By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Republicans kept complete control of the Township Committee by re-electing current mayor Carl Suraci and welcoming his newcomer running mate, Greg Burchette, on Tuesday.
The GOP easily outdistanced two Democrats, Michael Goldberg and James Farley, and an independent, Judd Mandel, for two three-
year terms.
Republicans hold all five governing body seats.
Mr. Suraci had 9,416 votes and Mr. Burchette 8,668. Mr. Farley, the owner of a chimney sweep company, received 6,681 and Goldberg, the township party chairman, got 6,467. Mr. Mandel received 700.
The election by Hurricane Sandy forced the postponement and ultimately cancellation of the candidates’ only joint appearance a question-and-answer session to be run by high school students in the last eight days of the campaign.
Although Republicans won easily, Mr. Burchette said it was no accident.
“We worked our asses off,” he said, by walking door to door and meeting people since Labor Day. “We had a normal, well-run campaign, as Republicans seem to do in this town,” he said.
“I want to work with my fellow Township Committee members to move forward with GSA Depot project and keep the pressure on building and opening the (Route 206) bypass.”
Mr. Burchette said he would like to be a member of the committee’s finance committee “to run the same tight financial ship same as doing right now.”
He said he’d love to be the liaison to the recreation department, and would not mind being appointed as the committee’s representative to the Planning Board.
In a statement for the Democrats, Mr. Goldberg congratulated the Republicans and offered “best wishes for success as they face the challenges ahead.”
Mr. Goldberg said the Democrats’ campaign “raised important issues, created debate and provided ýPage=001 Column=001 OK,0000.00þ
ideas for moving Hillsborough forward.”
He said, “Democrats will continue to work, year round, to be a clear a voice that challenges where necessary and participates in the dialogue that will make Hillsborough a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Election Day was marked by the relocation of 14 of the township’s 34 voting districts because of lack of power to polls in the days before the election. All 14 districts polled in the high school gymnasium.
Election workers said voters seemed to like the ample parking and social atmosphere of one big room. Poll workers said they thought the site worked well, although some who had kitchen facilities at the “normal” poll said they would rather be back there.
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The major glitch was in one district 19, which used to poll at Mary, Mother of God Church. While it had construction in the last few years, all four of the polls there moved to the municipal building. This year, starting with the June primary, three returned to the church and one stayed at the municipal building.
When election organizers put a sign at the church telling people to go to the high school, that one district’s voters were told their correct poll was the municipal building. Some who didn’t want to ýPage=003 Column=003 OK,0000.00þ
move again voted by provisional ballot.
Mr. Goldberg said his party was particularly proud that President Obama did so well in the township vote. The president outpolled his GOP foe, Gov. Mitt Romney, 7,803-7699, in tallies that didn’t include provision and mail-in ballots).
Mr. Goldberg offered his thank you for the “tremendous amount of effort (that) went into making yesterday’s election process run as smoothly as possible.” A great amount of credit goes to Township Clerk Pam Borek and township staffers, poll workers and the Board of Education, he said.
He also thanked all who voted this year, “under different and difficult circumstances. We all have the privilege of participating and sharing in this enthralling democratic process that makes America a great country.”

