Brad Fay considered the leading candidate to replace committeewoman
By: Jake Uitti
MONTGOMERY Citing personal reasons, Township Committeewoman Karen Wintress submitted her resignation Monday, effective immediately.
"I have been dealing with some personal issues with my family, so I am going to be returning to Connecticut to continue to deal with those issues," she said in a phone interview Tuesday. "It is with deep regret that I leave Montgomery. It was a difficult decision."
Ms. Wintress, who has made Montgomery her home for the past 15 years, said she will be moving to Connecticut next month.
"It’s going to be tough to say goodbye," she said. "I feel very blessed to have been working on some important projects in Montgomery."
The process for finding a replacement has already begun. Under state election law, the Montgomery Democratic Organization has 15 days from the date Ms. Wintress’s resignation took effect to provide a list of three names from which the Township Committee will choose her replacement.
The Township Committee has 30 days from the date of the resignation to choose one of those three candidates to take Ms. Wintress’s seat. The person chosen will serve on the governing body until the next general election.
On Tuesday, Nickole Forbes, chairwoman of the Montgomery Democratic Organization, submitted three names to the township clerk.
The three candidates are Brad Fay, former president of the Van Harlingen Historical Society; Sue Repko, who has been involved in the former North Princeton Developmental Center planning process; and Sarah Roberts, a township Planning Board member.
The leading candidate to replace Ms. Wintress is thought to be Mr. Fay, who ran on the Democratic ticket with Committeewoman Ceclia Birge in the Nov. 7 general election. Mr. Fay finished third in the balloting behind incumbent Republican Mark Caliguire and Ms. Birge. Walter Geslak, a Republican, finished fourth.
"Brad is the primary candidate," Ms. Forbes acknowledged.
Committeeman John Warms, a Democrat who supported the two Republican candidates in the Nov. 7 election, said he supports Ms. Repko.
"I am very pleased that Sue Repko is one of the candidates," he said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I think Sue Repko has done a great deal for the community, especially with respect to helping us obtain NPDC. I would hope that my fellow Democrats and Mark would recognize her abilities and select her because she is an outstanding candidate."
He added, "I like Karen very much. I am sorry to see her go."
Ms. Forbes also said that Ms. Wintress will be missed.
"We thought her performance on the Township Committee was amazing," Ms. Forbes said. "I thought she brought a lot of good manners and civility."
Mayor Louise Wilson agreed. "Karen’s service over the years has been so solid," she said. "And her contribution has been quiet but very, very meaningful in terms of the quality of questions that she asks and the care and thoughtfulness that she has always brought to her public service."
Mayor Wilson cited Ms. Wintress’s dedicated work as the committee’s liaison to the Environmental Commission as one area in particular where she will be missed.
"Karen was the one who, about four years ago, really got the ball rolling on getting 3M to clean up its act," she said. "That was a problem that, at the time, had grown to a crisis."
Ms. Birge said Ms. Wintress was a strong force in building consensus in the community and has been an advocate for open government.
Mr. Fay said he is honored that the Democratic Organization is offering his name as a candidate for appointment to the Township Committee, adding he is hopeful its members will choose him for the position.
"I spent a lot of time and effort meeting people and learning about township affairs," he said, "and it would be very satisfying to put what I have learned to the benefit of the township."
He added, "I think Karen’s done a great job for the township. Like many residents, I am sorry to see her leave."
Committeeman Mark Caliguire said, "I have the utmost respect for Karen. She’s someone in her own quiet low-key way made clear she cares a lot about Montgomery."
Township Administrator Donato Nieman echoed Mr. Caliguire’s sentiments. "I’ve worked with her for over five years," he said. "She is one of the hardest working elected officials that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. She has always put the interest of Montgomery foremost. She’s been great to work with."

