By Vic Monaco, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — The Borough Council will remain all Democratic following Tuesday’s election.
Jeff Bond, a former member of the Planning Board and current chairman of the Economic Development Committee, was the top vote-getter among three men seeking two seats. According to unofficial tallies, including absentee ballots, he received 630 votes.
Coming in second for his second full three-year term was retired teacher Walter Sikorski, with 591 votes. Lone Republican and political newcomer Mike Theokas, owner of Theo’s Lakeside Tavern on South Main Street, came in third, with 532 votes unofficially.
Mr. Bond and other Democrats gathered Tuesday night at the Wilson Avenue home of Councilman Dave Schneider, with congratulations for Mr. Bond beginning at 8:25 p.m. Mr. Sikorski arrived minutes later and admitted he had been concerned with the outcome because he feared he was behind in District 2, in which he eventually edged Mr. Theokas by only two votes.
”I’m relieved,” the 67-year-old council president acknowledged.
A beaming Mr. Bond said Tuesday night, “I’m more happy for Walter than me. I think he deserved to be re-elected. … I would have rather lost than see him lose.”
Mr. Bond, 62-year-old downtown developer and landlord, continued to exhibit humility when asked about his margin of victory.
”It’s not that much,” he said, while quickly adding, “I’m happy, I really am. … I’m ready to go.”
Mr. Theokas left his restaurant a little later Tuesday night to congratulate the Democrats at Mr. Schneider’s home. In a letter to the editor, he called his opponents “good men and fine public servants who I’m sure will make Hightstown proud.”
On Wednesday, the 34-year-old said he doesn’t plan to leave the political arena.
”I think my showing for being a first-time candidate was enough to make me encouraged, not discouraged,” he said.
”There are elections every year so I plan to move forward and I’m looking forward to running again,” he also said. “I’m also going to try to get involved on certain committees, continue to go to council meetings and speak publicly and stay in touch with current events.”
Mr. Theokas said the results in District 4, where he came in third, left him “scratching my head” because that district has been very supportive of Republican Mayor Bob Patten.
Mr. Sikorski said he thought he had been hurt a little at the polls by his “strong position on the rug mill.
”It’s ironic since the other two candidates had the same position. But I became the whipping boy.”
All three candidates stressed the importance of moving ahead with a plan for 130 residential units on the mill property on Bank Street, with Mr. Sikorski and Mr. Bond both being members of a committee addressing that long-delayed project. Many in town believe borough leaders should go back to an earlier vision, with fewer units and a rehabilitated municipal building, which is across the street from the mill.
During the campaign, Mr. Theokas and Mr. Sikorski said the borough’s financial problems make it clear that a merger with East Windsor is inevitable. Mr. Bond said he does not favor such a Draconian step.
Mr. Sikorski and local Democratic Chairman Torry Watkins expressed disappointment that only 42 percent of the borough’s 2,523 registered voters cast ballots. But Mr. Watkins said he wasn’t surprised.
”People simply aren’t informed on the issues,” he said.
Mr. Sikorski said, “I’m always disheartened when there are more people who don’t avail themselves the opportunity to vote, especially when we’re spending billions of dollars on a war in Iraq for democracy, and people are content to stay at home and let others make the decisions.”
