In Hillsborough race, main focus is on taxes

Hillsborough Township Committee candidates promise voters that they'll crack down on taxes and spending if elected Nov. 3.

Republican incumbents Robert Wagner and Carl Suraci are running against Democratic newcomers James Farley and William Rossi.

Suraci, 43, has served almost six years on the committee and said if re-elected he will work to pull the township out of the economic downturn by following the committee's economic business plan.

"The purpose of the plan is to continue with the business-friendly environment we've been cultivating," he said, noting that the township's focus is on attracting new businesses and growing existing ones. "By doing that we'll detract the tax burden away from the residents and stimulate the economy."

However, Democratic challenger Rossi, 47, said he has yet to see the plan work.

"If you drive up and down Route 206, all you see is vacancy signs in the windows," he said. "I don't see how this plan is working if there are so many stores out of business."

He said that a Democratic presence on the board would jump-start projects in the township.

"I believe in the two-party system and currently there's no Democratic representation on the committee," he said. "Everybody just votes the same, and I think it's time for a change."

His running mate Farley, 58, agreed, saying if elected the two would ensure that the council made decisions based on the best interests of the community.

"I don't consider myself a politician, I'm just a regular Joe," he said. "I want to ask some tough questions, get some good answers, and make smart decisions."

One of his biggest concerns is the township budget and it's impact on residents' wallets.

"Taxes keep going up, and I think we can reduce our spending a bit more," he said, promising to take a "hard look at the budget" to identify reductions for taxpayers.

Wagner, 45, said maintaining an open government and putting taxpayers first is high on his priority list.

If elected, he said, he'll work to maintain an open government, noting that during his time on the committee he and Suraci lobbied for extended municipal hours, public input at municipal meetings and more flexibility for residents and developers seeking building permits.

"We want to make it easy to do things here in Hillsborough," he said.

Wagner said gathering public input on projects like the renovation of the old General Services Administration depot on Route 206 exemplifies his commitment to the voters.

"I personally don't want to rush into anything before getting insight from the residents," he said. "I want to make good decisions about these projects that have huge potential in the township."