GOP challenger wants to break Dems' control

A North Plainfield Republican is making a renewed bid for a borough council slot he held nearly a decade ago.

Jim McGarry will face off against Democratic incumbent Everett Merrill for the sole open position on the North Plainfield council in the Nov. 3 election. Though McGarry has more council experience, having served from 1995 to 2000, Merrill, who was appointed to the post in January, says he brings fresh ideas and will work to continue what he says has been a progressive Democratic administration.

"There's a lot of good things happening in North Plainfield," Merrill said. "I feel very strongly about how the mayor and how our administration have guided the borough. Although we're in a tough economic climate, these are very exciting times and because of the work we've done I'm very optimistic about our future."

McGarry contends just the opposite.

"My boss has an expression that I'm very fond of: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging," he said. "Well, one party rule in this community over the last 12 going on 13 years has left us in a hole, so that's just what we need to do."

McGarry blasted the Democratic administration, saying they have increased spending annually, which he said is short-sighted in a troubled economy.

"It's remarkable to me that our community leadership continues every year to run up the debt, run up the spending," McGarry said. "It has to stop."

But Merrill said in his time on the council he has worked to help insulate North Plainfield from the economic challenges plaguing the state.

"We have an aggressive tax collection in town at 97 percent. Our debt reduced by 7 percent in 2008. Our town is in very good fiscal shape," he said. "This year the average taxpayer is going to receive a $300 tax reduction. So the argument that we're overspending, I don't agree with at all."

Merrill said, if re-elected, he hopes to bolster relationships with not only surrounding communities, but also increase cooperation with the North Plainfield Board of Election so that the two governing bodies can work together to ensure the fiscal stability of the borough.

"Sometimes we're so immersed in individual issues that we forget that we can serve a greater value working together," he said. "We're having our second joint meeting with the Board of Education on [Oct. 26]. I think that's very important because we can not only broaden that relationship but get a feel for where the largest amount of tax dollars are going."

McGarry, meanwhile, said it is integral for the borough council to take a proactive role in the coming years to not only attract new businesses to the area but work with existing businesses who may be struggling.

"Look at the closing of Pathmark. Losing that store is a problem," McGarry said. "I was surprised to learn there wasn't an effort to reach out to the ownership. You have to be willing to listen and be proactive. If there's an opportunity for the town to do something, we need to take it."

Stephen Stirling is a reporter for the New Jersey Local News Service. He may be reached at sstirling@njlns.com or (908)243-6237.