Frank G. Pelzman

Former State Treasurer John McCormac was unopposed in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Woodbridge, and becomes the strong favorite to win a November Special Election to fill the remaining thirteen months of the late Frank Pelzman's term. If he is successful, he will become the eighth person (under the current State Constitution) to win an election after leaving the cabinet: Brendan Byrne and Christine Todd Whitman both served as President of the Board of Public Utilities before becoming Governor; former Public Advocate Wilfredo Caraballo was later elected to the State Assembly; Elizabeth Randall served as Commissioner of Banking and Insurance before her election to the Bergen County Board of Freeholders; Robert Roe, the Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development in the 1960's who went on to spend 23 years in Congress; former Secretary of State Edward Patten, who served in the House from 1963 to 1981; and former State Treasurer Feather O'Connor went on to win a seat on the Cranbury Township Committee.

State Senator Joseph Vitale is expected to be sworn in as the new Mayor of Woodbridge tonight, after the Township Council votes to appoint him to fill the post left vacant by the death of Frank Pelzman. He will serve until November, when the winner of a Special Election for Pelzman's unexpired term will take office. Vitale has said he will not be a candidate in that contest.

In order to obviate the appearance of double dipping, Vitale says he will not take a salary as Mayor or accept any benefits.

Insiders say that former State Treasurer John McCormac is the front runner to receive the Democratic nomination, while former Council President Kenneth Gardner is expected to the the Republican candidate.

VITALE PUSHES PELZMAN INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE SENIOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TRENTON - Following Woodbridge Mayor Frank Pelzman's call in his 2006 State of the Township Address for senior citizen homeowners to be exempt from construction permit fees, Senator Joseph F. Vitale has pushed through legislation to accomplish this on a Statewide basis, which was approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee by a vote of 4-0.

"For so many seniors living on fixed incomes, and trying to balance a budget of high-cost medications and day-to-day living, home improvements can be next to impossible," said Senator Vitale, D-Woodbridge. "By removing the permitting cost from the equation, we can do our part in promoting senior home improvements, and allowing them to maintain their quality of life and remain an important part of their communities. Mayor Pelzman deserves a lot of credit for pushing this important initiative in Woodbridge, and we think it will work well for the rest of New Jersey."

"This law gives an additional incentive to residents over age 62 to reinvest in their single family homes," said Mayor Pelzman. "It is important that seniors have a chance to enjoy the comfort of their home as they enter their retirement years."