Fireman's Fresh Fight: Bombace for Assembly

After serving the village as a fireman and board of education member, Mark Bombace wants to broaden his horizons.

The village fire captain is running for the 40th district General Assembly seat as a Democrat with John Agostinelli. The two face off against incumbent Republican Assemblymen Scott Rumana and David Russo, the latter also a village resident.

"The state has a lot of challenges, and we need a new mindset," Bombace said.

While Russo's been in the Assembly since 1990, Rumana's term started in 2008. The latter currently serves as the assistant Republican leader.

Still, Bombace thinks his lack of statehouse experience isn't necessarily a negative.

"Well I think I have the skill set and mindset to be an effective legislator," he said. "My training with the fire department is that we build things… I like building relationships, and I think I can do that quickly."

Bombace has worked for the fire department for 25 years—15 as an officer. While on the Ridgewood School District Board of Education for six years, Bombace served as president for three.

Based on his background, it's hardly surprising that his two key issues are education and public safety.

He attributed his candidacy to issues he faced while on the Board of Education.

"There, we were forced to deal with lots of unfunded mandates," he said. "I hated it when the state would tell us to do something but not provide us with the means to do it."

Specifically for the village, Bombace wants to write legislation that is "flexible" for an individual town's needs.

"Every town has its own unique makeup that's dynamic," he said.

Bombace also wants to ease COAH restrictions, saying that COAH's open-space regulations don't work for the village as there isn't much space for development to occur.

"These COAH obligations are things that Ridgewood can't meet," he said.

Rumana has also called for COAH reform.

Often, regional elections are greatly influenced by higher-profiled contests. Last year when New Jersey went for President Barack Obama in the electoral college, many other Democrats found offices as well.

Bombace admits that the current gubernatorial election certainly affects his race, in a positive or negative way.

"How much is it important? I don't know," he said. "Gov. Corzine has done some good, but he needs people to make unpopular but necessary decisions."

A core Bombace belief is in term limits, and he says he'll only serve three terms—six years—if elected.

"I think three terms is enough to get something done," he said. "Russo is a nice guy, but he's been in the Assembly for almost 20 years. There's not much accomplished there."

Though only looking to serve six years, Bombace says no other obligations will get in his way as shortly following an election, he would retire from the fire department.

"I can devote 100 percent of my time to serve in the Assembly. My opponents can't," he said.

Both Rumana and Russo work as lawyers, and Rumana is the Passaic County Republican Chairman, as well.

Two assemblymen and a state senator, Republican Kevin O'Toole, represent the area comprised of Bergen, Passaic, and Essex Counties.