Henkel, Treichler to step down from seats

The two Montgomery Township Committee members, serving their second terms, have announced they will not run for re-election this year.

By: Helen Pettigrew
   MONTGOMERY — Three seats on the Township Committee are up for grabs this fall, and two members of the committee will not seek re-election.
   Democratic Committeewoman Ali Henkel and Republican Committeeman Peter Treichler, both serving their second three-year terms, said this week they will not seek re-election.
   Ms. Henkel said she will not run because she may be unable to complete another three-year term. She declined to elaborate. Mr. Treichler said he would like to devote more time to his family.
   Mr. Treichler is a lawyer and runs his own law office in Montgomery. He has three sons who were involved in a total of 240 athletic events in the past year, including school, recreation and travel teams of baseball, soccer, football and basketball, he said.
   "It’s been a long time," he said of his term. "I’ve watched my oldest kid go from fourth grade to … he’s going to be a sophomore in high school by the time I get out of here and looking at college. It’s just a lot of time, especially if you try and do a good job."
   Mr. Treichler said he coaches some of the sports and tries to attend as many games as possible. He said he will remain involved in township activities.
   Ms. Henkel said she would not feel comfortable being elected for a new term when she is not sure if she will be able to serve all three years.
   "I believe I can be more effective for the balance of my term, focusing on the issues that will impact Montgomery’s future, without the distraction of working to be re-elected," she said.
   Ms. Henkel said she will continue to press for a solution to problems caused by deer in the township, and that she will continue to fight for a police chief, rather than a civilian director, to lead the Police Department.
   Democratic Committeewoman Louise Wilson said she will run for re-election. She was appointed by the committee to fill in for the remainder of this year for former Committeeman Jim Irish, who stepped down in January. In addition to the seats being vacated by Ms. Henkel and Mr. Treichler, there will be a separate election to fill the remainder of Mr. Irish’s term, which ends January 2003.
   Ms. Wilson said she has not decided whether she will run for the one-year term or one of the three-year terms.
   "I need to talk to the Democratic organization and discuss what makes the most sense strategically," she said.
   "I think I’m interested in being on the Township Committee for more than one more year, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth thinking about running for the one-year seat and then running the year after that for the three-year term."
   The municipal Democratic and Republican organizations are accepting resumes from potential candidates.
   The Democratic organization issued a press release this week, seeking "individuals who understand the important issues facing Montgomery, are willing to work with others to address these issues and are committed to working for the future of our community. We seek independent and hard working people."
   For more information, contact Alan Bookman, chairman of the Municipal Democratic Organization, at (609) 279-1314 or send a cover letter and resume to: Montgomery Democratic Organization, c/o Alan Bookman, Chair, 1 Danby Court, Princeton, NJ 08540.
   For the municipal Republican organization, interested individuals should contact Chairman Ted Maciag at (908) 704-8800 or send a cover letter and resume to: Ted Maciag, 127 Cherry Brook Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 by March 15.