John Souren, Dr. Steven Sireci
and John Gelardi file for race
By:Alec Moore
One incumbent and at least two newcomers to the political arena will be vying for two open Township Committee seats that will be up for election in November.
Democrats currently control the committee with a 4-1 margin, but Republicans could regain control of the committee with a victory by both GOP candidates John Souren and Dr. Steven Sireci in November’s pivotal race.
For the Democrats, Deputy Mayor John Gelardi will be seeking re-election to a second term on the committee; however, Committeewoman Christine Jensen has decided not to seek a second term due to career demands and the broken ankle she suffered in January.
The question of whether the Democrats will field a second candidate in this year’s race is unknown and Democratic officials remain tight-lipped as to who, if anyone, will be running for the second open seat on the committee.
Monday is the filing deadline for candidates seeking to run in the Republican and Democratic primaries and the general election. Independents have until June 4 to file.
The 57-year-old Mr. Gelardi indicated that he hopes to control growth, preserve open space and the Sourland Mountain region and work toward the development of a new township Master Plan.
Mr. Gelardi also indicated he would like to see Hillsborough expand its base of tax ratables, not in the form of shopping centers and strip malls, but rather in the form of small office complexes. He added that he also hopes to continue working toward the removal of the mercury stored by the federal government at the Somerville Depot on Route 206.
"I’m very proud to be running again. I was elected to do a job and I want to continue to do that job," he said.
The 43-year-old Dr. Sireci, a medical radiology specialist who has lived in Hillsborough for five years, said his decision to run stems from his desire to ensure that Hillsborough remains an exceptional community. He said he believes that taxpayers have suffered under the rule of the Democrats, who currently hold four of the five seats on the committee.
"I’m not happy about the direction things have been going in this town and I want to do something about it," said Dr. Sireci, who cited increased fiscal responsibility and stabilizing property taxes as being among his primary concerns.
Dr. Sireci, who lives on Rohill Road, also hopes to strengthen the township’s efforts to acquire land for open space preservation.
Dr. Sireci is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and currently serves on the township’s Cultural Heritage and Arts Commission and the Somerset County Board of Social Services. Dr. Sireci also previously served on the Washington Township Board of Health for two years.
John Souren, also a five year resident of the township, said that out of control spending and an unjust system of home reassessments are what compelled him to seek election this year.
The 34-year-old Mr. Souren, who works in the field of technology management, said he believes that examining the township’s operations from a business perspective will greatly reduce spending while improving efficiency.
"I like to look at things from a business approach," said Mr. Souren, who supports increased land acquisition for open space preservation and said the township’s current land acquisition, and preservation measures have become weak and inadequate.
Mr. Souren, who lives on Runyon Street, is a graduate of Penn State University and holds bachelor’s degrees in business management and computer science. He currently serves on the township’s Cultural Heritage and Arts Commission and the Somerset County Board of Economic Development.