PRINCETON: Howard top vote-getter at PCDO; Moore last

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   In a surprising turn of events, Borough Mayor Yina Moore did not receive support from her fellow Democrats and finished with the least amount of support at the Princeton Community Democratic Organization meeting Sunday night.
   She received 97 votes, or 27.5 percent of the 353 ballots cast for the 10 council candidates for the six council seats.
   Fellow Borough Councilman Roger Martindell also did not receive enough support with his 135 votes, or 38.2 for recommendation.
   For recommendation, 142 votes were needed of the 353 ballots that were counted in the council race. For endorsement 212 votes were needed from the 353 ballots.
   The endorsed were a mixed bag of incumbents and newcomers.
   ”The PCDO is showing they really want the consolidation to work so they are taking a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new and put it together, I think you’ll develop a very, very nice council,” said Councilman Lance Liverman, the second highest vote getter with 223 votes, as he clapped the back of fellow endorsed Councilman Bernie Miller. “I’m really glad the PCDO showed they had support in me and I’m looking to work with the new council.”
   Newcomer Patrick Simon, a member of the Joint Shared Services Consolidation Commission, secured an endorsement by collecting 221 votes.
   ”I’m very gratified. I meant what I said up there,” he said. “I enjoyed the work I did on the commission and I’m hopeful that the council will be a natural extension of that.”
   Freshman Councilwoman Heather Howard, with three months of service, received the most votes of any candidates with 300 votes, or 85 percent.
   ”I’m proud to have the support of the PCDO,” she said Sunday night after the results were announced after hours of counting. “It’s great to have so many people here and have tremendous community interest, I think it’s because everyone appreciates what’s ahead of us. The stakes are really high as we go into the new Princeton and it’s great to have community involvement in the process.”
   The high turnout reflects the trend that started in November, where record numbers of Princetonians went to the polls to vote on the consolidation issue and the mayor’s race that had a strong Republican challenger who came within 100 votes of wining the office.
   ”The results show the Democrats really let their voices be heard this evening,” said Township Mayor Chad Goerner, who chose not to run in this election.
   At last year’s mayoral and council PCDO endorsement meeting, none of the three candidates received enough votes for endorsement.
   Democrats receiving enough votes — 60 percent of the 353 ballots — for endorsements were:
— Heather Howard, 300 votes or 85 percent.
— Lance Liverman, 223 votes or 63.2 percent.
— Patrick Simon, 221 votes or 62.6 percent.
— Bernie Miller, 214 votes or 60.6 percent.
   Democrats with enough votes — 40 percent of the 353 ballots — for recommendations were:
— Jenny Crumiller, 175 votes or 49.6 percent.
— Scott Sillars, 158 votes or 44.8 percent.
— Jo Butler, 151 votes or 42.8 percent
— Tamera Matteo, 150 votes or 42.5 percent
   Democrats with not enough votes for endorsement or recommendation:
— Yina Moore, 97 votes or 27.5 percent.
— Roger Martindell, 135 votes or 38.2 percent.