Westfield's Barabas Running for Union County Freeholder

Diane Barabas will take a second run at a seat on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in November. Barabas, who has lived in Westfield for 25 years, ran in 2006 but did not win.

Freeholders formulate and adopt a budget for the county as well as set county policies and procedures. Additionally, they oversee county spending and functioning. Each member of the nine-member Freeholder Board is elected to a three-year term on a staggered basis, with three seats opening up each year. 

While she said she has a bit of experience with campaigning, Barabas said she hasn't "jumped back in" since her 2006 run.

In July 2011, the realtor was overlooked by Third Ward Republicans who selected to fill the Town Council seat left vacant by former Councilman Mark Ciarocca. Had she been picked, Barabas would have faced Democrat Matt Sontz and Independent Greg Kasko in the November election. LoGrippo won that election and is currently serving a four-year term.

"I am part of the Union County Republican party," Barabas explained. "Our chairman Phil Morin contacted me to find out if I would take one of the slots during this election year and I thought about it. I thought a couple of times about my local community. This keeps me very active with the Republican party and it's a great venue, especially for women."

Barabas said the issue she is most concerned about is making residents aware that more of their tax dollars are leaving town and going to the county than are remaining in their own backyard.

"I think many times that the voters have been very negligent on realizing that they are now paying more tax dollars to the county than they are to their municipality," she said. "And that happens because most people, when they're paying their mortgage, the tax bill is included in their mortage so I think they're assuming their entry is really going to the muncipality.

"Here in Westfield, we're paying 20 percent to the county, two percent over our local government, so I think it's really important that people start to become a little bit more proactive."

Barabas also pointed out that for the past 15 years the Freeholder Board has been comprised solely of Democrats.

"There's been no Republican representation," she said. "There is even a bit of contention amongst the Democrats. There's a group, they call themselves 'Democrats for Change' so it seems there's been more concern even on their part."

Another issue that concerns Barabas is her belief that high taxes are driving residents out of town. 

"Tax payers are leaving Union County because of the tax burden," she said.

In addition to her political interests, Barabas was the first woman to serve as chair of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, where she spent two years. The businesswoman also owned Diane B Designs, an interior design consulting firm, which was located in downtown Westfield, for eight years. She also served on the board of the Downtown Westfield Corporation.

As she launches her campaign, Barabas, a mother of two, said she is counting on the help of her social media-savvy son to help her spread her message.