Although Election Day arrives in November, I must add my voice now to those who strongly support Jim Phillips for mayor of Old Bridge.
I have worked with Jim in the past as a member of the local municipal utilities authority and also as a member of the county authority, and my experience with him is that he brings a high level of professionalism to any problem he tackles.
Twenty years ago, as a result of Jim Phillips’ diligence, foresight and responsibility in the face of political criticism, he was one of the people responsible for the township of Old Bridge’s agreement with the Middlesex Water Company to provide water for the township. As a result, during last year’s drought conditions, Old Bridge had plenty of water, thanks to that agreement.
When Old Bridge’s water and sewer utilities were separate entities, it was Jim Phillips who saw the financial savings that could be accrued by combining those into what is now the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority, and it was he who helped bring together important improvements to make the marriage possible.
The merger of the water and sewer authorities also spawned political criticism, but Jim Phillips was responsible and courageous enough to stay the course. The result is the existence of an efficient MUA, one whose rates are lower than many townships in the area.
It is that courage, responsibility and clarity of purpose to get the job done that will make Jim Phillips an excellent mayor of Old Bridge. He has already committed to a new master plan to curb the overdevelopment that is choking our town, and his past experience will help him develop cooperative plans for shared services with neighboring communities to facilitate more cost savings for Old Bridge.
As a certified chief municipal financial officer, Jim Phillips has both the experience and the courage to do what is necessary to save our taxpayers money. His responsible solutions to Old Bridge’s problems make him the most qualified individual to become the next mayor of Old Bridge.
So instead of dwelling on the negativity of other campaigns, all I ask is that the voters of Old Bridge listen to Jim Phillips, examine Jim Phillips, question Jim Phillips and put him to the test. In the end, residents will realize what I have come to know through working with the man. Jim Phillips is a responsible, courageous, caring man who truly has your best interests at heart. He’s one of us. He sits in the same traffic, shops at the same stores and gets angry at the same township problems.
Send Old Bridge a message. You’re mad as hell, and you’re not going to take it anymore. Support Jim Phillips for mayor of Old Bridge and vote for him in November. He’s the right man for the job.
Frank DiNinno
Old Bridge