Anthony Carabelli, who turned 80 in August, has decided not to run for office again Watch video
WEST WINDSOR -- For more than 40 years, Anthony Carabelli has been a familiar face in Mercer County politics, but 2016 will mark his last year in office.
The longest-serving freeholder in the county's history, Carabelli has decided not to seek re-election.
The news was announced Thursday by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes during his State of the County address.
Carabelli, who turned 80 in August, said he still has "a lot of zip in him," but wants to spend more time with his wife, Carol, his children and grandchildren.
"Since I started out and the kids were small, I always had to go to meetings and she handled it," Carabelli said.
His political career started in 1970 when he was elected as a Trenton councilman. His tenure on the Board of Chosen Freeholders began in 1981 and he has been re-elected ever since.
"I'm just happy to serve. I enjoy it," he said. "When I started out as a councilman, I just meant to run for a term but everybody encouraged me to run for more. Then I went to freeholder and every term led to another term."
He said he is grateful for the support voters gave him election after election, but now it's time for others to be given the opportunity to serve.
"I'm willing to give good advice," he said.
Over his long career, Carabelli counts the redevelopment of Roebling Market as his proudest accomplishment. His efforts began in the mid-1970s when he was a councilman and it took nearly two decades for the project to come to fruition.
"I must have had 120 meetings to get it started," he said. "It took my 18 years. That will be my greatest accomplishment."
Peers praised him in a 1998 Times of Trenton article for his vision and persistence in bringing a commercial tenant to the eyesore.
"He was the first politician that really had the idea of using the steel complex," former Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer said at the time. "He believed in making it work. He definitely deserves credit. A lot of people forget about Tony's role, but it was one of his dreams."
Carabelli also called his vote against the controversial incinerator project one of his most important votes that helped save the county millions of dollars.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.