Candidates Night will be held Oct. 23 at the Cranbury School.
By: Nick D’Amore
Residents will get a chance to hear the candidates for Township Committee explain their positions and views on local issues, as well as ask them about any issue in particular.
This year’s Candidates Night will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Cranbury School cafeteria. It is hosted by the Woman’s Club of the Cranbury Public Affairs and Social Services Department.
Bobbie Marlowe, a member of the Woman’s Club, said the four candidates will participate in a panel discussion of each of their positions, moderated by Gladys Farisch, also with the Woman’s Club.
The four candidates are Democrats Mary Ellen Larson, Richard Stannard and Republicans Michael Mayes and Susan Hagerty. On Nov. 6 , they are seeking one of two three-year seats on the Township Committee.
After the discussion, Ms. Marlowe said the audience will have a chance to ask them questions and "pin them down on certain issues."
Though the event is usually "under attended," Ms. Marlowe said it is an important event for the community.
Mr. Mayes has served on the committee since 1998 and was selected mayor in January.
He also currently serves on the Planning Board and has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
He’s lived in Cranbury for 12 years and is married with four children. He graduated from Montclair State College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Ms. Larson has lived the past nine years in town and was originally from Jersey City and Secaucus. She attended Somerset County College, now known as Raritan Valley Community College.
She said she is running for the three-year committee seat because she feels can help in this capacity.
"People need to contribute to the community in which they live," said Ms. Larson.
Mr. Stannard, 50, has been living in Cranbury for four years, coming into the state after living in Stanford, Conn., for 20 years. Mr. Stannard attended law school at Fordham University and said the Township Committee seat would be a good way to begin his foray into politics.
"Cranbury is a little town with some issues, but they’re not overwhelming. I want to be a part of keeping Cranbury Cranbury," he said.
He said he also wants give back to the community that welcomed him when he first moved to New Jersey.
"We were very attached to Stanford and we didn’t want to move. Cranbury has been very good to me and my family. We were welcomed here," he said.
Mr. Stannard is married with three children.
He ran unsuccessfully for a committee seat in 2000.
Ms. Hagerty is a former township municipal judge. She ran unsuccessfully in 1999.