Week of April 12
Editor’s note: No letters pertaining to the April 17 school board elections are printed in the issue immediately preceding the election except to correct or respond to a previous letter. For the June 5 primary, the last date letters can be printed pertaining to that election will be May 24.
Florence Democrats announce candidates
To the editor:
The Florence Township Democratic Committee today announced its slate of candidates for mayor and two Township Council positions. John Fratinardo will be running for mayor, with the team of Maryann Marian and Sean Ryan running for the two "at large" Township Council positions.
Endorsed by retiring Florence Township Mayor Michael "Mickey" Muchowski and Councilwoman Betsy Ryan, the team brings a wealth of municipal experience, service and a firm working knowledge of the issues facing Florence Township.
"We plan to continue the legacy of Mayor Muchowski by doing what is right for the people of Florence Township, while holding the line on the local purpose tax," said John Fratinardo.
Under this leadership and the leadership of the Democratic controlled Township Council, the local purpose tax has remained flat, with no increases for the past five years.
Maryann Marian added, "It is vital we represent our community when making decisions that will impact their pocketbooks."
Sean Ryan noted, "It is very important we attract business to the township that will bring in tax ratables, while ensuring that the businesses are the right fit for our community." Fratinardo noted that, "The tax rate for local purpose is actually 2.4 cents per $100 lower today then when I took office in 2000."
John Fratinardo is the mayoral candidate. He has served on the Township Council for two terms, and has served as Council President for three terms. He is also a member of the Planning Board. John graduated from Jersey City State College, served in the US Army, and recently retired as Building Manager for the NJ Department of Treasury. He is a member of the Holy Name Society of Holy Assumption Parish, a volunteer tutor for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and a member of Post 39 American Legion. He and his wife, Claudia, have lived in Florence Township For 20 years.
Maryann Marian was born and raised in Village of Roebling. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Zoning Board. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University, and her master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. Maryann is a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Post 39. She is a member of St. Mary’s Romanian Catholic Church. She has served as a past governor’s appointee to the statewide Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Maryann does volunteer work with cancer patients at Virtua Health, Mount Holly and has spent time doing volunteer work in Romania. She is employed by the NJ Department of Health, Division of Aging and Community Services.
Sean Patrick Ryan was born and raised in Florence Township. He currently serves as a member of the Florence Township Planning Board, the Environmental Commission, as well as the Economic Development Committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and marketing at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Sean has held a job since he was ten years old and places great emphasis on his work ethic. Sean is currently employed in the community by Dame & Co./Ross Alarm Service, Inc. as a project coordinator.
Florence Township
Democratic Committee
Live art auction a resounding success
To the editor:
On a recent Saturday evening in the quiet little town of Columbus a wonderful thing happened. The Columbus Home & School Association hosted its first ever Live Art Auction. The evening was a huge success and we would like to take the opportunity to thank those who attended the evening and spent so generously.
We would also like to thank all of our local businesses and families who supported this fundraiser by donating door prizes, by taking ads in ourprogram and/or by sponsoring us. The members of the Columbus Home & School Association truly appreciate your continuous support and generosity.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Lori Magee and Nancy Belonzi of The Rutgers EcoComplex, to Sanjiv Chandel of the Liquor Loftin Springfield, Jim Mastoris of Mastoris Diner in Bordentown and Ned Qureshi of Classy Diamonds in Woodbridge, for their generous donations.
We would like to thank our committee; Christine Allen, Robin Blue, Beverly Brodowski, Donna Giampietro, Bethann Goldberg, Denise Horner, Barbara Militch, Krissy Patton, Lynn Stanley and Tracey Visalli, along with their husbands, for working so hard to make this event a phenomenal success. Finally, thank you to Rap Reinhardt for your superb mentorship.
Jacquie Wolverton
Diane Narwid
Auction co-chairs

