GOP newcomer challenges incumbent Wintress in Montgomery

Republican Ed Sherman enters Township Committee race.

By: Kara Fitzpatrick
   MONTGOMERY — Republican Ed Sherman will challenge Democrat incumbent Karen Wintress in the November election.
   Mr. Sherman, a retired vice president of Infiniti East of the Nissan Motor Corp., moved to the township in 1988. He is a father of two children.
   A native of Boston, Mr. Sherman is a graduate of Boston College, where he received a degree in finance. He has a master’s degree in education from Boston University.
   Mr. Sherman is a Marine Corps veteran.
   Prior to his career with Nissan, Mr. Sherman was an English teacher in Boston. He currently serves on the township Veteran’s Memorial Committee.
   Although not ready to comment on his platform, Mr. Sherman said he is running for local office because, "I think I can make a difference."
   Ms. Wintress has been on the committee since 2001. The Democrat was elected in November 2001 to serve the remaining year of an unexpired term. She was re-elected in 2002 to serve a full three-year term. She has served as deputy mayor since taking office in 2002.
   A native of Manchester, Conn., Ms. Wintress graduated from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and works for American Re-Insurance.
   Ms. Wintress said she is running for re-election because she is "passionate about Montgomery. It’s a wonderful community.
   "A lot has been happening over the past few years and I’d like to be a part of it in the future," she said.
   During her years of service on the Township Committee, Ms. Wintress has been a member of the Environmental Commission, the Economic Development Commission and the Municipal Alliance — an organization formed to tackle problems facing the township’s youth. She also has been a member of the Planning Board and Master Plan Committee.
   Ms. Wintress said that, as a member of the Economic Development Commission, she has an interest in attracting more businesses to the township.
   One of the ways to do that, she said, "is articulate the assets that Montgomery has as a community for business." Currently, she said, Economic Development Commission members have been conversing with neighboring communities about their methods for attracting businesses.