RAHWAY—Six Democrats seeking election to the City Council next month are each calling themselves “Rahway’s Redevelopment Expert” in their campaign material, in a brazen attempt to latch on to the considerable good feeling in the city over Mayor James Kennedy’s downtown initiatives.
Bobby Akbar, of 692 East Grand Avenue, is the Democratic candidate for First Ward Councilman.
A 1994 Rahway High graduate who starred for the Indians in the early 1990s under the name of Bobby McClain, Akbar is a 5th grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School. Two years ago, he authored a book titled, “What It Means To Wear The Red And Black – 100 years of Rahway High School Football 1906-2006.”
Akbar also earned an honorable mention from the New Jersey Amistad Commission, which recognizes teachers who incorporate black history in New Jersey classrooms.
Michael W. Cox of 776 W. Scott Avenue, is a Democratic newcomer hoping to succeed Councilman Frank Janusz as the Second Ward Councilman. Janusz, who has held the seat since first winning in 1992, is not seeking another term.
Councilman Jerome Scaturo, of 515 Albermarle Street, who has represented the Third Ward since winning his first election in 1996, is seeking a fourth term and facing stiff opposition from Republican Bryan DeRochers.
Councilman David Brown, of 353 E. Stearns Street, was also first elected in 1996, but he is facing no opposition in the Fourth Ward.
First term Councilwoman Jennifer Wenson Maier of 1314 Bryant Street, is matched against her 2004 opponent, James Pekarofski, in the Fifth Ward.
City Council President Samson David Steinman, who resides at 1104 Plymouth Drive and represents the Sixth Ward, is seeking his second term. Steinman is a finance manager for a private investment company and he is the co-founder of the United Alliance for a Drug-Free Rahway.
In addition to serving on the Rahway Parking Authority and Rahway Center Partnership, he is a former member of the Rahway Board of Education.
