Dietz, Ferrara and Klepich suggested
to fill seat vacated by John Souren
By:Roger Alvarado
The local Republican Party has given the Township Committee the names of three possible candidates to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Committeeman John Souren.
The Hillsborough Republican Municipal Committee’s nominees are township residents Walter J. Dietz, Anthony Ferrara and John Klepich. The Township Committee is expected to choose one of the men for the job by March 9.
Mr. Souren resigned from the committee Feb. 10 citing expanding job responsibilities and a desire to relocate to New Providence. First elected in November 2002, Mr. Souren had just under two years remaining on his term.
River Road resident Walter J. Dietz, 62, is a lifelong Hillsborough resident and is a private building contractor. He currently sits on the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Dietz says he views the nomination as a "great honor" for him.
Powelson Drive resident John Klepich, 51, has lived in Hillsborough five years and is a senior project manager at IBM. Mr. Klepich has been a member of the township’s Capital Planning Committee and is one of the district representatives for the Republican Party.
"I feel very honored that they would even think that I could be part of the Township Committee," he said. "I’m very honored and flattered."
Hoagland Court resident Anthony Ferrara, 39, has been a Hillsborough resident for 14 years. He has done marketing work for AT&T for 17 years.
Mr. Ferrara previously sat on the township’s Economic and Business Development Commission. He currently sits on the board of directors of the Organization for Autism Research.
His father George and his uncle Joe (both Ferrara) were police officers in Hillsborough for 25 years.
"I think it’s an honor to sit with the mayor and fellow committeemen if selected and to work with the people of Hillsborough," Mr. Ferrara said.
By law, the Republicans had 15 days from the date of Mr. Souren’s resignation to nominate up to three individuals to fill the open slot on the committee.
According to Mayor Steven Sireci the remaining members of the Township Committee will review the applicants and have 15 days to appoint someone to serve until at least Election Day in November.
Mayor Sireci has said he expects to have the position filled by the time of the committee’s March 9 meeting.
The chosen candidate will be able to seek election in November, but if not elected, would vacate the position in favor of the newly elected committee member who would serve out the one-year unexpired term that would then remain.
Fred Quick, Hillsborough’s Republican Party chairman, says the three candidates were chosen because of their "involvement in town and their background."
In addition, if elected to finish the one-year unexpired term next November, all three have committed to seek election for a full three-year term in November 2005, Mr. Quick said.