South county elections have only one contest

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   West Amwell’s election is the only local race that presents a contest this year, with two former mayors battling for a seat on the Township Committee.
   Republican Tom Molnar is challenging incumbent Democrat Ron Shapella for his seat on the committee. The term is for three years.
   Mr. Shapella, 55, served on the committee in 2004 and again from 2006 to the present. He was mayor in 2007.
   Mr. Molnar, 57, served on the committee from 2004 to 2006. His was mayor in 2006.
   In Lambertville, a horse race fizzled when the Republican candidate for City Council dropped out. Rick Anthes Jr., 22, said he dropped out for job-related reasons.
   Democratic candidates Beth Asaro and Ron Pittore will face no opposition in the general election for two three-year terms.
   Ms. Asaro, 49, has lived in Lambertville for 12 years. She grew up in Hopewell Borough where her father served as a councilman.
   She is employed by AT&T as a chief of staff. Ms. Asaro received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Douglass College at Rutgers University.
   Mr. Pittore, 62, is completing his first term on the council. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., and a law degree from Rutgers University. He was admitted to the bar in 1972.
   In Stockton, Kathryn Steffanelli and incumbent Councilman Neal Esposito, both Democrats, are running unopposed for two three-year terms on the Borough Council.
   Ms. Steffanelli would fill the council seat vacated by Constance Bassett, who declined to run for another term.
   Mr. Esposito was elected to the council in 2002. Before that, he had served another 13 years on the council.
   Ms. Steffanelli grew up in Clinton. She graduated from North Hunterdon High School. She is a financial analyst for A.M. Best Co. in Whitehouse.
   Also in Stockton, Democrat Andrew Dougherty, 47, is unchallenged for a two-year unexpired term. He previously served on the Stockton Public School Board of Education. He also has served on the borough’s Planning Board.
   Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 4.
   In Lambertville, voters in Wards 1 and 2 may cast their ballots at the YMAC on Wilson Street. Voters in Wards 3-1 and 3-2 may cast their ballots at Centenary United Methodist Church on North Union Street.
   In West Amwell, the polls are located at the municipal building at 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road
   In Stockton, the polls are located at the Stockton firehouse on Mill Street.
   In Pennsylvania, there are no local races in New Hope and Solebury this year.