At Gregory Bennett (D) Seeking three-year term Bennett, 43, has a wife, Mary Pat Bennett, and stepson, John Dunay, 22. He is employed as a lieutenant with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Depar tment. He has lived in Helmetta for 10 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Dayton, Ohio. He is assistant fire chief for the Helmetta Fire Department, was fire chief from 2005 to 2007, and has been a member since 1998. He has been deputy coordinator of the Helmetta Office of Emergency Management since January 2007 and an instructor for the Middlesex County Fire Academy since 2003. What are your thoughts about the work of the current governing body and its decisions on borough matters?
Bennett: The current municipal council has largely been in place for a number of years. During the past few years, taxes have skyrocketed and the redevelopment of the mill has stagnated. I do not think that these two issues are unrelated. Constant delays and changes to the development of the mill have caused it to stall in a bad economic climate, and much-needed tax stabilization has suffered. The council needs to do a much better job of overseeing this and other tax-beneficial projects.
Sewell HF Peckham* (I) Seeking three-year term Peckham, 65, has two grown children, Dawn and Eric, and five grandchildren. He is a retired carpenter from Local No. 1006 of the Carpenters Union, Milltown. He has been a Helmetta resident for 18 years. He has served on the borough Planning Board for the past five years and on the Borough Council for the past three years. He is the Community Development Block Grant representative and personally donates funding for the borough Web site, www.helmettaboro.com, which he also maintains. He is active in all borough recreation projects and started Movie Night for the kids, for which he runs the projector. Peckham: I believe the present governing body is doing their best, making sure the borough citizens are getting great services while still holding down costs. The independent council members are dedicated to not only attending a monthly meeting, but volunteering their time and efforts making sure the recreation projects run smoothly, as well as holding down the costs. Being a council member is more than just attending a meeting once a month, and this is what the independent council members have dedicated themselves to.
Joseph J Perez (I) Seeking two-year term Perez, 37, has a wife, Laura, and two children, Ava, 4, and Dominic, 3. A cer tified public accountant, he has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He has lived in town for more than five years. He has served as a New Jersey Society of Cer tified Public Accountants (NJCPA) health care interest group leader, and a volunteer for town events. Perez: I believe that the current governing body has the best interest of the people when making decisions that affect the borough. They expend great effort on recreation activities, which I feel makes the town a great place to raise kids. They actively seek out grants and have done a good job stabilizing taxes.
Reid: Our current governing body isn’t being true to its foundation. The People’s Voice Party was started and elected because the previous administration was intolerant to views that were in conflict with theirs. Gradually, the “people’s party” has become the “Martin team.” The campaign slogan for the current administration was “If nothing changes, then nothing changes.” The only thing that has changed is the faces. A good governing body should consist of people who are for all the people, not just for the people who agree with them.
Thomas J. Reid (D) Seeking two-year term Reid, 52, has a wife of 23 years, Lisa, and four children, Thomas, John, Matt and Katie. He is an equipment operator for Local Union No. 825 of the Operating Engineers. He is a lifelong Helmetta resident and attended Jamesburg High School. He previously served a total of nine years on the Borough Council, including one year as council president, seven years as public safety chairman, and two years as representative to the Planning Board. He is a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a former member of the Helmetta Fire Department. Smith: I believe the current governing body has worked hard and is continuing to make solid decisions. The reduction of municipal debt, the work with the police chief to modernize the police department, seeking and receiving grants in order to fund improvements, and the redevelopment planning of the formerHelme snuff mill site are examples of the great work the independent members of the governing body have done. This also shows the “go-getter” attitude and independent thinking that have been part of my personal motivation to get involved.
Patrick J. Smith* (I) Seeking three-year term Smith, 38, has a wife, Kim Bohinski- Smith, and two children, ages 8 and 4. He is employed as a Jamesburg police officer and served as a Helmetta police officer from 1992 to 2001. He has lived in Helmetta for 10 years. He attended the Monmouth County Police Academy and has received professional education during his law enforcement career. He was appointed to the Borough Council in May. He served as a member of the Helmetta Board of Education from 2002 to 2004. Tancredi: Accountability. Helmetta has a strong council, weak mayor form of government. Each councilman chairs one committee and co-chairs another. For the past five years, this process has almost been completely ignored. Council members have been excluded from committees, council members have not received vital and pertinent information on a timely basis, and changes in personnel happen too frequently for a small borough. Decisions are being made for the benefit of the few, not for the whole town. Why is this?
Andrew Tancredi* (D) Seeking three-year term Tancredi, 38, is the owner of All-State Power Wash and manager for H&R Block, income tax specialist. He is a fifth-generation resident, residing in Helmetta since 1998. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Rider University, and holds a New Jersey real estate license. He is currently serving his third term as councilman for Helmetta and is a past council president, Planning Board representative, and Middlesex County HUD representative. He is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). What goals would you like to accomplish, if elected?
Bennett: I would like to get the redevelopment of the mill back on track. Also, I would like to take a hard look at the finances of the borough. I’m certain that there are areas of the budget where we can expand and contract to make the quality of life better for our residents. I would also hope to make the council more accountable to the citizens, and make the meetings more open to public input.
Peckham: I think one of our goals, when the housing market picks up (naturally), is to see the mill redevelopment project continue on the path to successful completion. No one could have foreseen the housing slump, but even though construction is stopped, we are still continuing ahead with all the permits and approvals necessary to complete the project and make it an asset to the borough.
Perez: My greatest goal would be to continue the good work of the current administration. I would like to see that the mill project gets new life. I would also like to see that the borough continues to make financially sound decisions in the best interest of Helmetta and its residents.
Reid: If elected, I will try my best to accomplish: 1) property tax relief through controlled spending and accountability; 2) reducing the water and sewer rates — make sure all revenues are applied to water and sewer accounts, and not the general fund; 3) examination of each department and employees to control overtime; 4) increase recreation for residents of all ages; 5) hiring of a business administrator whose main function is to run the borough like a business and save the taxpayers money.
Smith: If elected, I will continue the great work that has already been done. I will do all that I can to move the Helme plant project forward, but will never vote to allow any change from its current zoning. I will offer my experience to anyone who asks for it. I will always vote to keep taxes as stable as possible. This is a wonderful place to live, and I want it to stay this way while remaining affordable.
Tancredi: The successful completion of the snuff mill project is still my priority. This project will help stabilize our property taxes in this forever-changing world. Back in 1993 when the mill was closed, our tax ratable decreased. This led to Helmetta receiving extraordinary aid from the state with the understanding that the aid would not last forever. We need to make the snuff mill project a positive tax ratable again before the extraordinary aid is no longer there.
Why should people vote for you on Nov. 4?
Bennett: Leadership — it’s as clear as that. Helmetta needs many strong leaders to stand up and do the right thing. That is not the way it really is. We need strong leaders in all areas. Leaders need to have the strength of conviction. I believe I have demonstrated these skills. We need problem solvers and thinkers. I have done just that. I have led the fire department, and supervise in a large law enforcement agency. I have authored and received federal grants saving Helmetta residents hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is proven leadership. That is what we need in Helmetta. Peckham: Sometimes I ask myself why I want to continue on the council, and then I remember that youngster that comes up to me after a movie and says, “Thank you for running the movie tonight.” Maybe that is the only form of recreation this kid gets, or maybe it gives his parents a little breather. Whatever it does, I know that it was worth the effort. Or the senior citizen that stopped me in the post office and said, “Aren’t you the guy that runs the Web site?” and she tells me, “Thank you, that’s how I get most of my information, and I’m not able to go to the recreation events, but I can be there through the pictures you put on the Web site of my grandson.” That’s why I run.
Perez: People should vote for me because I have grown to love this town in the fiveplus years I have been here. I have come to understand what it means to be a part of a small town and community. I want to be part of the team that has a vision of making Helmetta a great place to live and raise kids. I believe that people who care can make a difference.
Reid: I believe in action, not excuses. When a problem arises, I have done my best to resolve the situations hands-on, not passing the buck or turning a deaf ear to the residents’ concerns. In my nine years of service as a former councilman, I was always accessible to the residents. I am a lifelong resident of Helmetta and wish to serve again to make Helmetta both an affordable and friendly community to live and raise a family.
Smith: I am a sincere and considerate person. I will never promise something I cannot actually deliver on. I say it like I see it, as politely as possible. I have a good understanding of local government. I am not wrapped up in big-party politics. I love living here.
Tancredi: Continued representation for all Helmetta residents, not a select few. Over the past nine years, I have demonstrated my leadership skills and ability to accomplish goals. Helmetta and the residents have received many great accomplishments with my help and dedication. All residents are now connected to city water and sewer, drink water from a new water tower, and walk on sidewalks for their safety, just for an example. Now let’s make the snuff mill project reality, not just another excuse.

