Ruth Luse

By: centraljersey.com
Locally, in Hunterdon County, the Nov. 2 general election will feature the following:
In Lambertville, incumbent Democrats Wardell Sanders, of Coryell Street, and Steven Stegman, of Studdiford Street, are running unopposed for the two available three-year terms on City Council.
Democrat, Elaine Warner, of Elm Street, is facing a challenge from Republican Stephen Robbins, of South Franklin Street, for a one-year unexpired term on council.
Lambertville voters also have a chance to say yes or no to a municipal question: Shall the City of Lambertville expand the purpose of the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund to include the purchase of land (located behind the CVS at North Union and Cherry streets) for open space?
Voters will determine if the city should spend nearly $200,000 on about .56 acres of undeveloped land in the floodplain to preserve it as open space. If a majority of voters give their approval, the land would fall under the jurisdiction of the city’s Recreation Commission, Mayor David Del Vecchio said recently. The commission would decide if the site should hold a park or be put to some other use.
The land, which sits behind the CVS Pharmacy on North Main Street, is assessed at $196,000. If voters approve the purchase, the funding would come from the city’s open space tax, which is currently 1 cent per $100 of assessed valuation.
In West Amwell Township, Republican Zachary Rich, of Melody Drive, is running for a three-year term on the Township Committee. Mr. Rich is the sole candidate for the seat now held by Democrat Frank Masterson.
In Stockton, Mayor Stephen Giocondo (Democrat), of Glenwood Lane, is the only candidate for that post on the November ballot. Democrats Michael Hagerty, of Risler Street, and Tim Nemeth, of Broad Street, are the only candidates for two three-year terms on Borough Council.
– Voters also will pick a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (two-year term). Candidates are: incumbent Democrat Rush Holt, of Hopewell Township; Republican Scott Sipprelle, of Princeton Borough; and Kenneth J. Cody (Truth, Vision, Hope), of Princeton.
– In addition, voters will choose three members of the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders (one for a one-year unexpired term) and a county sheriff. Candidates (vote for two) for the two three-year terms on the freeholder board are: Democrats David Syring and Chris Harcar and Republicans William G. Mennen and George B. Melick.
Candidates for the one-year unexpired freeholder term are Democrat Samuel H. Thompson and Republican Robert G. Walton.
The sole candidate for sheriff is Republican Frederick W. Brown.
– All voters are being asked to say yes or no to a proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate assessments on wages by the state to the payment of employee benefits. According to the League of Women Voters, if this ballot question is approved, a new paragraph will be added to Article VIII of the State Constitution that will dedicate wage-based employee benefit funds, and all returns on the investment of them, to the purpose of the fund.
The Legislature and executive branch would not be allowed to borrow the funds nor use them for any other purpose. The cost of administering the funds would be paid from the funds.
A full analysis of the ballot question’s implications – including reasons to vote "yes," as well as reasons to vote "no" – can be found on the NJ League of Women Voters website at www.lwvnj.org/. Click on November 2010 Ballot Question Analysis.
On election day, Nov. 2, all polling places will be open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m.