HILLSBOROUGH: Tomson will be GOP candidate for Township Committee

In his new job, Committeeman Ferrera barred from running

By Andrew Corselli, Staff Writer
    Longtime resident Doug Tomson has thrown his hat into the ring to run for one of the two open seats on the Township Committee.
    “I’ve been a 30-year resident of Hillsborough. I was born and raised here,” he said. “I just want to give back to the community that’s given me so many opportunities. I really love my town and any way that I can keep volunteering for it is something I really enjoy and want to do.”
    Current committee member Anthony Ferrera is ineligible for re-
election after accepting a job with the N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
    “I’ve enjoyed being on the committee and working for the efforts of the town. I got to meet some great people,” he said. “I think over the years I’ve done some successful things in town that I’m really proud of. It’s been a great experience, and I’m leaving the door open for potential opportunities to get back into (politics) again. I’m in no way going to ride out into the sunset, that’s for sure.”
    In his position as director of the Division of Workforce Portfolio and Contract Management, which he began in July, Mr. Ferrera is prohibited from running as an elected official. He’s allowed to finish his term, which ends on Dec. 31, but cannot seek another one.
    “The department he’s in receives federal funding,” said Assemblyman Peter Biondi of Hillsborough. “Therefore it falls under what is called the Hatch Act and he is not allowed to run for elected office. It’s unfortunate. He’s done a fabulous job for Hillsborough. He’s going to be missed very much.”
    The other GOP candidate will be Mayor Gloria McCauley. She and Mr. Tomson were the only two candidates to be endorsed by the ýPage=001 Column=001 OK,0000.00þ
GOP screening committee.
    “I’ve known Gloria McCauley for years now. She’s a great mayor,” said Mr. Tomson, who is the Director of Government Affairs for the Realtors Association. “I’ve given my time on the Planning Board and Capital Planning Committee. I’ve got a real working knowledge of what our town needs for the future. I really want to see the implementation of the Route 206 bypass and implementation of our maps and our downtown Hillsborough.”
    Hillsborough Democrats don’t have any known candidates at this time. The filing deadline is Monday.
    Mayor McCauley did not return a phone call for an interview.