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Ferrera, McCauley sail to election

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   HILLSBOROUGH — Republican incumbent Anthony Ferrera and running mate Gloria McCauley easily won their bids for seats on the Township Committee in Tuesday’s voting.
   With about 76 percent of Hillsborough’s 23,909 registered voters casting ballots, Mayor Ferrera received a total of 10,481 votes, while Ms. McCauley captured 9,587 votes.
   Democrats Matthew Dawson and Manny Foranoce received 6,974 and 6,382 votes respectively.
   ”People are happy with what the town is doing and that is loud and clear,” Mayor Ferrera said. “I’m thankful to everybody in town.”
   Ms. McCauley said she is very appreciative of all the support she has received throughout the election.
   ”I’m still very excited, and I have a lot of support in the township,” she said. “Hillsborough is going in a great direction and there is no need for a change. This is an outstanding win for the Republicans and I’m excited to get going.”
   Despite some negativity throughout the campaign season, Mayor Ferrera said he is glad the voters gathered knowledge about the issues and then turned out in droves to vote.
   ”Between the camps, that negativity happens, but people in general ignore it,” he said of what has been called a “landslide victory” for the Republicans in Hillsborough. “But people are pretty happy with what I’ve done. For people to vote Democrat at the top (of the ballot) and then switch, people went around others and voted for me and that is an honor.”
   In his upcoming third term, Mayor Ferrera said he would like to complete many already started projects, in addition to creating more recreational and other opportunities for residents. For example, he said, he would like to continue improving the new senior activity center, which opened in the municipal building Oct. 27, to make room for more games and other offerings.
   ”There are many new things we can do there,” he said. “We can also add computer classes and other educational programs.”
   In addition to these goals, and possibly moving forward with a lawsuit to remove the mercury still stored in Hillsborough, Mayor Ferrera said he is looking forward to continuing with a plan for the General Service Administration Belle Mead Depot.
   ”We have to move as quickly as we can with that for parks and recreation,” he said.
   Ms. McCauley expressed a similar opinion, saying that the purchase of the GSA Depot is on the forefront of everyone’s mind this year.
   ”We have to make quick decisions there,” she said.
   Aside from the GSA Depot, Ms. McCauley said she would like to move forward with the Town Center and, most importantly, focus on building environmental awareness in town and helping businesses to thrive.
   Although she will be the only new member of the committee in January, Ms. McCauley said she can use her past experiences on the Charter Study Commission and other campaigns to help her mix into the current group.
   ”I learned a lot being on the Charter Study Commission, which had a lot of different personalities,” she said. “That was good training, and I will stand up for what is right. I have had a great background.”
   With history in the making nationally as Democratic candidate Barack Obama won the presidency, Mayor Ferrera and Ms. McCauley said the importance of the presidential elections brought more people out to vote, and understand the issues, on the local level.
   In a comparison with the last presidential elections, the number of voters was relatively similar, with 77 percent of registered voters participating in 2004. In Hillsborough, with absentee ballots counted, President-elect Obama received 8,317 votes, while Sen. John McCain received 8,318 votes.
   Mayor Ferrera said he hopes the large turnout of voters this year translates into residents becoming more involved in the township in general.
   ”It is great that the people came out and I hope it will continue for all elections,” he said. “Hillsborough voters are extremely smart and educated in the issues. (But) people have no right to complain if they haven’t been educated and come out to vote.”
   For Ms. McCauley, this year’s election was an eye-opener.
   ”It was a huge presidential election, so it made us nervous,” she said. “But people paid closer attention. Many people came out to our campaign. There were lots of younger people who wanted to see what we could offer.”
   For Mr. Foranoce, he said he was glad to have had the opportunity to get more involved in the town in which he grew up, and said he would consider running for a position again in the future.
   ”I found out a lot more about what’s happening in town,” he said. “I believe everyone should have an active role.”
   Still, Mr. Foranoce said he believe he and Mr. Dawson did their best in the campaign.
   ”We are alive to live through another fight,” Mr. Foranoce said. “But we wish Anthony and Gloria the best of luck and congratulate them.”
   Mr. Dawson said he would also consider running for office again in the future, but, no matter what, would like to stay involved in the township and in the Democratic Party.
   ”I want to stay involved in the future,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who supported me and congratulations to Anthony and Gloria. I send best wishes that they do a good job.”
   Mr. Ferrera and Ms. McCauley will be sworn in during the township’s annual reorganization meeting in January.