Ricigliano wants mayor's pay and perks cut
BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer
As part of her bid to unseat incumbent Edison Mayor Jun Choi, CouncilwomanAntonia Ricigliano says that, if elected, she would cut the mayor's salary, turn down taxpayer-paid medical benefits and drive her own vehicle to work.

"I'm sending a clear message that I'm serious about saving taxpayers' money," Ricigliano said. "Fiscal responsibility must start at the top and continue to every facet of municipal government."

Much of the criticism of Choi comes in the wake of his salary being raised from $49,000 to $75,000, a 53-percent increase, in October of last year, via a 4-3 vote [Ricigliano cast one of the dissenting votes]. Initially, he was seeking to nearly double his salary to $97,000.

"Being Edison's mayor is not about salary or fringe benefits. It's about providing quality services to hardworking people who live in our town," Ricigliano said.

Mike Barfield, Choi's political director, stated that the mayor's salary is in line with those of other mayors of large municipalities.

"If she [Ricigliano] doesn't want to serve the people full time, then that's unfortunate to hear," Barfield said. "Jun Choi is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week mayor and deserves a full-time salary. Edison is the fifth largest municipality in our state and has over 100,000 residents. It is certainly a full-time job."

Ricigliano also supports the gradual replacement of Edison's vehicle fleet with fuel-efficient hybrids and would continue to promote that practice if elected.

"When I am elected, the mayor's hybrid SUV will get far better gas mileage because I won't be driving it," she said. "I can drive my own car to work. I can buy my own gasoline and pay for my own EZ-Pass."

Barfield also stated that Choi has done plenty to save money for the township.

"The mayor has certainly streamlined local government in many ways," he said. "The municipal work force has been cut by 10 percent due to attrition and he has worked diligently to find ways to help the people of Edison."