Democrats renew bid for freeholder posts

Two Democrats, who in 2008 narrowly lost a bid to become the first of their party elected to the Somerset County Board of Freeholders in three decades, are hoping last year's strong showing was a sign of building momentum, while their Republican challengers are betting on the opposite.

Democratic Somerset County freeholder candidates Cecilia Birge and Doug Singleterry will be stacked up against incumbent Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Patrick Scaglione Nov. 3. The election comes one year after Birge and Singleterry lost by just over 1 percent of the vote to incumbents Peter Palmer and Bob Zaborowski, which Birge sees as a sign of Republicans' waning control.

"The wind has not been blowing their way. They are really losing the public trust," she said.

But Ciattarelli and Scaglione remain confident.

Ciattarelli said he brings a track record of positive achievements as a freeholder, while Scaglione, who serves as Bridgewater Council president, touts his experience as a leader in one of the largest municipalities in the county.

Ciattarelli said he and Scaglione's campaign is centered around improving and maintaining fiscal stability on the county level by exploring the expansion of shared services and reforming personnel policies, adopting a long-term sustainability plan and remaining aggressive in acquiring open space and seeking economic development possibilities.

Above all, however, he said ,property taxes and fiscal solvency are king.

"It's critically important that we demonstrate our fiscal policies are in sync with the economic climate," he said.

Birge and Singleterry contend this is where Republicans have failed in recent years.

The pair of Democrats said they hope to cut unnecessary spending by selling or leasing the Neshanic Valley Golf Course, which they said has cost the county $25 million, and reforming the Parks Commission, which they said has been rife with inefficiency.

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