Meet Debbie Meehan, Running For 4th Term As Colonia Councilwoman

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Nov. 4 will be an election for Woodbridge town Council, and in-person early voting starts Oct. 25.

All six current Woodbridge Council members, all Democrats and part of the Mayor McCormac team, ask voters to re-elect them this November. They are challenged by six Republicans.

In Ward 5, Colonia, Councilwoman Debbie Meehan asks voters to elect her to a fourth term on the Council. She is publisher of the Colonia Corner newspaper. She is challenged by Republican Sam Raval (Meet Sam Raval).

Patch asked all the candidates a set of questions, and all 12 got back to us. Here are Meehan's 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.

Debbie Meehan, 5th Ward Councilwoman. I am running for my 4th term.

What is your occupation?

Owner/publisher The Corner newspaper (2001)

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

Yes, Councilwoman for the 5th Ward – three terms.

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

There are many things I have done as a councilwoman so I can’t just pick one thing; there have been many different issues and any one that I was able to resolve for a resident I am proud of. I’m proud that I was able to get traffic lights installed in dangerous intersection to keep residents safe. Definitely one of my favorite is the flashing lights on Inman Avenue and Lake Avenue to ensure the children can safely cross on their way home from school, and all residents for that matter.

I’m proud of sitting with the seniors at the Evegreen Senior Center once a month for an hour to share a cup of coffee and address any concerns they may have. I’m proud that I work with the veterans, get involved with the schools and listen to the people that call Colonia their home. I have residents reach out to me for help and I’m very proud that they know they can call me anytime they need me. I may not always be able to resolve their issues but I will always try my best to help them.

Truly, the biggest thing I am proud of is I work hard to bring my community together for the betterment of our lives here, whether a breast cancer walk, collecting toys at the holidays, feeding people who are hungry, together we work together to take care of each other, that’s what a good community does, and you will always find that in Colonia.

Why should voters vote for you again?

Because I truly care about every resident in my ward. Children, adults, seniors, veterans, EVERYONE and it is important to me to always protect them and do the best I can for them to give them the best quality of life.

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?

Nobody complains about the PILOTs except our political opponents because they don't understand how government finances work and they don't like the amazing success Woodbridge has had by wisely using them to expand our economy and build new schools.

What's your favorite part about living in Woodbridge?

The beautiful people that call this Township their home. I have seen them in the worst of times and in the best of times and it always humbles me to see the kindness spread when we work together to lift one and other up. When they need the gentle embrace of the community we come together to wrap our arms around each other. I love my town!

Woodbridge Republican Candidates Want Less Development And An End To One-Party Rule (Sept. 23)

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