Write-in, independent jump in
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Suddenly, a three-way race for Hillsborough Township Committee has grown to embrace five candidates.
In addition to Republican incumbents Carl Suraci and Bob Wagner, Democrat Michael Goldberg has a running mate nominated by write-in in Tuesday’s primary election.
He’s Jim Farley, a lifelong resident of the township, a 40-plus year member of the Fire Department and a former fire chief, a past school board member and retired federal government employee.
There’s also an independent candidate in landscaper Judd Mandell, who organized an effort to garner 123 signatures in a little more than one day, enough to meet the 100-signature requirement to gain a spot on the November ballot. His ballot slogan will be Helping Hillsborough’s Future, he said.
Two people will be elected to three-year terms in November.
Mr. Farley, who finished third behind Mr. Suraci and Mr. Wagner in the 2009 Township Committee race, got 45 write-in votes, far more than the minimum of 15 to gain a nomination. Meryl Bisberg got 20 write-ins, too, as Mr. Goldberg — who was n the ballot — got 701.
Mr. Suraci got 1,205 votes and Mr. Wagner, 1,199, to secure Republican nominations.
Mr. Mandell, 38, said he wanted to offer a fresh start and increase awareness to keep the township operating on a high level now and for future generations.
For instance, he said, he would send Public Works employees for training in how to maintain and anticipate problems with the township’s open space. Dealing with insect infestation and use of pesticides came to mind, he said.
He’s been active as a recreation coach, hiker, bicycle rider and teacher of programs in schools. In April, his firm, Landscape Better, put together an Arbor Day program at Woodfern School, he said.
Mr. Farley, 61, is retired from working for the United States government. In his last job, he was employed at the former Veterans Administration depot facility on Route 206 for 27 years.
An Air Force veteran, Mr. Farley began his career as a high school science teacher in Somerville.
Following that, he began working as a federal firefighter for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1980, working his way through the ranks until he retired in 2007 from his position as the depot manager with the Department of Defense’s National Stockpile Center.
Mr. Farley is now a certified chimney sweep with his own business, Top Hat Chimney Sweep, as well as a part-timer for McPuff Chimney Services.
In community life, Mr. Farley is a 42-year life member of the Hillsborough Fire Company No. 1 and a past chief. He served on the Board of Education from 1990 to 1993 and was a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment from 1983 to 1985. Mr. Farley is also a member of the Flagtown Residents Association and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.
In other results, Hillsborough Democrats added to the overwhelming margin of victory for Marie Corfield in the 16th Legislative District. Ms. Corfield, a teacher who ran unsuccessfully last fall, had 566 votes in Hillsborough to 192 for Sue Nemeth, former Princeton Township mayor.
Hillsborough Republicans helped two-term Congressman Leonard Lance beat back a challenge from conservative businessman David Larsen to capture the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District. Rep. Lance outpolled Mr. Larsen, 858-518, in Hillsborough. State Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, of Franklin Township (Somerset), was unopposed to become his Democratic challenger.

