Democrats maintain 5-0 control of Township Council

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   Incumbent Democrats on the Township Council won a resounding victory in Tuesday’s election, defeating their Republican challengers by an almost 2-to-1 margin at the polls.
   Council members Carol Barrett, Joe Camarota and Charles Carley were all re-elected to the three, four-year seats on the ballot this year. They defeated first-time Republican candidates John O’Sullivan and Steve Walrond.
   Ms. Barrett, of Mahogany Court, was the top vote earner in the election, garnering 9,914 votes. Mr. Camarota received 9,781 votes, followed by Mr. Carley who received 9,765 votes.
   Mr. O’Sullivan led the Republican ticket with 5,363 votes, followed by Mr. Walrond who received 5,231 votes.
   The Democrats gathered at VFW Post 9111 to view the results as they came in, crowding around the projected image of a spreadsheet. Mayor Frank Gambatese read the results from each district as they were entered into the computer, revealing how successful the night had been for the Democrats.
   ”It feels wonderful, it is actually very humbling,” Ms. Barrett said as the last results came in.
   Ms. Barrett, who has been a council member since 1999, said her goals for the new term are to get the South Brunswick Municipal Area Residential Transit bus service up and running, and to continue to push for the widening of Route 1.
   Mr. Camarota and Mr. Carley were first elected in 2004. Mr. Camarota said that being re-elected felt even better than winning for the first time.
   ”Four years ago, the people in this town voted Charlie and me in on the faith that we would do what we said we would do,” Mr. Camarota said. “To receive this acclamation from the people who came out to support us, it is even more gratifying.”
   Mr. Camarota said his goals for the new term are keeping the tax rate stable, and to work with the state and federal governments on widening Route 1.
   Mr. Carley said he was also gratified by the support the voters gave him and his fellow Democrats.
   ”It’s nice to know that people in the town support the work we have done, and subscribe to the work we plan to do,” Mr. Carley said. “We are going to continue work to maintain a flat tax rate, that’s not just an election year gimmick. And we are going to continue to pursue a sensible land-use and open-space policy.”
   Residents who voted Democratic told the South Brunswick Post on Tuesday they did so because they felt that the town had been well run over the course of the last few years. Most of those who reported voting for the Republicans said they were voting Republican straight down the ballot.
   Though not elected, Mr. Walrond said he thinks he will probably remain active in local politics.
   ”The results speak for themselves,” Mr. Walrond said. “I was happy to participate.”