Voters support Democrats

Cranbury uses its voice through votes

By: Lacey Korevec
   Karl Kusserow kissed his wife, Pari Stave, on the cheek Tuesday as Township Clerk Kathy Cunningham read the Township Committee election results to a crowd at Town Hall.
   On the other side of the room, a group surrounding Republican candidate Rob Smithers let out a sigh of disappointment.
   That’s because Ms. Stave and fellow incumbent Democrat Thomas Panconi were re-elected to three-year terms on the Township Committee. Ms. Stave received 971 votes and Mr. Panconi received 952. They were running against Republican Diane Stasi, who received 622 votes, and Mr. Smithers, who received 479.
   "I’m very pleased with the results and look forward to working with everyone in the community for another three years," Ms. Stave said in between congratulatory handshakes from fellow committee members and friends. "I think this election proves that negative campaigning doesn’t work in Cranbury. What matters is hard work and sticking to the issues."
   Mr. Panconi said he was relieved by the results after running a nerve-racking campaign.
   "I was disappointed that their campaign tried to polarize the Ttownship," he said Wednesday. "And obviously, it did not work. Cranbury is about people doing what is right for Cranbury and it’s about everyone getting involved."
   Ms. Stave, 49, who has lived in Cranbury for most of her life, will serve her third, three-year term on the Township Committee, which she joined in 2001. She also was elected to serve as mayor in 2003.
   Mr. Panconi, 41, is currently serving as mayor and has been a Township Committee member and will begin his second term in January, when he and Ms. Stave are sworn in.
   Of the Ttownship’s 2,486 registered voters, 1,495 cast their votes on Tuesday. Many said farmland and open space preservation and taxes were some reasons they went to the polls.
   Resident Eddie Hafner said he voted for the Democrats.
   "I was very comfortable with the incumbents for committee people in Cranbury," he said. "I think they’re doing a wonderful job."
   A number of those who said they voted for Mr. Panconi and Ms. Stave said they didn’t feel they knew enough about the Republican candidates.
   Many residents, including John Ryan, said party affiliation doesn’t matter for voters in Cranbury, especially because the township is so small and everybody knows one another.
   "Locally, I usually vote on the basis of individuals," he said.
   Mr. Smithers e-mailed a comment to the Cranbury Press Wednesday morning.
   "I want to thank everyone that supported the Stasi/Smithers campaign," it read. "Also, I wish to congratulate Pari and Tom. I ask everyone regardless of who they voted for to join me in supporting our township leaders."
   After hearing the results, Ms. Stasi said she had no comment but was very disappointed.
   To relieve some stress, Mr. Panconi left for Disney World with his family on Thursday for a much-needed break. But after that, he said, he’s ready to hit the ground running.
   "I’m honored and privileged to continue for another three years serving the township of Cranbury," he said Tuesday night.