In Stockton, two incumbents gave up their chance for re-election just for the chance to unseat the mayor.
By: Mae Rhine
Heated battles, including a Stockton Borough Council that saw two of its members give up their seats just for a chance to unseat the mayor, highlight Tuesday’s primary election.
Stockton Mayor Gregg Rackin is facing Councilman Nicolo Messina for the Republican nod for mayor. The winner of that battle will face Democrat Councilman Stephen Giocondo in November.
Brian Huff, a Democreat, and Jeffrey Casaletto, a Republican, have no opposition for the seats relinquished by Mr. Messina and Mr. Giocondo.
In West Amwell, incumbent Tom Molnar is being challenged by Toby Rich for the Republican nod for the lone three-year seat available on the Township Committee. The winner will face William Corboy in November.
And in Lambertville, Mayor David Del Vecchio has no opposition for election in the primary or in November to a fourth straight three-year term unless a write-in candidate makes a strong showing in the GOP primary and gets the nod to battle Mr. Del Vecchio in the general election.
In Stockton, both Mr. Messina and Mr. Giocondo gave up their chance to run for re-election to their Borough Council seats for the chance to oust Mayor Rackin.
Mr. Messina said the council needs a "healthier work environment," not "constant conflict." Mr. Giocondo promises to bring "civility" to proceedings.
And both Mr. Messina and Mayor Rackin claim responsibility for the borough getting a $2 million grant from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
Mr. Messina said he is "proud" of the work he did to get the commission grant, which will fund road improvements on a portion of Mill Street and Railroad Avenue, the resurfacing and construction of water infrastructure improvements on Bridge Street and a new park-and-walk facility on Railroad Avenue. Also planned are new sidewalks, streetlights and guardrails as well as landscaping and some traffic-calming measures.
But the commission did not fund Stockton’s request in its first two rounds of grant requests.
Therefore, Mayor Rackin said his efforts to push the grant through, including contacting commission officials and state legislators, ultimately were responsible for Stockton receiving the money.
Mayor Rackin, 44, previously was employed by Merck Pharmaceuticals for 11 years as director of government affairs and policy. He left the company in 2003 and worked as an independent consultant, but that is taking a backseat to his duties as the father of two children and mayor of the borough, he has said.
Mr. Rackin holds a master’s degree in philosophy from Ohio University and bachelor’s degree in political science from Allegheny College.
Mr. Messina, 42, first ran for public office and won a seat on the council in 2003. He owns a commercial real estate investment company and also teaches at Bucks County Community College.
He received a master’s degree in fine arts from Cranbrook Academy and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Philadelphia University of the Arts.
Mr. Giocondo, 57, is a real estate appraiser employed by the state Department of Environmental Protection and sits on the State Real Estate Appraiser Board.
He has a long record of public service. In addition to his more than 13 years on the council, he spent 12 years on the Board of Adjustment. He also served seven years on the South Hunterdon Regional Budget Communications Committee and two years on the Stockton School Budget Communications Committee.
In West Amwell, Mr. Corboy said the township is in a financial fix because of decisions that were made that cost taxpayers.
But Mr. Molnar, who is serving as mayor this year, said the problems Mr. Corboy referred to were inherited from previous administrations.
Mr. Corboy, 65, is the retired chief of information systems for the Medicaid program for the state. He graduated from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and is a Navy veteran.
In addition to serving on the Planning Board, he also served on the Industrial Committee and spent nine years on the local school board.
Mayor Molnar, 54, teaches auto technology at the Burlington County Institute of Technology in Mount Holly. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey.
He has served on the Planning Board, the Board of Health, the Recreation Committee and the Country Fair Committee. Earlier this year, he led the push for the successful adoption of a pedophile ordinance, and he serves as the liaison to the local elementary school and the high school.
Mr. Rich, 47, is the vice president of Silvi Concrete. He majored in political science at Cameron University.
Here’s where to vote: In Stockton, the firehouse on Mill Street; in West Amwell, the municipal building at 150 Lambertville-Rocktown Road; and in Lambertville, residents of the 1st and 2nd Ward vote at the YMAC on Wilson Street and those in the 3rd Ward vote at the Union firehouse on North Main Street.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

