Anti-immigrant measure fails in Bound Brook

by: Scott Weingart

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 10:51:04 AM EDT

Yet one Bound Brook councilman still hasn't given up trying to drive as many Hispanics out of the Borough as he can. Yesterday, Republican Council President Jim Lefkowitz introduced a measure which would require renters to prove to their landlords that they are not illegal immigrants. Fortunately for residents Bound Brook, Lefkowitz's proposal didn't get very far. The borough's Republican Mayor, Carey Pilato, opposes the ordinance, making it impossible for Lefkowitz to pass it without support from at least one Democrat on the evenly divided council.

Bound Brook voters will have a great chance to dump Lefkowitz this fall. Lefkowitz and fellow Republican Margaret Lyons will face Democrats Jean Mangino and Lorraine Call for two borough council seats, including one open seat, this fall. Incumbent Republican Paul Hasting is resigning today and will not be running for re-election. If Democrats succeed in taking just one of the two seats, they will hold a veto-proof 4-2 majority on the borough council.