Open space funds among top issues in county race

BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

Six candidates are vying for three seats on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Next week, voters will choose among them to fill two three-year terms and a one-year unexpired term.

A 27-year board member, Democratic Freeholder Director David Crabiel is running alongside retired county Sheriff’s Department Chief Millie Scott and incumbent appointee Robert Rios, who is looking to hold on to the seat left by now-county Administrator John Pulomena.

The Republicans are looking to gain some representation on a board that has consisted solely of Democrats for 13 years. They are Lynda Woods Cleary, a financial services consultant for her own firm; Daniel Kerwin, director of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers; and Robert Thuring, a Spotswood attorney who has practiced law at the municipal, state and county levels. Thuring seeks the unexpired term.

Crabiel said one of his major goals is to see the completion of a 180-bed extendedcare facility in Old Bridge, which, combined with a similar new facility in Edison, will bring a total of 360 beds for county residents in need of care.

“I’m proud of that, because it’s very much needed to help the seniors,” Crabiel said.

The 13-year freeholder director said more than 7,000 acres of open space have been preserved throughout the county, and he hopes to bring that total to 10,000.

While Cleary agreed that preserving open space is a laudable goal, she expressed concern regarding changes to the way open space funds are used.

“I guess deep down inside, I’m a conservationist,” Cleary said. “The way the funds are being distributed, I think, needs to be reviewed.”

According to Cleary, the money gleaned from taxpayers for open space is being used more often for improvement projects at recreational facilities instead of preserving areas for passive recreation, as was the original intent.

Crabiel refuted her claim, citing voter referendums that allowed for open space acquisitions at first, and then for use of the funds for other projects.

“We adhered to the vote of the people,” Crabiel said. “At this point, we’re doing more of the acquisition part, and less of the improvements.”

Kerwin, a public transportation advocate who supports the MOM (Monmouth-Ocean- Middlesex) rail line, said of the $33 million collected this year for the county open space fund, about $18.5 million will go toward purchasing land for preservation. He questioned an additional $5.65 million earmarked for “other expenses” and said he wants to ensure that open space funds are used for their intended purpose.

Cleary also said a more prudent approach could be taken in terms of open space acquisitions. She cited the purchase of properties that included large portions of wetlands, which environmental regulations would preclude from being developed anyway. Unless the price is right, she said, county officials should hold off on purchasing tracts for preservation for the time being.

“During these tight economic times, I don’t think we should be out looking to purchase more land,” Cleary said.

Both Rios and Scott said county residents have made it clear that they want officials to preserve open space, which the Democrats plan to continue. According to Scott, available grants will help officials to make further acquisitions.

“I think people have voiced their opinion on that, and that’s what they wanted,” Scott said. Thuring said considering the current economic slump, open space funding should take a back seat to more pressing matters. He proposed suspending the county open space tax for a period of time, until people have a chance to get back on their feet.

“You’ve got to prioritize where you’re spending, and some of the nice-to-have items might have to be put off,” said Thuring, a former deputy attorney general.

Crabiel called Thuring’s proposal to suspend the open space tax “unsound,” adding that voters would have to decide on it through a referendum.

The candidates also disagreed along party lines on taxes. While the Republicans said spending must be reined in because taxes are too high, Democrats touted a record of stabilizing taxes.

“Our freeholder director, he runs a tight ship,” said Rios, who is employed as a car man for Conrail. “And he’s very mindful. Fifteen years in a row, we’ve been able to stabilize taxes — that says something in itself.”

Thuring pointed out that the county tax bill has increased every year for the past decade, a total of 55 percent higher than it was at the beginning of that time period. The budget has increased by 62 percent over that time, he said.

“That just can’t continue in the current situation we’re facing,” Thuring said.

Crabiel held to the position that taxes have remained stable during his 16-year stint as chairman of the finance department. He said the equalized property tax has gone down for each of those years, and although Middlesex is the second largest county in the state, it has the second lowest taxes.

With increased taxes and a growing population, the cost of government naturally increases, Crabiel said.

He noted that the county has a triple-A credit rating. “Very few counties have that,” Crabiel said. “We do.”

Cleary, who said she wants to educate more people on what freeholders do and get them involved in the county government, pointed out that the board presides over a budget of $397 million. She stressed the importance of proper budgeting, which entails matching expenses with revenues, she said.

“It is not good public policy for a board to go on a spending spree … when everyone else is tightening their belts,” Cleary said.