Wisniewski and Coughlin take their seats in state Assembly

January 20, 2010

John S. Wisniewski and Craig J. Coughlin said they are looking forward to working together as the assemblymen for the residents in District 19.

 

The district covers Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy and Woodbridge.

 

On Jan. 12, Wisniewski, 47, of Sayreville, and Coughlin, 51, of Fords, were sworn in — Wisniewski started his 14th year as assemblyman and Coughlin started his first year in the position.

 

Wisniewski and Coughlin, who are both attorneys, join state Sen. Joseph F. Vitale, who also represents District 19.

 

In the November election, Wisniewski and Coughlin defeated Republican contenders Peter Kothari and Richard Piatkowski and independent candidates Barry Adler and James Poesl for the two two-year District 19 state Assembly seats that were open.

 

In September 2009, Coughlin was nominated by the Democratic Party for the assembly seat after South Amboy Mayor John O’Leary withdrew from the race due to anonymous attacks that were made against him.

 

Coughlin fills the seat of former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, who was indicted in March on charges that included bid rigging and theft. Wisniewski and Coughlin recently sat down with Greater Media Newspapers to talk about their outlook on the upcoming year.

 

“Where to begin … there have been a lot of accomplishments,” Wisniewski said with a smile.

 

The veteran assemblyman said the largest portion of their role as assemblymen is answering calls from constituents, including senior citizens calling about not receiving their rebate checks to people calling about losing their jobs.

 

“Our job is to stand up and advocate for our constituents,” said Wisniewski.

 

Teen driver safety

 

As chairman of the Assembly’s Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, Wisniewski said they have reached some ground on teen driver safety.

 

“This is personal to me, since I have a new driver in my family,” he said of his 17-year-old daughter. “Kids don’t give you the straight scoop. My daughter says, ‘OK, Dad, don’t worry about it,’ and I’m sure Craig gets it at home too. This is about improving quality of life and making the roads safer.”

 

Wisniewski said he pushed legislation called Kyleigh’s Law, which was signed into law by Gov. Jon S. Corzine in April.

 

The law is named after Kyleigh D’Alessio, a 16-year-old girl who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in December 2006 in Washington Township.

 

The law, which will not take effect until May, requires decals on cars being driven by young drivers who have either a learner’s permit, examination permit or a provisional license.

 

Wisniewski said a Teen Driver Study Commission was formed, consisting of 15 members including Assemblyman Joseph Malone (30th District), Christopher Rafano, who is now Middlesex County Freeholder director, Woodbridge Councilman at-Large Gregg Ficarra, and Barbara McMorrow, who was Monmouth County Freeholder director at the time. They released their report in March 2008 with 47 recommendations.

 

The commission conducted an in-depth review of all aspects of teen driving.

 

“It started five years ago when the number-one fatality in motor vehicle crashes were young people, and parents came to us wanting to see something done about it,” he said.

 

Wisniewski said restrictions were put on graduated driver’s licenses, but they did not see any real improvements over the years.

 

Through the Teen Driver Safety Commission, suggestions were made to put mandatory restrictions that allow no more than one person in the car with a driver who has a graduated license, and increased parental participation.

 

State budget

 

Wisniewski said looking into the next two years as newly elected Gov. Chris Christie’s new administration takes position, it is critical for everyone to work together, regardless of political party, to help create jobs and work on the daunting problem of the budget.

 

“We have an $8 billion deficit, and if every government employee in Trenton stayed home for a year, we would still be $1 billion short of balancing the budget,” he said.

 

Wisniewski said the $23 billion that is raised and sent back to the communities needs to be fixed.

 

“In the past three years, 96 proposals were made, and the governor adopted one-third of them,” he said. “The counties, local government, and local school boards need to work on consolidation.”

 

New endeavor for Coughlin

 

Coughlin, a former South Amboy councilman and former municipal court judge in Edison, said politics for him started out when he was appointed a member on the South Amboy Board of Education in 1984. He then served on the South Amboy City Council for two terms until 1992.

 

After serving two terms on the South Amboy council, Coughlin said politics took a back seat due to what Coughlin described as “life.

 

“I got married and had three sons,” he said with a smile.

 

As an attorney with an office in Woodbridge, serving as Woodbridge Democratic Organization chairman from 1997 to 1999, and serving as a municipal court judge in Edison, Coughlin said he has served a lifetime in the community already and developed networks in Middlesex County.

 

“Then this opportunity came up for me to help and be challenged, which made it more meaningful to run,” said Coughlin. “The opportunity came at the right time.”

 

The new assemblyman said he is excited to start his first term.

 

“I have friends who are terrific,” he said with a smile. “I’m more anxious than nervous. I want to do well; it’s truly an honor to represent the 19th District. I have driven into Trenton a few times, and it gives you a powerful feeling and a sense of real duty.”

 

Coughlin will remain a private attorney and will continue to serve as a township attorney for Woodbridge.

 

Wisniewski said he is looking forward to working with Coughlin.

 

“His experience is well-rounded for the district,” he said.

 

Coughlin said what he found troubling on the campaign trail is how negative New Jersey was being portrayed.

 

“We have the second highest per-capita income in the country, our school systems are excellent — we have a lot going for us,” he said. “The campaign advertisements were a constant deluge of New Jersey being this bad, broke, corrupt state. This needs to be addressed. Yes, we may have an $8 billion deficit, but we have to make sure we legislate and have public faith and integrity restored behind us. Most of these guys are good, honest, decent individuals.”

 

Corruption

 

Wisniewski had a brush with the New Jersey corruption probe that led to federal charges against 44 political officials in the state.

 

In June 2009, Wisniewski said he received a phone call from Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith (D-Hudson) asking to use his position on the Transportation Committee to help a developer.

 

“It’s not unusual to get these types of phone calls as a lawyer, but I realized that it was a conflict to use my position on the Transportation Committee,” he said. “I found out about the roundup in the newspaper.”

 

Wisniewski learned that Smith allegedly offered that in return for using Wisniewski’s clout as chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee to help Solomon Dwek, the state’s key witness, the developer would provide legal work for his law firm.

 

Wisniewski and Coughlin said they believe everyone has the same purpose when they run for state office.

 

“Some just get lost along the way, and in extreme cases, become criminals,” said Coughlin.

 

Wisniewski said good things are happening in New Jersey.

 

“We have the best and brightest people who work in government, and all we want to do is help the people and make the state a better place where our children can also stay and raise their children,” he said.

 

BY KATHY CHANG Sentinel Staff Writer