Township Committee to select mayor

   Committee eyeing someone experienced in dealing with environmental issues.

By: Lacey Korevec
   Cranbury may get a new mayor in 2007.
   The five-member Township Committee will vote and elect a new township mayor for 2007 at its reorganization meeting in Town Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
   Of the Township Committee members asked by The Cranbury Press, only David Stout said he would consider seeking the post for 2007.
   "If people wanted me to be, I would have to give it some serious thought," said Mr. Stout Dec. 21.
   The mayor will be one of five votes on the committee, run committee meetings as chairperson and will serve as a member of the Planning Board.
   Committee members Pari Stave, Wayne Wittman and Richard Stannard have all served as mayor. The current mayor, Thomas Panconi, did not respond to several calls from The Cranbury Press.
   While committee members would not say who they would vote for, Mr. Wittman said he would "not be surprised" to see somebody who hasn’t served as mayor in the past take on the position, adding that he feels rotation is always a good thing.
   "I would not be surprised if it were to be somebody new," he said. "This person hasn’t been the mayor. Everybody else on the committee has been the mayor already. Everybody on the committee is qualified to be the mayor and I think all of us that are there could do the job."
   Mr. Stannard said the committee needs a mayor with environmental experience and fiscal responsibility.
   Mr. Stout has served on the township Environmental Commission and is now liaison to that group. He also serves on the Middlesex County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
   Committee members also said a new mayor should be a good leader and have the ability to listen and communicate effectively.
   "It sounds trite, but we need somebody who is capable of being motivated to lead but also is willing to work with the other four people on the committee," Mr. Stannard said.
   Ms. Stave, Ms. Stout, Mr. Wittman and Mr. Stannard said they feel confident that any current committee member could handle the responsibilities of the position and do the job well.
   "I would be happy if any of my other colleagues were mayor because I think they are all competent," Ms. Stave said.
   Mr. Stout, Mr. Stannard, Ms. Stave and Mr. Wittman said that no matter who is chosen, the mayor is a team leader and does not hold any more voting power than the rest of the committee members.
   "The mayor is just another committee member," Mr. Stout said. "We work as a team. I think anyone would be capable. We all bring value to the team as a whole."
   "We also need someone who can handle very complex problems that we’re going to be facing."