First-term councilman Richard Stannard is expected to be selected as Cranbury’s new mayor.
By: Matthew Kirdahy
Committeeman Richard Stannard is expected to be named Cranbury’s mayor for 2004 when the Township Committee holds its annual reorganization meeting Monday.
Departing Mayor Pari Stave, Committeewoman Becky Beauregard and new Committeeman Tom Panconi said they would support Mr. Stannard for the job, which is traditionally held by a different member each year.
Mr. Stannard, who has been in insurance for 30 years, said he would be happy to accept the role.
The Township Committee will meet 7:30 p.m. Monday. In addition to the selection of a new mayor at the reorganization meeting, Mr. Panconi, who defeated longtime incumbent Committeeman Alan Danser in November, will be sworn in to his first term. Ms. Stave, who won her re-election bid in November, will also take the oath of office for her second consecutive term on the Township Committee.
Ms. Stave was Cranbury’s mayor last year.
The Planning Board will hold its reorganization meeting at 8 p.m. Jan. 8 and the Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold its reorganization meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14.
Mr. Panconi’s defeat of Mr. Danser, a Republican who served on the Township Committee for 24 years, gives the Democrats a 4-1 advantage in 2004. Michael Mayes is the Republican on committee.
In Cranbury’s committee form of government, the mayor has few special powers.
The mayor is just one of five votes on the committee; runs the meetings as chairman; makes some appointments; and sits on the Planning Board.
"It’s been an itch I haven’t scratched," Mr. Stannard said. "I want to be mayor for the same reason I was interested in being on committee. I’ve always wanted to be in politics. Being a mayor is about having an open mind and being evenhanded and fair."
Ms. Stave and Ms. Beauregard said they support Mr. Stannard’s pursuit of the role because Cranbury government has always been about rotation and a new mayor would keep that tradition going.
"I think he’s an excellent choice for mayor," Ms. Beauregard said.
Mr. Panconi said that since it’s his first year on committee, it’s too soon for him to consider the job.
"I’ve got a lot to learn," he said. "I’m looking forward to getting sworn in and I’ll take it from there."