Two GOP Burlco freeholders will not seek reelection

Veteran Burlington County Freeholders William S. Haines Jr. and James K. Wujcik announced yesterday they would not seek reelection, saying they needed to spend more time attending to business.

Haines, owner of the largest cranberry farm in New Jersey, is expanding a cranberry farm in Chile. Haines, 56, of Medford, has been in office 15 years.

Wujcik, 51, of Cinnaminson, was recently named regional president at Sovereign Bank, which was taken over by the Spanish bank Santander in January. He has served 12 years.

The two men, both Republicans, have built reputations as freeholders who use their expertise to take a smart, businesslike approach to county work.

Wujcik helped develop a top emergency communications system and training center. Haines is widely known for his strong support of open-space preservation.

Haines said yesterday he was "not going to stop caring about it just because I'm not a freeholder." He's considering using some of his family foundation's resources to further the cause of open space.

As he winds down his county service, Wujcik said he plans to take a more active role in regional planning. He was recently named vice chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Economy League.

Both worked on cleaning up the Route 130 corridor and were aiming at a comprehensive plan for the communities along Route 206 on the county's eastern side.

The two became friends while on the freeholder board.

"We always worked together. It was almost as if we thought for each other in many ways. We pretty much had the same philosophy and focus and goals," said Wujcik.

Reflecting on his years of service, Haines said "it was never about kicking the can down the road for somebody else to deal with it."

The Burlington County Republican Committee plans to meet Saturday to nominate candidates for freeholder and other offices.

The announcement by Haines and Wujcik comes after significant inroads by Democrats in the strongly Republican county. The party captured two of the five freeholder seats in 2008. Democratic chairman Rick Perr promised a spirited general election in the fall.