Konopka elected to second term
Republican Schomaker
earns seat on council
HOWELL — A split-ticket decision with a narrow margin of victory has resulted in a win for the town’s incumbent mayor and a seat for a new councilwoman.
Democratic Mayor Timothy J. Konopka, with 8,764 votes, held off the challenge of first-time Republican candidate James Stanberry, 8,050 votes, in the Nov. 7 election. Konopka will begin serving his second four-year term in January.
According to Township Clerk Bruce Davis, Konopka is the first incumbent in 10 years to win re-election.
However, the Republicans did not come away empty handed on Election Day. Stanberry’s running mate, Cynthia Schomaker, was elected to a four-year term on the Township Council with 8,480 votes, defeating Konopka’s running mate Dr. Mindy Factor-Spano, who received 7,767 votes.
Democratic Councilman Barry Segal, who was defeated in the June primary, will leave his council seat on Dec. 31.
Konopka said he was grateful for "the approval the people showed in my administration by re-electing me as mayor."
He said he looks forward to having Schomaker join the council and "for everyone continuing to work together for the betterment of all the citizens of Howell."
Schomaker already sits on the Planning Board, having been appointed by Konopka last year. She will be the only Republican on the council.
In addition to Konopka and Schomaker, the other members of Howell’s governing body in 2001 will be Kimberly Alvarez, George Pettignano and Fritz Kirchhof.
Calls left by the News Transcript for Schomaker were not returned by press time Monday.