Moslowski, Horsnall-Mount, Leutwyler, Reed and Cantor win Tuesday
By Scott Morgan, Managing Editor
The volatile makeup of the Upper Freehold Township Committee race — which saw incumbent Republican Steve Fleischacker first drop out of contention then re-emerge as an independent, and independent candidate Jennifer Coffey bow out just two weeks ago — ended with a change of leadership.
Republicans Lori Horsnall-Mount and Stan Moslowski, both first-time candidates, won the Township Committee’s two available seats in convincing fashion Tuesday. Mr. Moslowski earned 1,250 votes and Ms. Horsnall-Mount 1,035 to claim the three-year seats. Mr. Fleischacker gathered 875 and Ms. Coffey, whose name could not be removed from the ballots after her late withdrawal, earned 242 votes.
Mr. Moslowski said Tuesday night that while he’s grateful to his supporters, he doesn’t want to speculate yet on how his tenure will shape up.
”I just want to thank everyone who voted for me,” he said.
Upper Freehold voters also passed a measure to add two additional cents to its open space tax rate. The idea, first broached by residents, landed on the ballot Tuesday and found 905 supporters, and 877 opponents.
The measure is expected to raise $264,000 in additional tax revenue for farmland preservation, according to officials.
The open space tax will jump to 6 cents per $100 valuation. The owner of the average-assessed township property ($519,800) currently pays about $208 annually for open space preservation. The 2-cent increase adds $100 to that bill, according to Mayor Steve Fleischacker.
In Plumsted, the death of longtime Committeeman and Deputy Mayor Ken Francis in September led local officials to replace him on the Township Committee. His replacement, David Leutwyler, a fellow Republican and personal friend of Mr. Francis, stood in for the late committeeman, whose name could not be removed from the ballot. Mr. Francis’ name earned 1,223 votes to secure one of two available seats on the Township Committee. Had Mr. Francis lived, his seat would have been a three-year post, but Mr. Leutwyler will only serve one year. The seat will be up for election again in November 2008.
Fellow Republican Steve Reed earned 968 votes to clinch the remaining committee seat, a three-year post. The race saw competition from Democrat Mitch Geier and independent Dennis Kleinknecht, who earned 441 and 777 votes, respectively.
Mr. Leutwyler said that he looks forward to doing the job he has been put in place to do.
”I’m not looking to fill Ken’s shoes because I don’t think anybody can,” he said. “I’m looking to do the best job I can … and make decisions for the right reasons.”
Mr. Reed said he also looks forward to getting to work and congratulated his opponents for running a good, clean campaign.
In Allentown, a very close race ended with incumbent Republican Dan Zorovich retaining his seat on the Borough Council. Absentee ballots were not counted as of Tuesday night and could, according to Borough Clerk Julie Martin, change the results. But as of Tuesday night, Mr. Zorovich earned 266 votes while party mate and newcomer Raymond Cantor earned 246 in the race for two three-year seats. Democrat Wayne Smith garnered 221 votes in his first campaign. Republican Mayor Stu Fierstein ran unopposed for his four-year seat. He earned 288 votes.
In Millstone, a single three-year seat on the Township Committee went to incumbent Republican Bob Kinsey, who earned 1,268 votes. Democrat challenger Bill Nurko, who is a former committeeman and mayor, garnered 858 votes.
All numbers above are unofficial.

