BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MONROE — Two candidates are vying for the one-year unexpired term for the Ward 2 seat on the Township Council.
Blaise Dipierro, who was appointed in January to fill the position vacated by Gerald Tamburro when he became mayor, will face Republican challenger Martin Herrmann.
Dipierro, who is seeking his first elected term, was born and raised in Monroe. He noted that his family has lived on the same land for more than 100 years. He and his wife, Audra, have three children, ages 18, 16 and 12.
His father, Michael Dipierro, served as a Monroe Township councilman for 29 years and was elected as mayor in 1969.
He himself is a Monroe Township High School graduate. Last December, he retired after serving 25 years in law enforcement — five years with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office and 20 years with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, retiring as a detective.
“I spent my career working in the investigation of elder abuse, domestic violence, narcotics, intelligence and special victims,” he said.
Dipierro said secondary to his job with the Prosecutor’s Office, he has owned a successful, local landscaping business since 1985.
“Here in the community, I have coached our son’s baseball and basketball teams in the township Recreation program,” he said. “I am a former board member of the Monroe Industrial Commission and I previously served on the board of the Monroe Township Utility Authority. I currently serve as the council liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Americans with Disabilities Act Commission.”
Dipierro said he is proud to serve the residents of Ward 2 as their councilman.
“The challenges that lie ahead demand experienced and responsible leadership, especially balancing our taxes with our outstanding services – police, EMS (emergency medical services), parks, recreation teams, senior activities [and] open space management — that our residents have come to love in Monroe Township,” he said. “I have proven myself to be an accessible and trustworthy public official. Living here my whole life, I believe I have the knowledge and experience to represent the second Ward residents, like my father before me, as we strive to meet their future needs.”
Dipierro said he believes that continuing to provide a safe and financially sound community is the highest responsibility an elected official has.
“I will continue to work with the mayor and council to maintain one of the lowest municipal tax rates in Middlesex County by controlling our municipal spending and demanding efficient management of our municipal departments,” he said. “Monroe Township has been recognized as one of the safest communities in the country, and as a retired law enforcement officer, I am proud to stand with our police department as they serve and protect our residents.”
Herrmann, who is seeking his first term on the council, is a 12-year resident of the township. He has two children, ages 13 and 10. He earned his degree in business and public administration from the College of New Jersey.
He is the owner of an investment firm, Martin Herrmann Investment Advisors & Associates.
He has coached travel baseball and lacrosse, is a member of the Student Growth Advisory Committee, treasurer for Monroe Baseball and treasurer for Monroe’s Local Business Owners Network.
Herrmann ran for mayor last year and decided to continue to help his community by running for the council seat.
“Last year I lost the mayoral election by approximately 1,000 votes,” he said. “I wanted to continue to help serve the residents of Monroe Township. People are upset with the increased spending in local government and the burden of increased taxes. We need a balance in local government.”
Herrmann said currently the Township Council has five Democrats and one Republican.
“Regardless of your political party, good government is a balanced government,” he said.
He said his financial background will allow him to make sound financial decisions regarding municipal spending.
“In addition, the overgrowth of residential building in Monroe has put a burden on our senior communities,” he said. “They are being taxed out of the township where they chose to retire. I plan to work with the Planning Board and builders to create ‘smart building’ to help reduce the overcrowding of our schools.”
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 8.
Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com.
