SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Township Council seeks to replace member

by Davy James, Staff Writer
   The township Municipal Democratic Committee will begin a search to replace Carol Barrett, who resigned Tuesday from the Township Council to join the county Board of Freeholders.
   According to state guidelines, the party of the incumbent will nominate within 15 days three names from which the governing body will select one person to fill the seat. Mayor Frank Gambatese said the process should take approximately 30 days.
   ”The Democratic committeemen and women will vote the top three names to go before the council, who will then pick which person (replaces) Carol Barrett on the council,” said Democratic Chairman Bernard Hvozdovic. “I’ve heard some people talking but nobody has put forth their name yet. I suspect we’ll have a healthy group of five to 10 people to choose from.”
   While Republicans are able to submit their names for consideration, Mr. Hvozdovic said it would be difficult for any Republican to be chosen by the Democratic Committee to fill the seat.
   The candidate chosen to fill the seat on the council would serve the first year of the three-year term Ms. Barrett was re-elected to in November. That person would have to run for re-election in November to serve the final two years of Ms. Barrett’s term.
   Current council members said replacing Ms. Barrett won’t be easy. Ms. Barrett was first elected to the council in 1999 and became deputy mayor in 2003.
   ”It’s going to be a challenge to find someone to replace Carol because they won’t have the experience she has,” said Councilman Joseph Camarota. “Whoever is chosen will have to be a quick study and come in ready to hit the ground running. This is a difficult year and it’s going to be a tremendous task because they won’t have time for a learning curve. Hopefully, we can find someone with a current understanding who can step in running.”
   Those interested in the position need to submit a resume and biographical information to Mr. Hvozdovic by the end of the day Jan. 14.
   The candidates will be screened Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Pierre’s Restaurant at 592 Georges Road. Resumes can be e-mailed to Mr. Hvozdovic at [email protected] or faxed to 732-297-4241. Anyone with questions can reach Mr. Hvozdovic at 732-690-3150.