Alvaro Gomez EDISON — The township has a new councilman.
Alvaro Gomez, 34, who has lived in the township for 10 years and has been involved with the Edison Democratic Organization for six years, was unanimously sworn in after being appointed by the rest of the council on Jan. 31.
Gomez takes the place of longtime Councilman Charles Tomaro, who resigned on Jan. 6 after being appointed to serve on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Tomaro took the place of Mildred S. Scott, who was elected sheriff.
Gomez, a finance controller for a private company, was among 11 Edison residents who filed applications with the Democratic organization for the seat. The council then selected him from among the top three candidates, which also included Mahesh Bhagia and Steven Nagel. Council members said deciding on one of the three final candidates was a tough one.
“These were three qualified candidates but, unfortunately, we have to go with one,” said Councilman Thomas Lankey. “I served the last year [with Gomez] on the finance committee, and I have been impressed by his dedication [to the committee] and with his finance education. … He has the ability to tear apart analysis, bring different ideas, and kind of bring a different perspective to the finance committee. … I feel he will do the same on the council.”
Council members urged the other candidates to continue to stay involved in the community.
Gomez thanked the council as well as the Democratic organization for believing in his abilities.
“I promise I will do the best that I can,” he said.
Gomez said serving on the council will give him the opportunity to give back to his community.
“I felt instrumental when the finance committee as a group moved forward with the zero-tax rate increase for last year’s budget, and I hope to continue to voice my opinion as we work on this year’s budget,” he said.
Gomez, who also sits on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, said the township faces challenges with the current economic conditions.
“We need to find a way to stabilize the finances in the township,” he said. “My objective going forward is to make the best decisions that will not only benefit the township, but also benefit the taxpayer.”
Gomez will have to seek election later this year in order to serve the remainder of Tomaro’s four-year term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2013.
The council’s vote to appoint Gomez was 3-0. Councilman Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad abstained from the vote, and Councilman Wayne Mascola was not present.