Drake, DelCore file for November race.
By: Purvi Desai
One issue that won’t be a bone of contention between Democratic Township Committeeman Paul Drake and Republican challenger Frank DelCore in the fall campaign will be the Route 206 bypass project.
Both candidates said completion of the bypass should be a priority for the township during interviews after their candidacies were announced by their respective political parties this week.
Frank DelCore, 41, of Hoagland Court, said his exposure over the last couple of years to some municipal workings, as a member of the Planning Board, Capital Planning Commission and the Recreation Commission have motivated him to run against Mr. Drake for a Township Committee seat.
"I’ve been involved in the last couple of elections (as a campaign manager,) working with Committeemen Carl Suraci and Bob Wagner," he said, on Wednesday,.. "Also, before, I worked with Mayor Anthony Ferrera and Deputy Mayor Lisa Nisivoccia. It has kind of given me a pretty good insight on how the municipal process works. I think there’s more than I can do and more that I am willing to do. The Township Committee is best way that I can give back to the community."
Mr. DelCore said that he has been very interested in a couple things related to some of the commissions he has worked with.
"I really want to see the new Recreation Center," he said. He added developing plans for recreational uses at the GSA Belle Mead Depot have to be a top priority for the township. "I think it is the right location for us. I’d really like to see that whole project come into fruition."
In addition, Mr. DelCore said he want to see the Route 206 bypass completed.
"The Route 206 traffic has been a problem for a long time now," he said. "It has been in the works for such a long time. We really need to get that project started and to work with the DOT. We need to work to get something that works for all of us."
Mr. DelCore said he has lived in town for six years. "My wife and I have two little girls," he said. "This is where we want to grow our family and keep our roots for awhile."
Mr. DelCore said he has lived in Central Jersey all his life and currently works as the director of customer finance and credit for Alcatel Lucent in North America.
Mr. Drake, 41, will be seeking re-election for his second term he won a close election over Tony Gwiazdowski in 2004.
"Paul personifies all the qualities of a great committeeman: valuable experience, good ideas for saving money, a strong work ethic, a vision for the future, ability to build consensus and total accessibility," said Michael Goldberg, the Democratic Party’s vice chairman, in a press release. "We are proud to nominate Paul and look forward to an issue-driven campaign and his re-election in November."
Mr. Drake, of Balmoral Court, said he is looking forward to continue connecting with Hillsborough residents as he has in the past two years, if re-elected. He said that even though he’s the only Democrat on the Township Committee, he has been "very fortunate" to be able to work well with the four other Republican committee members.
"In some municipalities it could be a problem; I don’t think I’ve experienced that in Hillsborough," he said. "It doesn’t mean we agree with everything."
Mr. Drake said that if he is re-elected, some of his goals will include getting an acceptable Route 206 Bypass design from the state Department of Transportation, strongly supporting the Town Center and Main Street plan, and, as a professional planner, to continue studying how growth and development have affected the township.
He elaborated that the Town Center and Main Street plan aims to achieve a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use design for downtown Hillsborough. Mr. Drake said his other goals will include looking at Hillsborough’s open space goals, farmland acquisition, and controlling growth where necessary.
"We’re continuing to look to the DOT to come to their conclusions about the bypass and advance the designs that will work for the township," he said of the Township Committee. "The (initial) design they proposed was too expensive."
Mr. Drake said he plans to challenge many costs on the budget. "The overall budget has gone up each year," he said, adding he will exercise his role as a Democrat to continually provide a system of checks and balances upon the Township Committee. "I certainly feel it is my obligation."
"I’m sort of looking forward to campaigning," Mr. Drake said. "Campaign seasons tend to be eventful in Hillsborough. I know my opponent will run a challenging campaign. They are often well organized, and targeted on their issues."

