Meet Garwood Council Candidates at the Pointe

All Garwood residents have been invited to attend a pre-election debate involving the three candidates for Borough Council and urged to suggest questions to be put to the participants.

The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Pointe, the condominium complex between Maple and Chestnut Streets. Proposed questions may be sent in advance to PointeForum@gmail.com

“Our time will be limited,” said Christine Spear, the president of the condominium, “so we may not be able to raise every suggested question. But we’d like to deal as completely as possible with the issues that concern Garwood residents.”

She cited as topics likely to be discussed taxes, the potential for shared services with nearby towns, the possibility of a borough-wide revaluation and the redevelopment of North and South Avenues.

The candidates, who are seeking two open seats on the council, are Mike Martin, a Republican; Jim Mathieu, a Conservative Republican; and Bruce Paterson, a registered Democrat who is running as an independent write-in candidate.

The election is unusual because the Democrats did not make any nomination and the Republicans did not endorse Mathieu, an incumbent who ran on their ticket in 2010. Paterson, who makes regular appearances at council meetings, has said that he is not running as a Democrat because he does not support the Union County Freeholders, all of whom are Democrats.

Light refreshments will be served after the debate, which will be held in the clubhouse at the Pointe. Parking is available in the large lot behind the commercial buildings on North Avenue between Maple and Chestnut Streets. A stairway leads from the lot to the clubhouse.