SCOTT FRIEDMAN Sydney Gelpke, 8, of Sayreville, portrays a spaghetti and meatballs dinner, a costume that won her the prize in the "most original" category during the borough's Halloween parade on Main Street Oct. 25. More ... Mayoral hopefuls focus on land issues, taxes Phillips defends seat against challengers Greene, Sulikowski BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       The three candidates vying to be mayor of Old Bridge have similar priorities, but distinct ideas about achieving their goals. More ... Redeveloper chosen for Nat'l Lead project O'Neill Properties plans retail, office, homes, arts center BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Sayreville is one step closer to redeveloping the 400-acre former National Lead site. On Monday, the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA) unanimously selected O'Neill Properties to be the redeveloper of the waterfront property. SERA's engineer, CME Associates, ranked the proposal f... More ... Pop's will never be on the market for builders BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - Barbara Byrne Schauer knows her parents would be proud. The farm they owned going back to the 1920s will remain as such, and can never be developed. Its inclusion into the state Farmland Preservation Program was celebrated Monday morning during a press conference attended by family memb... More ... Firemen's dinner to benefit teen car-crash victim Proceeds to help defray family's medical costs BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - A split second changed JoAnn Gubernot's 15-year-old niece Leslie's life forever in November 2006. For privacy reasons, Gubernot, who lives in Fords, said her niece's family wishes to withhold their last name and where they live. More ... Field of six vies for freeholder seats The following candidates are running for three seats on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Nov. 6       DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina Age: 77 Residence: Fords, Woodbridge Occupation: Retired bar and restaurant owner Position: Freeholder since 1990; deputy director since 1994; chairman of the Department of Parks and Recreation More ... Steel mill to host info session       SAYREVILLE - Gerdau Ameristeel will hold a community information session at its steel mill on North Crossman Road from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8. More ... Armed man robs jeweler BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - An armed robber got away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry after holding up a township store at gunpoint. The unknown armed robber entered Corbo Jewelers on Route 9, near Spring Valley Road, through the front door at 8:22 p.m. Oct. 25, took an automatic handgun out of... More ... Spooky Sayreville      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN staff 12-year-old Jaysen Low, of Sayreville, barely mumbled about his headache at the Sayreville Halloween parade Oct. 25. More ... Old Bridge At stake: Four-year mayoral term and three four-year at-large Township Council terms       Where they stand: What made you decide to become involved in politics and serving your community? Brian J. Cahill My initial interest in politics really stemmed from the attempt by Mayor James Phillips and the Democratically controlled Township Council to sell the Crossroads property and bui... More ... Sayreville At stake: Four-year mayoral term and two three-year council terms       Where they stand: What is the greatest challenge facing Sayreville and what should be done about it? Daniel E. Buchanan* (D) Sayreville lacks leadership, direction and a solid plan for the future. After all these years under Mayor Kennedy O'Brien, we still face the same recurring issues of o... More ... Mayoral candidates debate borough issues O'Brien, Pollando trade barbs during pre-election forum BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Two of the biggest names in borough government will battle it out for mayor next week. But before they compete at the polls, incumbent Mayor Kennedy O'Brien and challenger Thomas Pollando faced off Tuesday in a debate witnessed by scores of residents. More ... Residents say township answered call for help Problems included alleged drug activity, speeding, vandalism BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Residents of the Southwood development are singing the praises of township officials for making their neighborhood a safer place to live. "A lot of times, you feel like you're talking to people, and they're saying, 'yeah, yeah, yeah,' " resident Lynda Costello said. "They listened. More ...