Rui Almeida SOUTH RIVER — The Borough Council will gain two Democrats in January, evening out the balance of power among its members.
After pacing nervously around the American Legion hall on Whitehead Avenue for about 15 minutes on election night Nov. 4 as the results were being read, Rui Almeida, 37, and Peter Guindi, 36, were able to finally throw their hands up with joy.
“We’re back,” yelled one of their supporters.
The Democrats long held a majority on the council, but since January have had just one member, Anthony Razzano. The other five members are Republicans, along with Mayor Raymond Eppinger.
Guindi received the most votes Tuesday, with 2,955. Almeida was second with 2,812 votes.
Incumbent and current council President John Krenzel, 50, received 2,254 votes and incumbent Councilwoman Suzanne Wisniewski-Buffalino, 44, received 2,101 votes.
“This is history in South River with the many people who turned out to vote,” said Almeida, as he shook the hands of his supporters. “For Peter and myself, we will live up to their expectations … People know what we stand for and we will live up to our promises.”
Peter Guindi Guindi, who ran unsuccessfully for a council position in 2007, added that he and Almeida are thankful for their supporters.
“This was long overdue,” he said to the group of 35 people at the Democrats’ election headquarters, including Middlesex County Freeholder Christopher Rafano. “Thank you for supporting and allowing us to bring young fresh blood and our ideas to the town we treat like a family.”
Buffalino and Krenzel came to the American Legion from the Republicans’ headquarters at Belarusian Hall, which is next door, to congratulate their opponents. Eppinger and council members Jim Hutchison, Michael Trenga, and John Trzeciak did the same. Razzano was also on hand to support the winning candidates.
“[This is an election] where we were
run over by history,” said Krenzel, who sat on the council from 1991-99 and 2004- present. “That’s what happens when people vote because of the party, not the people.” K renzel and Buffalino said they wish the new two councilmen the best. “The people have spoken … I
will stay active in the town,” Krenzel said.
“Ditto,” smiled Buffalino, who filled Eppinger’s council seat in January when he became mayor. “We are not going to move, we will still be around.”