Hopewell Valley’s officials hold reorganizations next week

Township expected to choose Republicans Kemp and Iorio as Township Committee leaders.

By Ruth Luse
   The governing bodies of Hopewell Valley’s three municipalities will meet to reorganize next week.
   Both Hopewell Township Committee and Pennington Borough Council will hold sessions at 7 p.m. Monday.
   Hopewell Borough Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6.
   For the first time since 1998, Republicans will take control of the Hopewell Township Committee. As a result, according to Committeewoman Arlene Kemp (Republican), she expects to take over as mayor. Newly elected member Mark Iorio (Republican) is expected to be tapped as deputy mayor.
   Mr. Iorio and Judy Abbott Niederer (also a Republican) will join the committee Monday, replacing outgoing Democrats Jon Edwards and Marylou Ferrara, who did not seek re-election in November.
   The remaining Township Committee members are Democrats David Sandahl and Vanessa Sandom, who have served this year as deputy mayor and mayor respectively.
   When elected in November, Mr. Iorio said, "The voters decided this is more than a one-issue town … I want open space and a bucolic community. But I am also realistic enough to know that I didn’t move to Montana or Vermont. There has to be a balance between open space and ratables. Our taxes have gone up 40 percent in six years in this township … I also think people are fed up with bickering within the Township Committee. A debate is one thing. Bickering is another."
   Ms. Niederer said her election and that of Mr. Iorio indicates "the township people are ready to have a Township Committee that works together again. This is not a one-issue town. There are more issues here than open space. The wastewater management plan has to be updated, for one thing … We will refocus and plan for the work ahead."
   In Pennington Borough, incumbent Democrat David Garber and newcomer Anthony Persichilli (Democrat) will be sworn in. They were elected in November along with Councilwoman Eileen Heinzel (Democrat), who took her oath of office shortly after the Nov. 2 election. Ms. Heinzel holds the seat previously held by Rebecca Palder, who resigned to move out of state. This unexpired term ends on Dec. 31, 2006. Ms. Heinzel served as an appointed member of council until after the November election.
   Another result of the November election will be the loss, on Dec. 31, of Councilman Kenneth Baker (Republican). Mr. Baker was not re-elected Nov. 2. When the governing body reorganizes, Mayor James Loper will be the only Republican left.
   After the November election, Mr. Garber said, "We have a wonderful town and I will continue to work hard to preserve what we have and to be responsive to our residents’ concerns. I look forward to working with newly elected council members Eileen Heinzel and Tony Persichilli and to continue the fine working relationship I have with Mayor James Loper."
   Mr. Persichilli said, "I met with many people in town during the campaign, and what I tried to do was communicate to them how I was thinking about a few important issues … To me, those are parking, having a business-friendly community and working on our relationship with The Pennington School, which is a big part of the town … Obviously, the voters are concerned about taxes. I’m fiscally responsible."
   Ms. Heinzel said she was "looking forward to working on the many issues that are coming before council."
   Remaining members of the six-member governing body are: James Lytle and Edwin Weed Tucker (Democrat). A replacement for Democrat Nancy Ross, who resigned recently, was appointed Monday at a special meeting. He is Joseph Lawver.
   In Hopewell Borough, incumbent Democrat David Mackie will begin a third term on council when he is sworn in on Jan. 6. Joining council will be Democrat Paul Anzano, who was elected in November. Mr. Anzano will replace Democrat Alice Carter Huston, who did not seek re-election.
   The remaining members of the governing body are: Mayor David Nettles (Democrat) and council members, David Knights (Republican), Robert Lewis (Republican, who recently replaced Janice "Jolly" Leigh), Schuyler Morehouse (Republican) and Mark Samse (Republican).
   Mr. Mackie said, after being re-elected, "I am delighted to be able to continue to serve the borough, together with Mayor Nettles and my fellow council members, and I am grateful for the continued support of our community … I am also very pleased that Paul Anzano will be joining us on the Borough Council. His skills and experience will be of enormous benefit to Hopewell."
   Mr. Anzano said, "I’m really looking forward to serving the borough … One issue I’m very interested in is our town’s water supply. We have to keep working on that issue and resolve it."