Valley voters go to polls Tuesday

On Tuesday night, see hopewellvalleynews.com for results

By Ruth Luse
   With the exception of Hopewell Borough, where there are no contests for two seats (three-year terms) on Hopewell Borough Council, Valley voters will be going to the polls Tuesday, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., to decide the fate of those who face opposition in their bids for local offices.
   There are races in Hopewell Township and Pennington. Hopewell Township’s race involves one open seat (three-year term) on the Hopewell Township Committee. Pennington’s races involve the office of mayor (unexpired term) and two open council seats (three-year terms).
   In Hopewell Township, the candidates are:
   — Republican Michael Chipowsky, retired police chief, who spent 35 years with the local police force. He is a resident of Bear Tavern Road.
   — Incumbent Democrat David Sandahl, who lives on Dublin Road and is serving as deputy mayor.
   Hopewell Township voters also will be asked to vote on Public Question No. 1, which, if passed, would authorize a decrease in the tax levy for open space, recreation, farmland and historic preservation within the township. If the voters OK the referendum, the rate would drop from 4 cents per $100 of assessed property value to 2 cents.
   Back in August when the decision was made to place the question on the ballot, township attorney Steve Goodell said: "With the revaluation, our total assessed property value in the township has about doubled . . . With a 4-cent open space tax, we’d bring in about twice as much money as we do now. With a 2-cent tax rate, we should bring in about the same amount we do now." In other words, total open space tax revenues are expected to stay about the same if the referendum passes.
   In Pennington, voters will choose a mayor to finish former Republican Mayor James Loper’s unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2007. Candidates are:
   — Republican James Benton, a Kings Court resident, who was appointed to the post of mayor after Mayor Loper resigned.
   — Democrat Tony Persichilli, a borough councilman, who resides on Baldwin Street.
   In the case of this particular election, the winner will take office immediately upon certification of the results of the election pursuant to the provisions of state law.
   For Pennington Borough Council, the candidates for the two open council seats are:
   — Republican Rachel Donington-Torpey of Burd Street.
   — Incumbent Democrat Eileen Heinzel of Hale Street.
   — Republican Cosmo Iacavazzi of East Curlis Avenue.
   — Incumbent Democrat Joseph Lawver of Burd Street.
   The Hopewell Borough Council candidates are incumbent Republicans David Knights and Mark Samse, both of West Broad Street. No Democrats filed petitions in April for the seats and no candidates surfaced at the June primary.
   On the Mercer County level:
   Surrogate — Incumbent Democrat Diane Gerofsky of Lawrence Township is the candidate for the five-year term. The Republican candidate is Collette Coolbaugh, also of Lawrence.
   Board of Chosen Freeholders — There are three open seats (three-year terms). Democratic candidates are incumbent Elizabeth Maher Muoio of Pennington, Ann M. Cannon of Hightstown and Pasquale Colavita of Lawrence. Republicans are Marjorie L. Hopwood of Ewing, Ashley Hutchinson of Hightstown and Kim Taylor of Lawrence.
   U.S. House of Representatives, 12th Congressional District (two-year term) — Candidates are:
   — Incumbent Democrat Rush Holt of Pennington-Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell Township.
   — Republican Joseph S. Sinagra of Helmetta.
   U.S. Senate (six-year term) — Candidates are:
   — Democrat Robert Menendez of Union City.
   — Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr. of Westfield.
   — J.M. Carter (God We Trust), Lawrenceville.
   — Angela L. Larisey (Socialist Workers Party), Newark.
   — N. Leonard Smith (Solidarity, Defend Life), Hammonton.
   — Daryl Mikell Brooks (Poor People’s Campaign), Trenton.
   — Edward Forchion (Legalize Marijuana, G.R.I.P.), Browns Mills.
   — Gregory Pason (Socialist Party USA), Maywood.
   — Len Flynn (Libertarian Party), Morganville.
   All voters will be asked to cast ballots on the following state questions:
   — No. 1: Dedicates annual revenue of an amount equal to a tax rate of 0.5 percent under the state sales tax for property tax reform.
   — No. 2: Constitutional amendment to expand uses of dedicated tax revenues to fund improvements and facilities on preserved open space lands.
   — No. 3: Constitutional amendment changes the dedication of motor fuels tax to state transportation system.
   In Hopewell Township, there are now 12 voting districts. This past spring a new District 12 was created out of parts of old District 6 and old District 8. In Pennington Borough, there are three voting districts and in Hopewell Borough, two. See sample ballots for polling locations.