Craig making another
bid for freeholder seat
Former South Brunswick Mayor Roger Craig will be running for a seat on the Middlesex County Board of Free-holders, along with running mate Joseph Paone.
"We very much want to build the Republican name in Middlesex County as an alternative to the Democratic machine," Craig said. "We’ve been involved in the county, and we want an opportunity to change things from the pay-to-play standard."
The Democrats wield strong power in Middlesex County, according to Craig.
"It seems that you need to pay in order to function in Middlesex County," Craig said. "The freeholders have a $287 million county budget. Competition has always been the American way. It is time to point out to people the changes that need to be made."
Craig, who most recently served as a freeholder, filling Roger Daly’s term, said he saw some positive changes while serving on the board.
"One of the things I liked that has been added is our television coverage," Craig said. "The television coverage is a good thing because it shows everyone how the money is being spent. There is close to four-tenths of a billion being spent. There are choices at every turn, and some things need to go in a different direction. We need to have another voice present. There have been many rubber-stamped decisions because of the Democratic machine."
Paone works as an attorney in Woodbridge and formerly served on the Woodbridge Township Council. Craig said that he has great confidence in what Paone could do as a freeholder.
"He is a very bright guy and a very industrious man," Craig said.
As a freeholder, Craig said he tried to do some work to help the city of New Brunswick.
"We saw the opportunity to try and help people," Craig said. "We tried to get Head Start funding and put things together bit by bit. We tried providing jobs for residents who had housing being torn down. For some reason we received more opposition than help for reasons I couldn’t fathom. This is part of the solid Democratic machine."
Craig served as the mayor of South Brunswick in 1993 and 1994. He had served on the governing body from 1992 to 1997. Craig also served on the Board of Education from 1975 to 1978. He served as a freeholder in 1996, when Daly left to become a judge. Craig currently serves as the chairman of the Republican Party in South Brunswick. His term will be up in June.
Currently the Middlesex County Chosen Board of Freeholders are Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, Deputy Director Stephen J. Delina, Jane Z. Brady, Camille Fernicola, H. James Polos, John Pulomena, Christopher D. Rafano.
Crabiel and Fernicola will be defending their seats and will be running for re-election. Fernicola has served two terms as freeholder, while Crabiel served as freeholder for 22 years. He has served every year since 1978 with the exception of 1992-1993 when he was out of office.
Crabiel hopes the voters will support him.
"The voters have been good to me," Crabiel said. "I intend to campaign very hard. I hope the voters will support the Democratic Board of Chosen Freeholders."