Committee hopefuls meet with the public

Cranbury Republicans and Democrats agree on what it takes to get the job done.

By: Jessica Beym
   Half way through this year’s Candidates’ Night, one simple question seemed to lighten the mood. "In a small town like Cranbury, just what is the difference between being a Republican and a Democrat?" asked Peter Turner of North Main Street.
   In any other election, Mr. Turner’s question may have been answered with a complex description of political beliefs, national history, and a clear distinction between the two parties. But for the candidates Wayne Wittman, a Republican, and Angie Cook, a Democrat, who are running for an open three-year seat on Cranbury’s Township Committee, their answers were something they both agreed upon.
   "Experience, values and the things you do on a day to day basis is what defines you," said Mr. Wittman. "Candidates have to distinguish themselves on what you see and what you hear. Not if we’re a Republican or a Democrat."
   Ms. Cook said she couldn’t agree more.
   "I’m here to represent Cranbury and Cranbury issues," she said.
   Candidates’ Night, an annual event hosted by the Woman’s Club of Cranbury, was held Tuesday night in the Cranbury School cafeteria. The open forum style gave candidates a chance to introduce themselves and share their views, as well as field questions from the audience of almost 50 people before they vote on Nov. 8.
   Each candidate began with a five-minute speech in which they addressed issues they feel will be important to them if elected to the three-year term.
   Ms. Cook, a lifelong resident of Cranbury and member of the school’s PTO, stressed the importance of education and the relationship between the township and the school.
   "We are a town that values education. But like any major program spending tax money, we need to stay involved and monitor it," she said.
   Along with education, Ms. Cook said she would like to see businesses in the downtown grow and thrive through the help of the township. Meanwhile, she hopes to pursue open space preservation and keep up with growing traffic problems and public services.
   Neither candidate is shy of experience when it comes to knowing Cranbury.
   Mr. Wittman, who has been involved with local Cub and Boy Scouts, has been a Cranbury resident for 23 years. He was also a Township Committee member from 1993 to 1998 and served as mayor in 1999.
   Mr. Wittman said he wants to address issues such as affordable housing obligations, speeding, roadway conditions and the preservation of open space.
   "We need to actively seek farmers for open space," Mr. Wittman said.
   Above all, Mr. Wittman wants to extend the friendliness in town and establish stronger, more open relationships.
   "I will treat everyone with an unbiased view and work to meet the needs of the community," he said.
   The audience raised questions regarding property revaluation and taxes, progress of open space preservation, township plans and costs of affordable housing, and general fiscal expenditures.
   Wayne Cody of Adams Drive said he was worried about the revaluation and property taxes increasing.
   Mr. Wittman sympathized, saying everyone in town is generally scared of tax rates going up and the committee should explain to residents how the revaluation will affect them once it is complete.
   "We need to give concrete examples of what people can expect," he said. Ms. Cook handed out brochures that she collected from Town Hall that explained the tax reassessment process in detail.
   John Ritter of Plainsboro Road, wanted to know if there were particular pieces of property the candidates want to preserve for open space and if they were willing to exceed the budget to acquire more land.
   Ms. Cook said she values every piece of land considered for open space and going over the budget isn’t an issue to her, as long as the quality of life in Cranbury remains the same.
   "There is a direct correlation of what we build and what will come to our town and our school," said Ms. Cook.
   Mr. Wittman said the township must be able to balance the open space issue with the affordable housing obligation.
   "Anything we can do to lock up these farms is appropriate but we still must be fiscally responsible," he said.
   Both candidates agree that the township budget remains a constant concern. Patricia Thomsson, of Washington Drive, asked the candidates which areas they felt the township spends too much money on, and which areas in which they were satisfied.
   Ms. Cook said she is unsure of just how much money is being spent on public services such as the firehouse and police force and feels it is something that should be looked at.
   Mr. Wittman said he is concerned about money being spent on outside professional services and personnel within the township, but is pleased with the maintenance of parks and roads.
   Art Hasselbach of Route 130 asked if there is a possibility of bringing a municipal court back to town. The court was moved to Plainsboro in 1999 when both Mr. Hasselbach and Mr. Wittman were on the committee.
   Mr. Wittman said this is something that could be reconsidered once the new police station is open.