Meet Cory Spillar, Democrat Seeking Re-Election To Woodbridge Council

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Nov. 4 will be an election for Woodbridge town Council. Early, in-person voting starts this Saturday.

All six current Woodbridge Council members, all Democrats and backed by Mayor John McCormac, ask voters to re-elect them. They are challenged by six Republicans.

In Ward 3 (Avenel, Port Reading), Councilman Cory Spillar, a Democrat, seeks re-election. He is challenged by Bruce Banko, Republican. We asked both candidates a similar set of questions, and only Spillar got back to us. Here are his answers:

Your name, age and office you are running for. Do you currently hold this office and if so, for how long? Both years and terms.

Cory S. Spillar, 52, 3rd Ward Councilman-Avenel & Port Reading. Yes, I am running for my 4th term — 2015, 2017, 2021, 2025, and have served on the municipal council for 11 years.

What is your occupation?

Fire Official - Avenel Fire Prevention Bureau in my 23rd year. Retired Correctional Police Officer - Middlesex County Dept. of Corrections (2000).

Have you ever run for elected office before? Please list all races and their outcomes.

Yes, I was appointed in August 2015, then ran for the open seat in November 2015. I won, and won again in 2017 and again in 2021.

What accomplishments are you proud of having served on the Woodbridge Council?

There are many things that we have accomplished that I am very proud of, but probably the two most important to me is the partnership we have with the school district and renovating and/or building new schools in the Township.

Being the reporter you are, I'm sure you have seen so many other towns have school referendum votes that fail miserably. Not in Woodbridge. Our referendum votes pass by an average of 2/3-3/4 of the vote, with ZERO funding raised from resident taxation. No other Township has a new elementary School 4 & 5, Oak Tree Road School #29, Woodbridge Middle School and a new Ross Street Elementary School.

With the new schools, came full day kindergarten. Just look at our school's athletic fields. Our elementary and middle school gyms look like high school gyms; our high school fields look like Division #3 fields. These amenities are used by all children in the Township between school activities and Township recreational activities. People are moving to Woodbridge because of our schools and full-day kindergarten.

The second accomplishment I am very proud of is the redevelopment of the Rt. 1 corridor. It has been no secret of our efforts to clean-up Route 1 of blight and less-than-desirable properties. Cloverleaf shopping center is a huge redevelopment project that just had their ribbon cutting ceremony, that took the place of a vacant, vegetation overgrown piece of property along Rt. 1 and St. Georges Avenue.

The City and Star Motels have closed and will be razed for a new 4-story Cambria hotel and restaurant. The Gem motel was razed for a new Wawa, the former Woody's studio apartments were taken down and a new Dunkin' was built next to the Holiday Inn. The former Big Top property, which was vacant and contained broken machinery, is now Universal Orthopedics — a country-renowned orthopedic hub that professional sports stars go to for treatment. One of Avenel's less than desirable properties, the Adult Variety Center has officially closed as part of a redevelopment agreement and will be demolished. I can go on...

Why should voters vote for you again?

The voters in the 3rd Ward know I work for them and represent them. These aren't just voters; these are friends, family, neighbors and residents that share the same beliefs and goals as myself. While the 2025 election has not taken place, just look at the voter turnout and vote count over my last three elections. I must be doing something good for Avenel/Port Reading. Being a lifelong resident of Avenel and so many close ties to Port Reading, I am the most qualified person to serve as 3rd Ward Councilman.

Republicans challenging you say the Woodbridge Council and Mayor McCormac have allowed too many apartments to be built in Woodbridge, and given too many PILOTs. They say the McCormac team has allowed Woodbridge to become too developed and too crowded. What is your response?

A week ago, we cut the ribbon on a new Avenel School #4 and a year from now we will do the same with School #5, which is being completely renovated. Seeing the faces of the kids as they walk the halls is just so gratifying. Without the financing mechanism of PILOTs, this work could not possibly have happened. As Fire Official Cory, as I am known by the students in my full-time capacity as Fire Official for the Avenel Fire Department, I was able to have the entire school in one Fire Safety presentation in the beautiful new gymnasium instead of multiple smaller sessions like in the past.

What's your favorite part about living in Woodbridge?

I was just talking to my wife and children about this, on how we can go out on any day of the week and especially on the weekend, and get something to eat at one of the great restaurants we have in Woodbridge. Just within a 2-block radius, I can go and get ribs from Avenel BBQ, pizza from Roccos, wings from Jersey Boys, pulled pork mac and cheese from Carolines Tavern or breakfast empanadas from Bussin Empanadas.

I love music and no other town has the amount of quality concerts we have. I mentioned it before, but I watched my children cheer and now my son play football for Colonia High School and the amenities are the best.

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