EDITORIAL
By Ruth Luse
It’s time to say thanks for jobs well done and to offer our best wishes to some new people who will help lead our towns during the years ahead.
As this new year begins, our local officials will be occupying themselves with the business of reorganizing for 2003.
The first to prepare for a new year of toil is the Hopewell Township Committee, which meets tonight to among other things swear in two members and pick a mayor and deputy mayor for the next 12 months.
Arlene Kemp, a Republican, will take her seat on the five-member committee, along with Vanessa Sandom, a Democrat. Ms. Kemp takes the place of Robert Higgins, Democrat, who was defeated in the November general election. Ms. Sandom, who was chosen to take the place of Kathleen Bird in October 2001, also won herself a three-year term in that election.
On behalf of the citizens of Hopewell Township, we want to thank Mr. Higgins for his efforts on behalf of his community. We know he always took his work very seriously. We wish him well in his future endeavors.
On Monday, Hopewell Borough Council and Pennington Borough Council will meet to reorganize.
Hopewell will be saying goodbye to Thomas Dallessio (Republican), who has served as council president for several years. Mr. Dallessio, a former chairman of the Hopewell Harvest Fair, also took a stab at getting elected to the state Assembly when the Valley became part of the new 15th Legislative District recently. He did not win, but ran a good race. Hopewell owes Mr. Dallessio, who dropped out of last year’s council race for personal reasons, a debt of gratitude for his years of service.
We also want to thank Henry Wittman III (Republican), who finished one term on council Dec. 31, for his work on behalf of the borough.
Hopewell Council will welcome one political newcomer, Janice "Jolly" Leigh, a Republican, to its ranks. Ms. Leigh, who also is president of Hopewell Business Association, plans to bring her special perspective on business and her lifelong acquaintance with the borough to the council.
Republican Schuyler Morehouse, who served briefly on council during 1989-90, will join council again on Monday. He also serves on the Hopewell Board of Fire Commissioners and on the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority. His wife, Liza, is a former councilwoman.
Pennington Borough Council will be losing Democrat Liz Muoio, who also has been and is a member of the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For the citizens of Pennington, we thank Ms. Muoio for her work on behalf of her town since 1997, when she joined the governing body.
Joining Pennington’s governing body, this time as a councilman, will be Edwin "Weed" Tucker, who served the town as mayor from January 1976 through December 1979. To be sworn in with him Monday is fellow Democrat Jim Lytle, who was re-elected to his council seat in November.
Also being sworn in Monday to the seat once held by Diane Naffziger, is Ken Baker, president of the Hopewell Valley Republican organization. He is a current member of council and was elected in November to keep the seat to which he had been appointed previously.
May 2003 be a peaceful and productive year for all!

