Mayor Carl Suraci issued a statement on Wednesday responding to criticism from the pair of Democratic candidates running for Hillsborough Township Committee regarding the hiring of Anthony Ferrera as township administrator. The candidates, Michael Goldberg and James Farley, said they believe the hiring of the former mayor was done without a comprehensive search and because of his affiliation with the Republican party.

Suraci in his statement said the township did not hire Ferrera hastily and that it was six weeks between the announced departure of former administrator Michael Merdinger and the hiring of Ferrera. He also said "we have hired the most qualified person."

The following is the statement in its entirety.

My motivation for responding is my concern that the public not be misinformed, and that it has always been your policy, and that of the TC, to keep the public as accurately informed as possible, which is why the TC maintains a robust website, televised meetings, and an award-winning e-newsletter.

Unfortunately, Mr. Goldberg's press release is his latest attempt to deceive the residents of Hillsborough. Over the past few years, he has regularly issued campaign press releases filled with lies which do nothing more than call into question his credibility and that of his candidates.

In 2010, there was the lie regarding medical coverage for part-time professionals (e.g., judge, attorney, and prosecutors). I, along with my colleagues, had eliminated medical coverage for part-time professionals years earlier.

Last year, there was the lie regarding an increase in crime when in fact it decreased from the prior year and continued to show a downward trend.

Now, we have the lie regarding the hiring process for our new administrator. The announcement of Mr. Ferrera's hiring did NOT occur days after Mr. Merdinger's announcing his stepping-down from the position. In fact, the two events happened approximately six weeks apart!

I would like to conclude by stating that, after a thoughtful and careful review of individuals' qualifications, we have hired the most qualified person. During Mr. Ferrera's nearly eight years on the Township Committee, including two years as mayor, along with two years at the Department of Labor managing a staff of over 20 direct reports and managing a grant portfolio of $145 million, coupled with his extensive private sector experience and not for profit community service, Mr. Ferrera has exhibited exactly the qualifications and skills to be Hillsborough’s next administrator. He has our full confidence and trust and we look forward to him joining the Township.