Four file to seek two seats

Danser, Klein, Stave and Panconi vie for committee seats.

By: Matt Kirdahy
   Two incumbents and two challengers filed to run in this year’s race for two seats on the Township Committee.
   Republicans Alan Danser and Leslie Klein and Democrats Pari Stave and Thomas Panconi filed with the township clerk’s office on Monday. The four will be on the ballot for the June primary and then will run for the two three-year seats in November’s general election.
   Both incumbents Mr. Danser and Ms. Stave will try to renew their terms. Ms. Stave, the current mayor, was first elected to the committee in 2001. She was appointed mayor for the first time in January and also serves on the township Planning Board.
   Ms. Stave grew up in Cranbury and has served on the Arts Council and Historical and Preservation Society.
   "I enjoy the work and would like to continue being a part of the committee," she said about filing for her second term.
   Ms. Stave of Plainsboro Road holds a job as vice president and director at the AXA Gallery in New York City.
   Mr. Danser of Petty Road would serve on the committee for his ninth term if re-elected. He has been a Cranbury resident and local farmer all his life. He volunteers with First Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Cranbury Lions.
   "I still enjoy it and feel as if I have something to offer," Mr. Danser said. "I’d also like to follow some projects through to completion."
   He mentioned the new police station scheduled to be built this year and the acquisition of open space, including the Fischer property at the south end of town.
   Mr. Danser also acts as the committee’s liaison to the Cranbury police.
   Ms. Klein of Cranbury Neck Road has been a resident of Cranbury since 1994. She said she plans to change the way the committee has used Cranbury taxpayers’ money if elected.
   "I don’t think the current committee has been fiscally responsible," Ms. Klein said.
   Currently, Ms. Klein is a textile designer for Avanti Linens Design in Moonachie.
   She has served as the Republican Committeewoman for the Middlesex County Committee.
   The other new candidate, Mr. Panconi of Bergen Drive, was unavailable for comment.