Republican says he will likely run for full term on Montgomery Township Committee.
By: Paul Sisolak
MONTGOMERY With the swearing in of new Committeeman Mark Caliguire, the Township Committee was back operating on all five cylinders Thursday evening.
With his taking of a seat on the governing body, Mr. Caliguire begins a six-month interim term replacing Sondra Moylan, who resigned from the committee March 21.
In the weeks following Ms. Moylan’s departure, the committee carried on with four members.
Mayor Louise Wilson said the committee had discussed at length the nomination and reached a consensus to vote Mr. Caliguire onto the committee. The two other nominees were Republicans Janet Linnus and Tom Wilson.
No stranger to serving in the township, Mr. Caliguire served a similar temporary committee spot when he replaced Ali Henkel for four months in 2001. In the following race to complete the term, he lost to current Deputy Mayor Karen Wintress, who beat him a second time last November for a full three-year term on the committee.
Mr. Caliguire said, because he was defeated twice, his initial reaction to his nomination to replace Ms. Moylan by the Township Republican Committee was a hesitant no.
"I assumed this slot would mean an obligation to run this November," he said.
"The more I thought about it, I enjoy serving," he added. "One thing about the Township Committee is that you really can make an impact on the town."
Shortly after her resignation, Ms. Moylan said Mr. Caliguire is the most qualified candidate and would make a good replacement on the committee.
"He cares about the town and issues," she said.
Mr. Caliguire now joins Committeeman Donald Matthews on the Republican side of the committee.
Mr. Matthews called Mr. Caliguire the "most logical choice" because of the expertise he gained while previously serving on the committee.
"Why wouldn’t it be logical to use someone with the best interests of the town?" he said.
"Mark is the most dedicated person," he added.
Mr. Caliguire, president of ANW Crestwood in Lincoln Park, a specialty paper maker, said his extensive background in business would make him a key asset in dealing with municipal budgets. Ms. Wintress, also a member of the Montgomery Economic Development Commission, agreed.
"He comes from a background of small business but hands-on in running it," she said.
She also noted Mr. Caliguire’s background as an attorney would be an advantage to the committee.
Mr. Caliguire said the former North Princeton Developmental Center has "incredible recreational potential," and would like to see the committee push further to purchase the property from the state.
"NPDC is such a diamond in the rough," he said. "I hope I can have some positive impact on that."
Mr. Caliguire said he most likely will run for re-election in order to continue on the committee after his interim term expires in November. The deadline for filing petitions to run in the June primary is Monday at 4 p.m.