The firefighter is vying for a one-year council seat
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
"The residents of Hightstown can simply look at the major change in the quality and property value of Westerlea and Deerfield Apartments and know that I am a man of action for the good of the community." – George Serrano
HIGHTSTOWN — Firefighter George Serrano, 50, is running on the Republican ticket for the one-year unexpired seat up for election on the Borough Council this November.
He became a Hightstown resident in 2004 and is the property manager of the Deerfield-Westerlea Arms apartments.
Mr. Serrano is a firefighter of Hightstown Engine Company #1.
He served as a sergeant in the United States Army and also participated in numerous military operations including Desert Storm.
"The residents of Hightstown can simply look at the major change in the quality and property value of Westerlea and Deerfield Apartments and know that I am a man of action for the good of the community,” Mr. Serrano said.
"My commitment is to contribute the same energy and involvement to the betterment of Hightstown.”
He is running against Democrat Gail Doran for the one-year seat. The seat was relinquished by Dimitri Musing earlier this year and is currently held by appointed Councilman Mike Vanderbeck.
Mr. Vanderbeck was unsuccessful in his petition to join the race in September after he missed a July amended statutory deadline for Independent candidates.
"As a resident of Hightstown, I have a vested interest in the town; I live here,” Mr. Serrano said. “My desire is to contribute to the future growth and prosperity of the town.
He said that the three most important issues facing the borough include: taxes, the quality of life, and code enforcement, which is the platform he and fellow Republican candidates Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin and newcomer John Archer, are presenting to voters this autumn.
Councilwoman Gilmartin and Mr. Archer are each running for one of the two three-year seats up on council.
On taxes, Mr. Serrano explained, “My primary goal is to stabilize our taxes by recruiting and encouraging retail (as well as) industrial growth in our town.”
He has held membership with the Overcrowding Committee and, today, is a member of the Hometown Harvest Fair’s Planning Committee.
On code enforcement, he said, “As a property manager and fireman, (codes) are my everyday involvement. I would look to ensure that codes are up to-date, new situations that may require new or changed codes are addressed and ALL codes are enforced across the board equally.”
Mr. Serrano was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and has two children and four grandchildren, according to his biography on www.movehightstownforward.com.
He attended Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.
"Mr. Serrano has lived in the community for a while and cares about the people and what goes on. He strongly believes in giving something back to the community,” his online profile states. “As a candidate George believes that he can bring a sense of willingness to the council members to make tough decisions; a desire to manage the taxpayers’ money as if it were (his) own; and the principles, trustworthiness and integrity to be a true public representative who listens to Borough residents and makes decisions in terms of what is best for our town.
"He also wants Hightstown to be a destination that is the envy of all others in the area. A downtown bustling with activity, schools where students can learn, and families and visitors can enjoy our beautiful natural environment. He also sees a town that can educate, develop, attract and retain the next generation of residents and business owners with the proper leadership.”
Election Day is Nov. 8.