SAYREVILLE – Two Democrats and two Republicans are seeking a pair of three-year terms on the Borough Council in Sayreville this year. Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 7.
Republicans Paul Campagna and David Pawski are seeking the seats currently held by Democrats Victoria Kilpatrick and Mary Novak, who are both seeking re-election.
Making his first bid for public office, Campagna also serves as the chairman of the Main Street Bypass Committee.
“We’ve been going in the wrong direction for some time now,” Campagna said. “Business is leaving, roads and infrastructure are falling apart and yet the biggest concern of some of the council members is appointing jobs for their family. I plan to do everything in my power to right the ship and starting putting Sayreville first again.”
Campagna has worked in the video game industry for 15 years and currently holds the position of director of production and development. He has previously held the positions of information technology manager and director of technology.
“I intend on utilizing my technology background to come up with cost-saving ideas to improve communication in the borough, create better efficiency between departments and modernize and digitize records for convenience,” he said.
Issues that Campagna said he intends to address if elected include improving the Borough Council, taxes and a population increase in Sayreville.
“What we need first is to get the council working for the people again,” he said. “Nothing in this town will change or be addressed if the status quo continues. With that being said, the borough taxpayers are paying for everything in town at the moment. By bringing in a grant writer who can take advantage of programs which we quality for, we can begin to save money and redirect that much needed money for neglected parks and infrastructure.
“My biggest concern is the population increase we have heading our way and what impacts that will have on local traffic, infrastructure and our school system.”
A member of the council since 2015, Kilpatrick serves as a liaison to the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency, as well as vice president on the Sayreville Education Association.
“As a lifelong resident of Sayreville, mother of two, teacher and coach, I am seeking re-election this year to make sure that the future of Sayreville is one that we can continue to be proud of and live in,” Kilpatrick said. “I want to remain on the council to continue my efforts to improve our roads, beautify our parks, slow the rate of development and provide opportunities for our children, seniors and young families that would strengthen our sense of community and togetherness.”
Kilpatrick has worked as a language arts teacher in the Sayreville School District for 17 years and currently teaches sixth grade students at the Sayreville Middle School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education.
“As a teacher, I have a natural desire, willingness and curiosity to learn and explore new and engaging ways to solve problems, listen and communicate with others and bring people together,” she said. “I believe that the same passion and strengths that I bring to the classroom to help our students learn everyday are the same strengths that I bring to the Borough Council. I am a lifelong learner and believe that a good leader takes the time to look at all possibilities.”
Issues that Kilpatrick intends to continue to address if re-elected are overdevelopment and road improvement projects, she said.
“Over the next three years I believe the most pressing issues facing Sayreville will be the effects that overdevelopment will have on our aging infrastructure, school population and overall quality of life,” she said. “If re-elected, I would first address this problem by reexamining the proposed housing plan looming over our town and insisting that open, transparent and public meetings be held with all boards, agencies and residents in order to have their voices heard.
“Additionally, I would continue to advocate for much-needed road improvement projects to be funded and cost-sharing plans, grants and interlocal agreements put in place to help mitigate the cost burden on taxpayers.”
Novak was a member of the Borough Council from 1995 to 2000 and rejoined the council in 2012. A resident of Sayreville for 40 years, she has served on the Recycling and Open Space commissions and is currently the liaison to the Human Relation Commission and the Office on Aging. She is retired and is a past president and life member of the Sayreville Emergency Squad.
If re-elected, issues that Novak said she intends to continue to address are aging infrastructure, improving the borough’s parks, shared services and zoning ordinances.
“For years, the council ignored the aging roadways and storm sewers,” she said. “We have been moving forward with an aggressive plan to restore the infrastructure. I want to insure the progress continues. Putting these projects off only costs more money in the long run and decreases property values.
“I look forward to working with the county grant programs to improve our parks and shared services with neighboring towns is high on my agenda. I would like to review our zoning ordinances as they pertain to fences, pools and sheds to see if it is possible to make them less onerous for home owners.”
A candidate for Middlesex County Sheriff in 2016, Pawski is making his first bid for Sayreville Borough Council.
“Sayreville has a rich history of industry and community,” Pawski said. “In recent years, there has been a shift in the atmosphere of our town due to personal agendas from our elected officials. I believe in what Sayreville once was and want to try and make it that way again. Most of the residents in town know people who have decided to leave due to it not being the same place, lack of attention to our infrastructure, mismanagement of money or because of the ever-increasing taxes.”
Pawski is currently a sheriff’s officer with Middlesex County, a position he has held for eight years, and previously served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years, where he completed two overseas tours and responded to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“I feel that my experience can bring many positives to our town,” he said. “I am a natural leader, one that believes in accountability with a true foundation of strength, effectiveness and trust. The best ideas and plans come when everyone has input and works together, something this town has not seen in a very long time. I learned how to make difficult decisions in high stress situations and that every decision I make not only affects me, but everyone else around me.”
If elected, issues that Pawski said he intends to address are spending, bringing in new businesses and infrastructure.
“One issue is reckless spending,” he said. “Right now, every service that is provided by the borough is paid for by the residents of Sayreville. In the 2018 budget, a new Department of Public Works garage is listed at a cost of $13 million. Why should the residents of Sayreville foot the bill when it can be built for a quarter of that price?
“Sayreville had a booming industrial presence, but recently the lack of businesses in our town has done nothing but contribute to rising taxes. Sayreville should actively seek new business, rejuvenate our Main Street and develop a Business Welcoming Committee.
“Another is infrastructure,” Pawski said. “From the condition of the roads to the graffiti covered dilapidated parks, our town has been neglected for too long. If you don’t invest in the infrastructure and appearance of Sayreville, you end up paying a price in morale and the cost to fix it.”
