East Brunswick Town Council Profile: Michael Spadafino

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Michael Spadafino is a practising chiropractor for the past 33 years. He has also served on the Town Council for seven years, and along with Mayor Brad Cohen and Councilman Sterley Stanley, he’s running for reelection this Nov.3.

Spadafino says that in his conversations with residents, taxes and services often come up. In the past few years, Spadafino says he’s worked hard to keep taxes low, while providing residents with the best services.

Read below to learn more about Spadafino and her platform for the upcoming elections in East Brunswick.

Name- Michael Spadafino

Age (on election day) – 71

Town – East Brunswick

Position sought – Councilman

Party Affiliation – Democrat

Family – wife, Kathleen; daughters, Luisa, 38, Rosanna 36; son, Michael Vito, 35

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education –

HS – East Brunswick HS

BA – University of Northern Colorado

DC – Palmer College of Chiropractic

Occupation - Chiropractor, 33 years

Previous or Current or Appointed Office-

Councilman of East Brunswick seeking re-election

Campaign website – eastbrunswick2020 and FB – East Brunswick2020

Why are you seeking elective office?

For nearly 55 years, East Brunswick has not only been my home, but it is in the fiber of my being. From a high school student, to a teacher and coach, and finally as a local chiropractor, I am personally invested in East Brunswick and its future. I have been a councilman for nearly seven years, representing all residents, and have worked diligently to serve their interests and concerns. Mayor Cohen, Councilman Sterley Stanley and I promised to restore financial stability, re-develop the Route 18 corridor, and maintain the many services that we now enjoy when we ran together four years ago and I believe that we have delivered on our commitment to the residents of East Brunswick.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

In my many conversations with residents over the years, two topics always seem to come up: taxes and services. It is my goal to balance these two components by ensuring that our government is both fiscally responsible and provides the best services for our town. Over the past four years, Mayor Cohen, Councilman Stanley and I have done an outstanding job of striking that delicate balance by keeping tax increases below 2% each year and improving on the programs and services that our community expects.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Throughout my life, I have been elected or appointed to many leadership positions because people trust me to listen to all sides and base my decisions on solutions that would maximize benefit for everyone. I have carried through with these same principals for the residents of the town. My seven years of experience in municipal government have given me the tools to deal with the challenges we face in a proactive, not reactive, way.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• Fiscal Responsibility- Mayor Cohen, Councilman Stanley, and I, along with our fellow council members, have worked diligently to hold the line on taxes and to improve services. We have used every tool at our disposal to achieve this. We understand the unique challenges we face during this historic pandemic and are prepared to meet them.
• Commitment to the future- Over the 55 years of living in East Brunswick, I have seen several transformations of the town. Some were good, others not so good. The vision of Mayor Cohen and my fellow Council members to revitalize the Route 18 corridor will be a very positive change for our town, bringing in new ratables and businesses to our business district. The Redevelopment plan is well underway, and in response there has been a dramatic increase in new businesses in town. We revamped our engineering department to be more responsive to new businesses and re-established a strong Chamber of Commerce, which currently has almost 200 members. Safety is a high priority, and we have expanded the police force for our residents’ protection and security. This administration recognizes that families move to East Brunswick for the outstanding schools, library and cultural opportunities. Our plan is to protect and improve these town staples in the future.
• Community building - I am very proud of our award-winning police department, which has high marks for transparency, community outreach and communication. In addition, East Brunswick takes pride in multiple commissions and committees dedicated to our multi-cultural interests and the arts. Crystal Springs and our large recreation programs are suitable for every interest, age and ability. We also value our open communication and mutual respect between houses of worship and diverse cultures.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle the job?

I have served on the Township Council for seven years, including as Council President, and for 25 years on the Health Advisory Council. I have been a member of the Planning Board, Recreation Committee, Redevelopment Committee and the East Brunswick Museum Committee. I was a leader in the reformation of the Chamber of Commerce, and I have run a successful chiropractic practice for 32 years here in East Brunswick.

The best advice ever shared with me was

My father said walk a mile in someone else’s shoes so you know where they are coming from and why. This has served me well, as all who know me say I am a good listener and am empathetic by nature.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My long history as both a resident and business owner in East Brunswick has given me the confidence to continue to lead our town, especially as it relates to our continuing plan to share services in order to stabilize property taxes. Our re-established Chamber of Commerce will help businesses grow as our town grows again. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve for the last seven years, and I hope that I have support to continue for four more years.

In anticipation of the upcoming election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. We will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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