Residents air views on candidates as they cast ballots
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Township voters got their chance to speak about the Township Council election Tuesday — and those messages were mixed.
Some voters pulled the lever for a straight party vote, while others scrutinized the ballot and picked some candidates from both columns A and B.
Ray and Ruth Primka, of Pin Oak Drive, were among the voters who voted for one party — in their case, the Democratic ticket, casting their ballots at the Lawrence Road Fire Company polling place.
Ms. Primka said she voted a straight Democratic ticket because she was not happy with the Republicans, starting at the White House. She said she did not know too many people who are happy with the Republicans.
”I am happy with the people who have been in there,” Mr. Primka added, referring to Democratic Township Council members Pam Mount and Michael Powers who were re-elected Tuesday. They ran with newcomer James Kownacki, who as of Wednesday was in fifth place in votes, closely trailing Republican candidates Falk Engel and Bob Bostock. Mr. Bostock had been declared the winner but provisional ballots had yet to be counted as The Lawrence Ledger went to press.
”I am pleased and happy and satisfied with (the incumbents),” he said. “I would like them to remain there and do the (good) job they seem to be doing.”
Eldridge Avenue resident David Conard, who also voted at the Lawrence Road Fire Company, said he normally votes a straight Democratic ticket, but at the municipal level, he said he was willing to take a look at the “opposition candidates.”
”I got a considerable amount (of campaign literature) from the Republicans,” Mr. Conard said. “There was even some from Democrats who supported a Republican. That piqued my interest, but I stayed with my party.”
A campaign mailing from the Lawrence Coalition for Falk Engel, which read in part that “Lawrence Democrats are looking to (Republican Party candidate) Falk Engel, a proven reformer and a strong voice for working people.”
Mr. Conard said he likes the direction Lawrence Township is headed and pointed to the Democratic-dominated Township Council’s successful efforts to preserve open space, such as the Loveless Tract on Eggerts Crossing Road, which was preserved as the Loveless Nature Preserve this past summer.
But some voters said they believed a change in direction was needed, which was why they voted for the Republican Party ticket of Messrs. Bostock and Falk and their running mate, Marie Tagliaferri.
Slack Avenue resident Pepper Evans, who voted at the Slackwood Fire Company polling place, said she voted for the Republican candidates — Mr. Bostock, in particular — because “it’s time for a change.”
Ms. Evans said she would like to see a balance of political parties on Township Council, which has been dominated 4-1 by the Democrats. Republican Township Councilman Rick Miller “never gets a chance” to get his ideas across because of the political party imbalance, she said.
At the Lawrenceville Fire Company polling place, Ken Kremer, of Craven Lane, was one of the voters who split the ticket and voted for some Republicans and some Democrats.
”I split my vote because I am not totally satisfied with some of the people in power,” Mr. Kremer said. “I split the ticket to maintain a balance in government. I don’t think either party is doing a good job, so this is one way to send a message.”
Bergen Street resident Frank Seidl, who also voted at the Lawrenceville Fire Company, said he voted for the Republicans because he is “not too happy with the way (the Democrats) are handling some things.”
Mr. Seidl said he was “especially unhappy” with Township Council’s handling of the Trent Motel. He alleged the council “finagled a deal” with a developer who is the wife of Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer.
He was also critical of Township Council’s efforts to block Capital Health System’s proposal to relocate to Lawrence. The township “lost out on it” to Hopewell Township, he said.
”They don’t have our best interests first in mind,” Mr. Seidl said of the Democrats. “It’s frustrating. We have to give somebody else a chance, whether it will work or not.”
Mike Poot, of Gordon Avenue, agreed.
Mr. Poot said he “leaned” toward the Republicans and that it is time to “turn over” the political makeup of Township Council. He said he voted for Mr. Powers, Mr. Bostock and Mr. Engel.
”It’s not a Democrat or Republican issue. Many people deserve a shot (at serving on Township Council). People shouldn’t be in there for too long,” Mr. Poot said.