Phillips, Greene duke it out for mayor, again Three at-large council seats also up for grabs in November BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Richard Greene OLD BRIDGE - After a year off from municipal elections, Democrats and Republicans will do battle for control of the governing body in 2007. Democratic Mayor Jim Phillips is running to hold onto his post, challenged by Republican Councilman Richard Greene. The two also ran against each other in 2003 when Phillips was elected to his first term. Also in November, the three at-large terms on the nine-member Township Council will be up for grabs. Council President Patrick Gillespie and Councilman Edward Testino will seek re-election on a Democratic ticket that also includes Planning Board Chairman and former Councilman Larry Redmond. Redmond is running for the seat currently held by Democratic Councilman Dennis Maher, who did not file for re-election. On the Republican side, Brian Cahill, Solon Fotis and Owen Henry are seeking the at-large council seats. As Phillips nears the end of his first four-year term as mayor, he said he would like to finish the things he has started. James Phillips "I honestly believe that we have come too far to turn back now," Phillips said. "We've got a lot of seeds that have been planted, and I'd like to see them flower." Phillips, who works as the Middlesex County treasurer and previously served as an elected freeholder for five years as well as a senator, said he has three continuing goals to go forward with: ensuring public safety, caring for the children and senior citizens in the town, and controlling development. "We're being very stingy in our new approvals, and we hold the developers to the fire to live up to their commitments," Phillips said. He touted the fact that only 86 new homes have been approved in Old Bridge over the past three years. "This year's Democratic slate represents the very best of Old Bridge," Phillips said. "We are running on a solid record of expanding services, preserving open space and keeping taxes at bay. We want to build upon our record with new senior housing, expansion of commuter parking facilities and the completion of Mannino Park." Phillips resides with his wife, Janet, and is the father of three children - Jennifer, 27, Joanne, 26, and Jimmy, 20. Greene, a council member since 1999, said Phillips did not live up to his past campaign promises, and he would like to make a change. "His campaign was all about preserving open space and reducing taxes, and in the past four years that have gone by, I haven't seen any positive movement or plan in that direction," Greene said. Greene pointed out that Phillips wants to sell the 500-acre township-owned Crossroads property for development, and said he, unlike Phillips, does not believe that adding homes to the town will provide tax relief for residents. "I'm running for what I feel is the future of Old Bridge," Greene said. Along with preserving open space, Greene said he would like to see improvement in planning and services in the town. Another concern he voiced was with taxes, saying seniors and young families are being forced out of town because they cannot afford the tax rates. "We've got to do something about it," Greene said. A 28-year native of Old Bridge, Greene is a retired senior staff person for the New York City Council and has served on the township's Zoning Board of Adjustment. He resides with his wife, Patricia, with whom he has three children - Richard, 32, Kristen, 30, and Erin, 26. Gillespie, who served on the council from 1992 to 1996 before returning in 2004, said he wants to continue the work of the current administration. "I think we've been working as a team, and working very well," Gillespie said. "There is more to do." Employed as the deputy director for the Senate Majority staff, Gillespie has served as council president since 2006. He said he is happy to have been a part of bringing the town's police department to its full strength of 104 officers, and helping to control sprawl. A recent goal of Gillespie's has been to change the ordinance that deals with general development plans in the town, to place greater constraints on major developers. The concern comes as a result of three ongoing lawsuits with developers in the town, Gillespie said. "The land use issues are most important to me, and I'd like to continue what we started," Gillespie said. Living in Old Bridge since 1972, Gillespie now resides with his wife, Kris, and two daughters, Gabrielle, 9, and Chloe, 8. Cahill, a Republican, is making his second run for council after having been defeated narrowly for a ward seat in 2005. "Essentially, I'm running because I'm a little concerned about the direction the township has taken in a number of things - overdevelopment, fiscal responsibility, open government and the overall attitude of the town council," he said. Cahill said he is unhappy with the job the current administration has done, particularly in terms of preserving open space. "I feel I can do a better job of sticking to a master plan that would allow smart commercial growth and preserve open space," Cahill said. A director in Verizon's sales assurance support organization, Cahill has resided in Old Bridge since 1994 with his wife, Terry. They have four children - Jeanne, 22, Brian Jr., 13, Shannon, 11, and Nicole, 9. Cahill serves on the executive board of the Cheesequake Baseball and Softball Association. Redmond, a project technician with the Middlesex County Utilities Authority, served on the council from 2000 to 2004 and is the current Planning Board chairman. In line with his running mates' concerns about preserving open space, Gillespie said Redmond has played a large role in controlling sprawl through his capacity on the Planning Board. "If I had one goal that I would like to accomplish, it would be to better plan Old Bridge's future," Redmond said. In doing so, he said, controlling development, lowering taxes and providing better services would be top priorities. A 51-year Old Bridge native, Redmond resides with his wife, Karen, a teacher at the McDivitt School. They have four children - Lawrence, 14, Mary Ellen, 10, Colin, 30, and Nick, 28. Fotis, a Republican, said Old Bridge is a great place to live, and he would like the opportunity to make it even better. "I've always wanted to be involved in the town, and make things better," Fotis said. A supervisor with the Manhattan Transit Authority, Fotis said his primary goal, if elected, would be to lower taxes in town. Fotis served with the Army National Guard for 21 years, becoming a staff sergeant in 1990. "I've been serving my country for 21 years, and now it's time to serve my community," Fotis said. The 14-year Old Bridge resident lives with his wife, Ruth, and their two children, Peter, 11, and Michelle, 6. Testino, a Democrat incumbent, has served as a councilman-at-large in Old Bridge since 1996. Also an attorney in the town, Testino has attributed some of his success on the council to his work experience. Controlled development is a priority for Testino, and he has worked in past years to help acquire open space for the township. "We will continue to be a leader in the state when it comes to the preservation of open space," Testino said. "Over the last four years, we have protected over 500 acres of land along with other environmentally sensitive areas in Old Bridge." A lifelong township native, Testino resides with his wife, Bea. They have four children - Tyler, 9, Jackie, 13, Ryan, 16, and Justin, 19. Henry, a Republican, has served on the township's Planning Board for seven years. The owner of Owen Henry Contracting in Old Bridge, Henry deals with industrial and commercial projects. He said his background in business would provide better solutions in dealing with contracts and services, as well as problem-solving skills "I do that on a daily basis," he said. Henry said controlling development in town would be a top priority for him if elected. "It's time for a change in Old Bridge, a new set of eyes, a new set of ears on the council," Henry said. "I'm not a politician. I'm here for the people in Old Bridge." A resident since 1961, Henry lives with his wife, Donna. They have two children - Valerie, 23, and Owen Jr., 25.