John Arcoleo: Bridgewater Council Candidate Profile

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — There is a heated and contested race for the Bridgewater Mayor and Council this upcoming November election due to ongoing issues of development in the township.

Democrat John Arcoleo is running for township council on the ticket with Patti Selikoff and Jeffrey J. Brookner against Republicans Matthew Moench, Michael Kirsh and Timothy Ring.

Brookner, current Council President Moench and Libertarian candidate Gregg Mele are all running for Mayor.

There is one mayor spot and two council seats up for grabs. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Here is a look at who Arcoleo is and why he is running. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions and each candidate profile will be posted on Patch's site as it gets closer to the election.

John Arcoleo

Describe yourself:

My name is John Arcoleo and I have been a Bridgewater resident since 1991. My academic career includes a B.A degree at Rutgers University, a Ph.D. at Columbia University, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute of Cancer Research. For more than 30 years, I ran a computer support business. For the past 18 years, I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville. Through this organization, I have led a wide range of over 100 community service events. I also served a term as Grand Knight, during which I focused on the needs of members and families in crisis. Since 2004, I have been a member of the Sunset Lake Community Club, and in 2010, was elected to a three-year term as the club’s Environmental Trustee. My wife Dr. Diane Mihalow and I have a daughter, Christine, who graduated from BRHS in 2016.

What experience do you have that would help you serve?

Throughout my life and career, I have demonstrated an ability to learn and master quantitative skills. My primary work has been in designing, delivering, and providing ongoing support for varied technology projects within companies and schools. I learned about computer technology from its infancy and value knowledge for itself as well as its practical applications.

My service to the community within the Knights of Columbus has been sustained through the years. I am proud of my leadership and participation in community service by helping others, including local veterans.

I will be able to dedicate the time necessary to fulfill the role of a Bridgewater Township Council member. I plan to approach this very important position with competence, leadership and dedication.

What issues would you like to address in Bridgewater?

As a council member, I would strive to make council meetings transparent and civil in our dealing with the public.After years of scrimping on road repair budgets, it is finally time to fix our roads.

Somerset County Business Partnership indicates that 27 percent of families, or 15,000 residents of Bridgewater, are ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.) They are unable (or barely able) to afford basic necessities. Our recreation, parks, and health departments need to better include these families in their outreach and programs.

Why should voters vote for you?

I believe this election is about change. The voters of Bridgewater are not happy with the direction in which the town is going in terms of uncontrolled development. One-party (Republican) rule for two decades has led to this predicament.

Our slate of Jeffrey Brookner, John Arcoleo and Patti Selikoff will bring thoughtful development, transparency in governance, and civility in council meetings that have been sorely lacking in past years. New voices are needed to represent the people better.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the election profile, email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.