Politics & Government

New Candidate Looks to Bring Working Man Attitude

Allan Feid Jr. says that he offers a different kind of leadership for town council.

Last week, the race for town council changed dramatically as the previously held by Raymond Leibman on the town council ballot in November.

Feid, a 53 year old plumbing contractor, will team with Charles Granata as the Republican Party looks to occupy the majority on Livingston's town council.  Granata and Feid are .

According to Feid, The Livingston Republican Organization didn’t give him much time to make up his mind.  The whole ballot switched happened in the course of last week.  However, members of his party seemed pleased that he accepted the nomination.

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"Both Chuck and Allan have real and meaningful experience in dealing with government, which I think will be make them great council members and  valuable assets to the community,” Livingston Republican Chairman Barry Funt said in a statement last week.

Feid is the owner of , a family owned business started in 1955.  Feid was born in Livingston and lived in town until he was nine years old.  He moved back to town in 2003 from East Hanover.

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“I just thought that I might be good for the town,” Feid told Patch about his decision to run.  “I’ve been working here all my life and I’ve seen the changes that have gone on over the years and I feel I can give a little more advice to the town.”

One of the unique aspects that Feid thinks he can bring to the council is his experience dealing with the town in terms of contracting and securing permits for homeowners and businesses.  Feid is a former president of the New Jersey Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association and he is a member of the New Jersey Plumbing Inspector's Association.

“You don’t see too many working men going for the town council position,” says Feid.  “It’s usually the lawyers or the doctors.”

Feid is a member of Livingston Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Livingston Rotary Club and has been a member of Rotary International since 1986.  He has served on the Livingston Camuso Christmas decoration committee and is currently working with the township bicentennial committee.

"One of my other priorities is to develop ways to attract  business to town; beginning with reviewing the permitting process and  sign ordinances, as well as examining other ways to encourage local business growth,” said Feid in a statement last week.  “There are too many vacant storefronts in town and that hurts our community's appeal.  The town needs to become more business friendly and more accommodating to those who want to invest in a business in Livingston."

Feid will team with Chuck Granata in November.  Granata is a member of the Livingston Board of Education and works for the Livingston Police Department.  Despite being running mates, the two have not known each other long.

“I had never met Chuck until the convention,” Feid said about his running mate.  “I’ve seen his name in the paper and on the school board, but I’ve never had any personal relationships with him.  This is something new for me, but I’m very happy to run with him.”

The candidates are looking to fill the seats of Mayor Stephen Santola and Councilman Gary Schneiderman, both of whom decided not to seek re-election after several years of service.


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