NORTH BRUNSWICK – Republican newcomers George Callan and Mayra Pais will challenge incumbent Democrats Bob Corbin and Bob Davis for two, three-year terms on the North Brunswick Township Council.
Callan has lived in North Brunswick for 33 years. He is an auction specialist who is a former member of the North Brunswick Board of Education from 2010-14.
His focus for his campaign is on taxes and spending.
“Taxes are driving away families who have lived here for many years. The way to improve this is to reduce the budget and identify opportunities to eliminate spending that is only being implemented because it has existed for decades. If we can’t cut taxes, those who pay them can always move away,” he said.
In the same vein, he said officials must challenge the notion that spending more is an investment that will yield improved results.
“We have an opaque system that does not measure what is being achieved by government. If we trust our elected representatives to carefully consider the needs of North Brunswick, then any budget expense ought to have a goal to strive towards. Simplify how the budget is distributed. Show voters where money will be spent, explain why it is needed, demonstrate a measurement system that will show whether goals have been met.
“It is my opinion that our budget could be cut 5 percent per year for 10 years straight without much loss of community welfare. The people who are paying taxes need to see why they are constantly paying more money. The jobs being created to spend budget funds are not helping the taxpayers as much as a dramatic reduction in taxes would help them,” he said.
He said he would also concentrate on leading by example if elected.
“[O]ur society does its best when government is small, courteous and careful about expecting citizens to fund their budget. We have existed with the bullying nature of a large government that demands funds and compliance with absurd regulations. AT&T moves to Dallas when New Jersey becomes too much of a burden; other great employers leave and we are left with part-time jobs that pay not enough to fund the government. We have to give employers a reason to invest here. Trader Joe’s is a great company, but so was Barnes & Noble. Why did they leave North Brunswick? Why did Coca-Cola leave to re-locate in South Brunswick? If municipal government is offering the best jobs in town, then we have a fundamental problem. It needs to be addressed.”
Corbin has lived in North Brunswick for 38 years. He is an attorney who has served as a Democrat on the North Brunswick Township Council for five terms.
He was a soccer coach and Little League coach when his children were young. He is a member of American Legion Post 25 and an exalted ruler and trustee for New Brunswick Elks Lodge No. 324.
Corbin plans to focus on moving toward the completion of the MainStreetNB transit village project if elected, “as this will increase the tax base within the town and attract more business,” he said.
If re-elected, he also wants to “continue to work toward efficient public services while reducing the cost of the same” and to “continue to provide those services and events that make North Brunswick a safe place and enjoyable place to live and raise a family.”
Davis, a Democrat, has lived in North Brunswick for 42 years.
He is the owner of RLL Associates LLC, a marketing and advertising company he founded in 2003.
He started in public office as a member of the North Brunswick Planning Board and served for more than 10 years.
“I am proud of the fact that I was one of the initial council people who helped lead the efforts to build a new New Jersey Transit train station and transit village, which is already boosting commercial investments and property values,” he said.
As the incumbent Democratic councilman, Davis has served as council vice president and council president during his five terms in office.
“I am very proud to have served the residents of North Brunswick regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.
Davis is the council liaison to the North Brunswick Sept. 11 Committee and the Community Relations Committee. He was recently appointed to the North Brunswick World War I Centennial Committee.
“One of the programs that I’m most proud of is the naming of our township streets after local veterans, honoring their service to our hometown and country,” said the veteran himself.
He has also been a member of the Adams Athletic Club for more than 20 years and currently serves its chaplain.
Davis said he believes public safety is an important issue, noting that additional officers are added each year, and thus the crime rate has decreased every year over the past eight years, including a 7 percent decrease in the past year alone.
If re-elected, he said he would focus on increasing ratables to continue to stabilize the budget, streamlining where possible.
He said he would also like to increase programs for youth and seniors.
“With the success of these three issues through hard work, plus many more achievements of our mayor and my fellow council people, I will continue the path we have taken for our township that has grown more and more successful. I will never just sit back with the status quo but will always be working for the residents of North Brunswick,” Davis said.
Pais, a Republican, has lived in North Brunswick for almost two years and works as a legislative correspondent/attorney. She has participated in the “Pursuit of Justice” event and assisted the seventh and eighth annual Purse Auction benefiting the YWCA Domestic Violence Legal Center.
“The issues that are most important to me is transparency, producing clear effective communication about issues directly affecting our community such as new businesses and new construction.
Another important issue is to achieve a diverse council by reaching across party lines, she said.
“Lastly, I believe it’s important to create an open dialogue, free of politics. I plan to achieve these goals if elected by creating an atmosphere by which both the people of North Brunswick and township council can effectively discuss issues regardless of party affiliations or previous politics. I believe that once we isolate the issues from the politics we can directly begin to form a plan to resolve anything affecting our community,” she said.
Election Day is Nov. 7.