George Borek is determined. He lost the first time he ran for council in 2005, and will now mount another campaign, this time running alongside a man who formerly endorsed his opponent.##M:[more]##
orek became the third member of the “”Best 4 West Windsor”” slate alongside Charles Morgan and Will Anklowitz after their original running mate, Steve Schorr, dropped out of the race due to pressure from his employer.
Borek job-related pressure is of a different kind. He has been a professional firefighter in his hometown of Jersey City for 25 years. He moved to West Windsor with his wife, Kimberly, an attorney, in 2001. They live on Wellington Drive with their two children, a boy, Cory, and a girl, Alexis, both three years old.
Borek says the redevelopment is “”one of the most important issues facing West Windsor residents. In the years to come this process will shape what the town will be in the future.””
Borek first ran for council in 2005 with Mayoral candidate Allison Miller and fellow council candidate David Siegel on the “”Openness, Integrity, Action”” ticket. Their opponents, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, Heidi Kleinman, and Linda Geevers, won handily after being endorsed by council members Kristen Appelget, Franc Gambatese, and Charles Morgan.
Morgan says Borek is an attractive candidate, despite not having held public office in the past. “”I liked him. He’s a good guy. He’s up on the issues, and he shares our values in concerns,”” says Morgan. “”He agrees the council needs to be more assertive, he agrees we need to work with the mayor and the administration, and that the government in West Windsor is not as open and transparent as it needs to be.””
Borek says he is drawn to public service. “”I always had a want to serve the public in a different fashion than being a firefighter. I’ve always been involved in union activities, in dealing with legislators, in issues paramount to fire service and fire fighters. I think running for office is one of the ways to get involved and make a difference and make the community better than it already is,”” says Borek.
Borek, 47, says what he learned from his first council campaign is “”not to give up. It was a good experience last time even though I wasn’t successful.””
Borek says his main goal is tax reform. “”We have to come up with some type of solution. I think we need to work on being a voice advocating change for the tax system in Trenton.””
Borek, whose mother was a homemaker, and whose father worked for General Motors, did not go to college. This is in contrast to his running mates, who both have law degrees. Borek is a registered Democrat, and Anklowitz and Morgan are Republicans. Despite the differences in their background, Morgan says they see eye to eye on the issues facing the town.
“”He brings a certain amount of balance to the ticket. In local politics, affiliation becomes irrelevant.”” said Morgan, “”I work with people who share my values and concerns about what’s right and good for the township, and they come in all forms and affiliations.””
West Windsor has a non-partisan government. Morgan says he and Anklowitz narrowed the field of possible candidates down to two before selecting Borek. Alice Ng, homemaker, was the other choice. She has become the campaign manager for the “”Best 4 West Windsor”” slate.
The rival slate includes councilman Franc Gambatese and hopefuls Chuck Chang and Diane Ciccone. The council election is Tuesday, May 8. Prospective candidates can file an application until Thursday, March 15.
