By MICHAEL NUNES
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — The township’s Republican party has put names forward for the two council seats and mayoral race in November.
Council Vice President James Wendell, who has served on the council for six years, has been selected to run for mayor, which has a four-year term.
“My platform is going to be primarily redevelopment of Route 18 and the surrounding areas of the town that are less performing,” Wendell said.
“As far as redevelopment goes, my first idea is to develop a special improvement district along the Route 18 corridor. … [A special improvement district] would allow us to make Route 18 a much more comfortable place to drive and shop,” he said, mentioning the success special improvement districts have worked in towns such as Rahway and Red Bank.
He also stated the need for the township to establish more shared service agreements with the East Brunswick Public School Board of Education.
“I think now with the new president of the Board of Education [Todd Simmens] and the new administration … we could allow for a lot more shared services between the township and the Board of Education,” he said.
The township’s Democratic Party nominated Brad Cohen, currently a member of the East Brunswick Board of Education, to run in November against Wendell.
Should Wendell win the election, the township’s Republican Party would have the opportunity to suggest replacements for his open council seat. If Cohen wins, he would be required to resign from his seat on the Board of Education.
Wendell is accompanied on the ticket by Jane Mueller, a realtor in the township, and Mark Csizmar, a 25-year member of the East Brunswick Police Department, who have been nominated by the party to challenge the two open three-term council seats.
Currently, the council has a 3-2 Republican majority supported by Wendell, Council President Michael Hughes and Councilwoman Camille Ferraro Clark. A Republican sweep would see the Republicans in control of all council seats and the mayor’s office.
The two council seats up for election are held by Councilman Michael Spadafino, who is seeking his second term this year, and Councilwoman Denise Contrino, who has opted to not seek re-election. Both are Democrats.
The township’s Democratic Party nominated Sterley Stanley to run with Spadafino during the June 7 primary.
