Voters will head to the polls to cast their votes to re-elect Republican Mayor Owen Henry or to vote for change by electing Democrat and former police captain William “Bill” Cerra to a four-year mayoral term on Nov. 3.
Henry, who is seeking his second term as mayor of Old Bridge, said when he came into office in January 2012 he made a commitment to the residents of Old Bridge and he has delivered on his promise to improve the township through proper management and responsible financial planning.
“Over the last four years, we have been ‘battle tested’ and have emerged a stronger and better-prepared community due to hard work, professionalism, teamwork and the willingness to tackle difficult issues and to face challenges head on,” he said. “I am running for a second term as mayor to ensure that vital township programs and services continue to improve and that all decisions are being made with the best interests of the residents and taxpayers in mind.”
Owen Henry Henry said continued fiscal responsibility on the part of the township is paramount.
“It will allow us to continue down the road of improvement and provide additional opportunities to improve the quality of life for our residents,” he said. “The road to fiscal recovery was difficult and challenging, but the results speak for themselves, and people can see tangible improvements in all areas of our community.”
Henry said the township cannot afford to go back to the days of conducting business based on personal agendas, short-term decision making and special interests.
“I have proven that a town organization with strong leadership, professionalism and good financial standing can and will accomplish more for its residents,” he said. Henry has lived in the township for 54 years and has two adult children.
Bill Cerra He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial education from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and is the owner of Owen Henry Contracting Inc., based in Old Bridge.
He previously served on the board of education, planning board and related subcommittees as well as the environmental commission.
A lifelong resident of Old Bridge, Cerra is seeking his first term as mayor He is a retired Old Bridge Police captain with 33 years on the job. During the last 12 years, Cerra said he effectively ran the police department, making all budget decisions.
Cerra currently operates a privately owned real estate development company. He is married and has two adult children. Cerra said he was compelled to run for mayor after claims by Henry that a deficit he inherited when he took office required him to lay off 10 police officers.
“We now know that to be untrue,” Cerra said. “The deficit was really a surplus of $7 million according to Fitch Ratings Service [a report issued Oct. 11, 2012]. The layoffs have made the town less safe and led to a startling series of home invasions.”
Cerra said he is also concerned about the rise in taxes.
“When you isolate the portion of the budget that represents taxes, [it has] gone up every year since the current mayor has been in office,” he said. “The library remains in disrepair, stores remain vacant even with our ‘businessman’ mayor, and he and the council have inadequately addressed the heartbreaking problem of heroin-related abuse and deaths.”
Cerra said, if elected, his focus would be on taxes.
“I intend to cut the fat,” he said. “I will adequately pay all employees what they deserve but not overpay those who now work for Old Bridge and in some cases make a quarter of a million dollars a year.”
Cerra said he will start with his administration by not accepting a salary or paid medical benefits or use a township car.
“Finally, I will use those savings to hire more police officers to protect all of us and educate our children about the dangers of illegal drugs,” he said.
Cerra is a graduate of Cedar Ridge High School, which merged with Madison Central High to form the present-day Old Bridge High.
He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Middlesex Community College and a certificate in labor relations and negotiations from Rutgers University.
He is a gold life member and former vice president of PBA Local 127; previously served for 12 years as president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 22; is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Old Bridge; a member of St. Ambrose Knights of Columbus Council 6424; and is a parishioner and volunteer at St. Ambrose Catholic Church.
Cerra also coached Little League for 25 years for the Cheesequake Babe Ruth League and served for 18 years as league vice president.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.