By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — Despite different backgrounds and careers, the four candidates for Township Committee this year share a similar goal to make the township a better place to live.
Republican incumbent Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Democrats Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce, and Republican Gloria McCauley are running for two three-year seats on the Township Committee.
Matt Dawson
Matt Dawson, of Bloomingdale Drive, moved to Hillsborough in 2004 with his wife, Jennifer, after having already spent two years working for ConvaTec Inc., in Skillman, in medical device engineering, and later moving into consumer marketing.
”I have worked in this area for more than six years and grew up in Monmouth County,” he said.
Mr. Dawson said he received an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, and a master’s in business administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
After supporting and managing other campaigns with the township’s Democratic organization over the last four years, Mr. Dawson said he decided to step up and run his own campaign for a seat on the Township Committee.
”I began studying the issues and challenges facing our community,” he said. “Seeing rising taxes, improper tax assessments, increasing development and traffic, I became involved with the local Democratic organization to help enact the change that this town needs. After several years of involvement, I felt that this year was the year to step up and challenge the incumbent powers in our town.”
Mr. Dawson is a member of the Hillsborough Recreational Softball League, an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouting’s national honor society, in Mat awan.
Anthony Ferrera
Mayor Anthony Ferrera, of Hoagland Court, is serving his first three-year term. He was appointed to the committee in March 2004 to fill the unexpired term of John Souren until the November election, when he was elected to complete the final year of Mr. Souren’s term in November 2004. He was reelected in 2005, and subsequently served as deputy mayor in 2006 and mayor in 2007.
”When former Committeeman John Souren resigned in early 2004, I was asked if I was interested in being considered as a replacement,” he said. “I was excited by the opportunity to contribute more to my community, so I agreed. I’m glad I did. It’s been a great experience, and I’ve been very pleased to contribute more, in this role, to the township.”
Mayor Ferrera received a master’s in business from Steven’s Institute of Technology before joining with AT&T more than 20 years ago. He said he is currently the industry marketing director there.
Mayor Ferrera has lived in Hillsborough since 1991, and has two children, 9-year-old Danielle and 7-year-old Vincent. He serves on the board of directors for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), and is the fundraising chairman for the New Jersey OAR.
”I am a lifelong resident of Somerset County, and wanted to stay in Somerset County,” he said. “When looking for a place to live, I selected Hillsborough for many of the great things it has to offer, like open space, recreation, school system, services and great community pride.”
Mayor Ferrera served on the township’s Economic and Business Development Commission in 2003, and has served as a liaison to the Agricultural Advisory Committee, ATV Advisory Committee, Board of Education, Board of Ethics, Board of Health, Parks and Recreation Committees, Welfare/Social Services Department, Municipal Court and Police Department, among others.
Mayor Ferrera said he got involved in politics as a way to do service for the community.
”I grew up with a father and uncle who were police officers, so I think I’ve always been oriented toward community service,” he said. “In fact, I have been involved in such activities my entire life. Eventually, I developed an interest to extend my community service activities to local government.”
Manny Foranoce
Running for his first term on the Township Committee is lifelong resident Manny Foranoce, of Surrey Drive, who said that he has seen so many changes in Hillsborough over the years, and would like to make a difference to improve the township.
”A person has no real business to complain unless he or she does something about it,” he said.
Mr. Foranoce said he lives in his childhood home with his mother, Marylou, who he has helped care for since his father, Nicholas, died when Mr. Foranoce was 13.
After taking accounting classes for two years at Widener University, Mr. Foranoce said, he went to work for the Crisdel Group, of South Plainfield, as a shop steward for Teamsters Local 469 for 20 years, until he suffered an injury at work.
In 2002, Mr. Foranoce began work as a mortgage loan officer. He said he currently serves as the sales manager for the mortgage division with Citizens Community Bank in Morganville.
On Oct. 15, Mr. Foranoce said, he will receive an official endorsement for his candidacy from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
”When you have the Teamsters behind you, it’s a big deal,” he said.
Although he is running for his first term, Mr. Foranoce said his family has a background in local politics, as his father served as the head of the Democratic Club and was president of the Board of Health.
Mr. Foranoce said he is glad to have stayed in Hillsborough throughout his life and, when he shows homes around town, he said he fields questions about the school system, in addition to the atmosphere itself.
”This is a very attractive place, and a lot of people like staying in town,” he said. “Hillsborough is one of the best places to live. But it is hard to get on the list, and easy to fall off.”
Gloria McCauley
Gloria McCauley, who has lived in town since 1987, has served on several commissions and committees both in Hillsborough and the county since 2006, including the Economic and Business Development Commission, Capital Planning, Somerset County Planning Board and the Somerset Leadership Program.
”Being involved with the community and having the opportunity to serve on volunteer-based committees in the township are what motivated me to become involved with local government,” she said.
In addition, Ms. McCauley, of Bloomingdale Drive, said she served on the township’s Charter Study Commission prior to the 2007 elections.
”That opportunity gave me keen insight into the operations of municipal government,” she said.
Ms. McCauley, who has an associate degree in business management from Raritan Valley Community College, has worked as a licensed Realtor since 1999.
”I work for both buyers and sellers specializing in residential real estate and small businesses,” she said.
Ms. McCauley was one of the recipients this year of the Somerset County Outstanding Woman of the Year awards for public service.
Overall, Ms. McCauley said she just wants to do what she can to give back to the community.
”I have never considered myself a politician, more of a community leader who is passionate about where I live,” she said. “I want to give back to the community I reside in, and help maintain Hillsborough as one of the best small towns to live in.”
Elections will be held Nov. 4.
