An absolute case of  mistaken identity

       MOUNT OLIVE (2/6/08) - Council President Ray Perkins is absolutely unequivocal.  “That’s not me.  I’ve never been unaffiliated,” he said yesterday when questioned about a Mount Olive man with the same name who was interviewed by a reporter for the Daily Record doing a primary election reaction story.

   Perkins, a two term councilman who earlier this month was elected Council President,  is a proud Republican and not only has he never been “unaffiliated” the thought has never crossed his mind nor would it, he said.  “I’ve been a Republican all my adult life and so has my wife, Lauren.”

   The Ray Perkins of Mount Olive was one of several county residents questioned by Reporter Mike Daigle in his article.  He said he approved of New Jersey changing the primary election day from June until February.  “It made a big difference,” he is quoted as saying, “It was a good idea” adding he was changing his unaffiliated position to enroll this year as a Democrat.

    Council President Perkins said he knew there was another Ray Perkins living in the township but didn’t know him.  He said he’ll be reaching out to him next year when he and three other Republican Council members are up for re-election. “Maybe when he evaluates the job we’re doing legislating the town’s business he’ll consider

‘re-unaffiliating’ to be a proud Republican, or at least cast his votes for the Republican ticket,” he said.