BERNARDSVILLE - The Bernardsville Democratic Committee organized last Wednesday and moved to endorse the Bernardsville Independent Leadership candidates seeking two, three-year terms on the Borough Council.

The eight-member group endorsed Borough Councilman Joseph Rossi and his running mate, John McCrossan, during its organization meeting at the Basking Ridge Country Club on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

According to Democrat Committee Vice Chair Mariel O'Brien, the committee endorsed Rossi and McCrossan because "they understand the infrastructure needs of this town, and have a solid plan to address those through better use of tax dollars."

She added that Rossi and McCrossan's coalition party "had goals and values that most closely align with the Bernardsville Democrats."

The endorsement drew criticism from council candidate Denis Dooley, who, along with Charlotte Foster, is running on the Republican ticket.

"How can they do that rationally? For the past three years, taxes have been up and infrastructure work has been down," Dooley said.

A Democratic committee press release said Rossi and McCrossan were endorsed because their goals included the installation of new sidewalks for children who walk to school, "increased support" of the borough recreation department, and "better use of tax dollars to target the needs of the citizens who bear the largest proportionate tax burden - those who live within and use the facilities of the town center.''

Besides O'Brien, committee members include Chairman Joel Shain and members Lynn Sutcliffe, Eric Befeler, Linda Kragie, Joe DeMarco, Cathy Ferrara and Roseanne Mirabella. Mirabella is also one of six Bernardsville representatives on the 10-member Somerset Hills Regional School Board of Education.

For more information on the Bernardsville Democratic Committee e-mail O'Brien at bernardsvilledemocrats@hotmail.com.

©Recorder Newspapers 2005