By: Dick Brinster
EAST WINDSOR Steve Commer, the fourth-place finisher among six candidates for three seats on the Twin Rivers board of directors, is one of three people seeking to fill a vacancy on the nine-member panel.
Also hoping to be appointed are Al Wally and Bill Dumanski. All three men have submitted resumes to the board, which according to President Scott Pohl will pick a replacement for John Pagliarulo at Wednesday night’s meeting.
"Because we’re familiar with all the candidates, the board will just review the resumes during an executive session at the end of our meeting and then pick a replacement," said Mr. Pohl, who added that there will be no interviews.
Mr. Pagliarulo resigned in March, three months after being re-elected to a three-year term on the development’s governing body along with Rob Moore and Becky Anthony. A toll audit manager for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Mr. Pagliarulo cited time constraints after taking the leadership of his union local when its president unexpectedly resigned in January.
"I don’t think they necessarily owe it to me," said Mr. Commer, who shoes horses for a living. "The vote of the people said I came in fourth."
Mr. Commer, 62, of Roberston Road, a sometimes-critic of the board that controls the development of 10,000 people, did not seem optimistic about his chances. He said he would like to criticize the inner workings of the board but did not want to hurt his chances.
"Once I find out they’ve filled the spot with someone other than myself, I’ll be willing to talk more," he said. "I would be a voice against what they stand for."
He doubted that Mr. Wally, a frequent critic of the board, would be chosen.
"They’ll never pick him, he’s too outspoken," Mr. Commer said. "But you always need a watchdog."
Mr. Wally, of Overton Road, finished fifth in December in his fifth unsuccessful bid for a board seat. He endorsed Mr. Commer’s candidacy last week in a letter to the editor of the Herald.
"Having Mr. Pagliarulo win a seat and then step aside for Mr. Pohl to choose whomever he wishes to join his group is truly an insult," said Mr. Wally, 65 and retired.
He and Mr. Pohl frequently trade heated remarks at board meetings. Mr. Pohl declined to comment on Mr. Wally’s charges.
"I am going to bet that neither Commer or myself get appointed," Mr. Wally said earlier this week.
Mr. Dumanski, of Ithaca Place, is a 50-year-old accounting manager who has been a member of the budget committee that reports to the board.
"My logic is that when you get to be my age you have to contribute back to the community you’ve lived in for over 25 years."
