Politics & Government

Primaries Start Local Candidates on Road to November Elections

Uncontested primaries for Democrat, GOP Borough Council hopefuls.

While today's primary elections for Madison Borough Council are uncontested for the Republican and Democratic parties, the candidates on both sides are keenly aware of the start of the journey to the general elections in November.

As residents head to the polls between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., some of the candidates touched on issues of high importance for borough voters in interviews with Patch.

"As we all know, we are still in a difficult economic time. Those with income are not seeing as much growth as before, and others are still looking to replace lost income," said former council member and corporate attorney Martin Barbato, who is running on the GOP ticket with Robert Landrigan, head of the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. "Relatively low inflation (except for gas) is not enough to make up the difference."

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"On top of this, certain costs of government are still rising faster than inflation, while the aid from the State — either directly to the municipality or indirectly through property tax rebates — has been reduced," he said. "Because of all of this, a major expectation of the residents is for the local government to maintain the level of requested services while controlling the costs of those services.  We can best meet this expectation with skill, experience, and a certain amount of creativity."

Democratic candidate Bob McDowell, a retired executive who ran unsuccessfully for Council in 2010, also said municipal spending issues are uppermost in voters' minds. He is on a ticket with local realtor znd former council member Carmela Vitale.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The voters we've spoken to are all interested in spending money wisely and maintaining important service levels in police, fire, road maintenance and library," said McDowell. "They have a great deal of pride in the town and think it is a wonderful place to live. They would like the town government to be more transparent with full information on all major initiatives provided in one spot for information purposes."

Because the local elections—barring a late surge of write-ins—are uncontested, voter turnout is expected to be light, something with whichb local leaders are concerned.

"While there is a contested GOP primary at the Senate and Freeholder levels, most voters, with the exception of the diehards, are apathetic and do not know who their legislator is or what a freeholder does," said Mayor Mary-Anna Holden, who will face Democratic challenger Robert Conley as she seeks a second term in November. "Coming back from a recent New Jersey conference, I find this is true state-wide. They may want to affect a change in policy but rarely know anything about their county government or how the legislature operates (or dithers). "

"We need to do a better job educating and enthusing the public so that they feel included and that their vote matters."

Polls in Madison are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Here's a list of polling places and their districts:

New Life Fellowship
203 Green Avenue
Fellowship Hall
Districts 1 and 9

North Star Athletic Club
95 North Street
Front Entrance Room
Districts 2, 4 and 10

Grace Episcopal Church
4 Madison Avenue
Grace Hall
Districts 3, 7, 11 and 12

Madison Public Library
39 Keep Street
Chase Auditorium
Districts 5 and 13

Madison Housing Authority
15 Chateau Thierry
Community Room
Districts 6 and 14

Madison YMCA
111 Kings Road
Front Left Lobby
District 8


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