Two local Republicans have filed to run for a four-year seat on the Township Council.

Anthony Riccobono and Kermit Wade are expected to be on the ballet on Nov. 6. The two will replace Synnove Bakke and Jim Johnson as candidates. Bakke and Johnson each withdrew their names from the ballot last week.

Wade has been an East Brunswick resident for 12 years and his wife has lived in town most of her life. The stay-a-home dad says he wants to get involved with the community and work to make it a better place for his children.

“I’ve always been interested in local politics,” he said. “I love the fact that you can represent where you live. You have something at stake in your community. I have small children and I would like to make the town better.”

Riccobono is a former Township Councilman who moved to East Brunswick in 1986. In addition to his time on the council, from 1991 to 1996, he has participated in more than eight boards and committees, notably the Planning Board, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and the Environmental Commission. In addition, he is a volunteer at the East Brunswick Community Garden and at Rutgers Gardens.

Though he is semi-retired, he formerly worked for the township Sewage Authority and for the Waterfront Commission of the New York City Harbor.

He said that he had previously considered running for Township Council again, but was unable to do it until now.

“I considered it several months ago,” he said. “I was first asked a couple of months ago...but at the time I had to say no.”

He said he would like to see more transparency in the township, and would work to ensure that township money is not only being saved, but being used effectively, particularly for infrastructure. He pointed to the recent closure of the township skate park as an example of what could be done better in the township.

“The council has had to rely on information of the mayor, he’s like a filter for town. Whatever information there is, it goes through mayor, it goes through (Township Administrator James White), and I think that needs to change.”

Riccobono and Wade will join mayoral candidate Republican Eugene DeMarzo on the ballot. They are running against Democratic incumbents Nancy Pinkin and Denise Contrino and Mayor David Stahl.

Follow Patch on Facebook. Visit www.facebook.com/EastBrunswickPatch and like us. You can also find us on Twitter at twitter.com/EBrunswickPatch.