2 in S. Brunswick spar over budget

A Republican challenger, saying South Brunswick's government isn't open about budget issues, is trying to win a seat on the township Democrat-controlled council.

His opponent, who calls the government transparent and himself a fiscal conservative, was appointed in January to the seat and now wants to keep it for the three years remaining in the term.

The challenger, 61-year-old John G. O'Sullivan, and the incumbent, 54-year-old Mahesh "Mac" Shah, are both civically active and have raised children in town. They share similar views on how local government should operate and how South Brunswick's land should be used.

O'Sullivan is "semi-retired" from a career in security management. He moved to the town from Woodbridge in 1989. He served in the Army and as a sergeant in the National Guard's 50th Military Police Company.

At issue in this race, O'Sullivan said, is whether voters want to "balance" the council with a Republican. He said the township is run by a Democratic machine, but that his election would change that. "It's like flying an airplane that has two wings," he said.

His biggest focus is on spending and taxes. He believes in a zero-budget approach to spending plans, meaning budgets are created from scratch each year, but is willing to spend on programs when the economy rebounds. He believes the council's deferral of pension obligations was irresponsible because they must pay interest. And, he said, getting information about finances from the council is "like pulling teeth."

O'Sullivan said he supports municipal control of land use and believes in open space preservation. The township has been aggressive for many years in both those categories, and O'Sullivan said he would continue that tradition and fight to keep Route 130 from being dotted with strip malls.

Shah, a senior research scientist and manager at Bristol-Myers Squibb, moved from North Brunswick to South Brunswick 11 years ago. He came to the United States from India in the mid-1980s.

As a council member, he said he has focused on tax stability and maintaining the essential mission of government. Keeping taxes level is key to keeping up the quality of life in town, he said, pointing to $1.5 million in spending cuts as evidence of the council's efforts to do so.

The idea that Democrats aren't open about the township's finances is a misconception, Shah said. The council can't discuss union negotiations, he said, but releases details about everything else.

"We are fully transparent and we provide people any and all information which is open for public" review, he said.

Control of land use and open space preservation are also among his priorities. He wants new development on Route 130 to be primarily office uses, like pharmaceutical and technology research, he said.

Shah defends the efforts of the council, and said the members all come from different backgrounds -- be it as engineer, lawyer, businessman or scientist. "We are not a special interest group here," he said, and believes they represent the concerns of every citizen regardless of party.

Ryan Hutchins is a reporter for the New Jersey Local News Service. He may be reached at rhutchins@njlns.com or (908) 243-6236.