GOP keeps its two Township Committee seats

Democrats win in boroughs

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   Republicans James Burd and Michael Markulec were elected to the Hopewell Township Committee on Tuesday, defeating their Democratic opponents Robert Giangrasso and Janet Krommes.
   Mr. Burd led the field with 2,586 votes. Mr. Markulec had 2,413 votes. Ms. Krommes had 2,206 votes and Mr. Giangrasso, 2,065.
   A township ballot question to increase the open space tax rate by 1 cent, to 3 cents per $100 of assessed property value, was soundly defeated. The ballot question received 2,672 no votes and 2,006 yes votes.
   ”The resounding defeat of something that always has been very popular here shows how deeply concerned voters are about property taxes,” township Deputy Mayor David Sandahl said. “Locally, that means that we will have to be very tough on every line in our township budget, and that any new spending proposals are dead on arrival.”
   Messrs. Burd and Markulec landed three-year terms. They will replace two Republicans — Mark Iorio, who decided not to seek re-election, and Judy Niederer, who resigned Sept. 10 to take the position of recreation director.
   In late September, Robert Cacciabaudo, of Bear Tavern Road, was appointed to replace Ms. Niederer on the Hopewell Township Committee. Mr. Cacciabaudo’s appointment is through Dec. 31, when Ms. Niederer’s term ends.
   PENNINGTON — Tony Persichilli was re-elected mayor of Pennington Borough. Mr. Persichilli, a Democrat, handily defeated Republican challenger Richard Butterfoss. Mr. Persichilli, who landed a four-year-term, received 516 votes. Mr. Butterfoss, a former borough councilman, received 322.
   Democrats Catherine Chandler and Thomas Ogren, both running unopposed, were elected to three-year terms on Pennington Borough Council. Ms. Chandler received 572 votes. Mr. Ogren had 571.
   In a Pennington Council race for a one-year unexpired term, incumbent Democrat Robert Di Falco defeated Republican Lance Lewis, 489-305.
   HOPEWELL BOROUGH — Running unopposed, Paul Anzano was elected Hopewell Borough mayor with 456 votes.
   Also running unopposed, David Mackie and Sean Jackson were elected to Hopewell Borough Council with 458 and 444 votes respectively.
   Hopewell Valley voters (all three municipalities) also made choices for state Senate and General Assembly, Mercer County Executive and Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders. They also cast ballots on four state ballot questions. Results were:
   Senate (15th District)—Republican Bob Martin, a Hopewell Township resident, got 3,273 votes. The overall winner, incumbent Democrat Shirley Turner, got 2,744 votes.
   General Assembly (15th District) — Incumbent Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman received 2,858 votes. Incumbent Democrat Reed Gusciora received 2,825 votes. Republican Norbert Donnelly received 2,741 votes and Republican Sylvester Bobby Bryant, 2,688.
   Mercer County Executive — Incumbent Democrat Brian Hughes got 3,224. GOP challenger Janice Mintz, a Hopewell Township resident, received 2,801.
   Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders — Incumbent Democrats Anthony Carabelli and Keith Hamilton received 2,961 and 2,912 respectively. Republican challengers Shirley Guerieri and Robert Calabro received 2,869 and 2,797 respectively.
   Ballot questions:
   1 — State sales tax: 3,186, yes; 2,691, no.
   2 — Stem cell research: 3,359, yes; 2,716, no.
   3 — Land preservation bonding: 3,746, yes; 2,339, no.
   4 — State Constitution language: 4,179, yes; 1,794, no.
   According to Kim Bruno of Hopewell Valley’s Project Democracy, a total of 315 Valley students cast ballots Tuesday at various polling places. Results were:
   Hopewell Township — Mr. Markulec (130) and Ms. Krommes (125). Mr. Burd received 110 and Mr. Giangrasso, 118.
   Pennington students voted on the mayoral race only. Mr. Butterfoss got 17 and Mayor Persichilli, 39.
   In Hopewell Borough’s uncontested races. Mayor-elect Anzano got 18. For council, Mr. Jackson got 14 and Mr. Mackie, 4.