Bruce Paterson Announces Write-In Candidacy for Garwood Council Election

Longtime Garwood resident, planning board member and council meeting regular, Bruce Paterson announced his candidacy for November's Garwood council election at Tuesday's council meeting. 

Paterson said his candidacy is not affiliated with a particular local party but that he is a registered Democrat. He cited ousting council incumbent Jim Mathieu as his top reason for running. 

"Recently I felt I had to make this jump because there's a councilman up for reelection that I feel is not good for town for next three years," Paterson told Patch. We saw nothing but stress while he has been on council. He's alienated members of the Dept. of Public Works, police, crossing guards, his fellow council members and residents."

Paterson has previously called for Mathieu to step down and even waged an unsuccessful recall petition against him.

Paterson said going through the budget with a fine-tooth comb would be his number one priority if elected. Paterson has previously run for council and once for mayor. 

Paterson's opponents, incumbent Jim Mathieu (Regular Garwood GOP) and newcomer Mike Martin (Conservative Republican) were gracious about his entry into the race. (The Democrats did not field a candidate in the primary.)

"As I told Patch in when Garwood's Republican voters chose me as their candidate in the primary, I was disappointed the Democrats didn't field their own candidates for the general election," said Mathieu. "We need competition among ideas and beliefs so the voters have a real choice when they go to the polls. I wish Bruce the best of luck."

"I welcome him to the race," Martin told Patch.