Although shouting and mudslinging were kept to a minimum between the eight candidates vying for three seats on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, voices were loud from first-time candidates speaking out against the reactivation of the Staten Island and Rahway Valley rail lines, which would run through seven towns, as incumbents pleaded that there was nothing they could do to stop the train.

The eight candidates include Democratic incumbents Deborah Scanlon, who is this year's freeholder chairwoman; Chester Holmes and Alexander Mirabella. Republican candidates are Bob Reilly, Stuart Kline and Kenneth Haynes. Independent candidates are Joe Renna and Green Party candidate Barbara Briemer.

The three three-year seats on the board will be voted on during the Nov. 4 General Election.

On Tuesday, candidates participated in a debate at the Cranford Municipal Building.

Candidates were each given two minutes to make an opening statement. Each candidate was then given one minute to answer questions from the audience. After a 90-minute question-and-answer session, candidates each made two-minute closing remarks.

"We want open, honest county government," said Reilly. "Not back room, railroad deals that appear months after they've been signed."

The agreement between Morristown and Erie Railway Inc. and Union County to reactivate the rail lines was ratified in May 2002.

"There was no community involvement," said Haynes. "All of the towns represented in Union County should have been notified and given the opportunity to voice their opinion before the contract was signed."

For the last year, residents in Kenilworth, Roselle Park, Roselle, Summit and Springfield have voiced opposition to the reactivation, which opponents claim will cause a disruption and could also be a safety hazard.

"I think you have to incorporate the resident's viewpoint in any kind of project of that nature," said Kline.

Scanlon said each municipality has a representative on the county's Transportation Advisory Board, which meets on a regular basis and has discussed the railroad.

Holmes said a pre-emptive law precludes municipalities from interfering with the operation of railroads.
The county cannot legally stop the train but it did sign an operating agreement allowing for the maximum amount of control over the railroad, Scanlon said.

"We tried to take control of this issue once it was determined that we could not stop it legally," said Mirabella.
According to the freeholders, the railroad will provide short-line service within Union County. Freight moved along the lines must either originate in the county, or have a final destination in the county.

"If we didn't take action, another operator would have done so, creating a very unfavorable situation for residents," said Scanlon.

Briemer said she was concerned that emergency vehicles will be blocked on roadways when the train is crossing.
"I'd put people first, not trains," said Reilly.

Challengers repeatedly talked about how Union County is controlled by a one-party government.

"I can't think of anything worse than one-party rule," said Kline.

Membership on the freeholder board has been comprised solely of Democrats for the last six years.

"They act as a pack and operate for the benefit of the party and not the people," said Renna.

Mirabella said that under the previous Republican-controlled freeholder board, "Union County government lacked fresh ideas about moving forward."

Briemer said that approximately 30 percent of the companies or organizations the county does business with are contributors to the county Democratic Committee.

Renna agreed by saying that the county is overrun by political patronage. He said the county awards no-bid contracts to organizations that contributed to Democratic campaigns.

"The county administration has grown beyond manageable proportions," said Renna.

Incumbents repeatedly said the county follows proper state-mandated protocol when awarding contracts.
"We hire and award contracts based on state law," said Mirabella.

"I'm a party of one," said Renna. "I'm not beholden to anyone."

Non-incumbents charged that the current board does not address the needs of the Union County residents.
"The needs of the people of Union County have been overlooked," said Haynes.

"I guarantee that what I know as a freeholder you will know as a taxpayer," said Renna.

In the last three years county taxes have increased 27 percent, Kline said.

"Because of rising property taxes, senior citizens are being forced to move out of the very communities they helped to build," said Kline. "I'd work hard to reign in out-of-control spending. It's my money too."

"County government is a business and when you have taxpayers' money in your hands use it wisely," said Haynes.
Candidates also discussed the county's juvenile detention center. The state has told the county that a new facility must be constructed.

Incumbents said the new center is a priority.

Challengers pointed out how the current administration is more than willing to help fund a children's museum, animal shelter and new county police headquarters, yet cannot come to terms with where to construct a new juvenile center.

Scanlon, a Union resident, is seeking her third term on the freeholder board.

Holmes, a Rahway resident, is a former police officer and owner of a security business.

Mirabella, a Fanwood resident, is chairman of the county's Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Board and the Sept. 11 Memorial Committee.

Reilly, the Winfield GOP chairman, last year retired from the county's print shop for 30 years.

Kline has served on the Fanwood Council since 1997. He is employed in the finance industry.

Haynes, a Roselle resident, is a supervisor for United Parcel Services. In the past he has run for the borough council and board of education.

Renna, a Cranford resident, works in public information at the county's Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights.

Briemer is a Westfield resident. This is her first time running for public office.