MANVILLE: GOP Committee picks Onderko, Asher for council nods

By Mary Ellen Day, Special to the News
   Susan Asher was endorsed for re-election to Borough Council by the local Republican organization Tuesday night, and incumbent Lou Petzinger and former councilwoman Sherri Lynn were passed over in favor of Richard Onderko.
   Ms. Lynn opted not to run for re-election to a second term last year. Mr. Petzinger is in his first three-year term.
   The filing deadline for candidates to gain a spot on the primary election ballot is Monday, April 1.
   Republican chairman Rudy Nowak and the committee listened to the four candidates before rendering their votes.
   In a heated question, Mr. Petzinger was asked if he would partner with a Republican other than Ms. Lynn whom he favored as a running mate. Mr. Petzinger said he “would turn it down.”
   Mr. Nowak seemed upset.
   ”If they cannot support their running mate, that person should not even be considered as a candidate,” he said. “I will support whoever wins the majority tonight.”
   Mr. Onderko served one three-year term and was defeated in November. He said he was glad to have the opportunity to get his party’s nomination to run again.
   ”I’m happy to have thrown my hat into the ring to run for council again and to have the overwhelming support of the municipal Republican committee makes me feel I made the correct decision,” he said. “After a fairly close election last November and with all the lies spread about my record, I feel good about giving my supporters the opportunity to vote for me again in both the June primary and November’s general election. I look forward to the opportunity to serve all the taxpayers of Manville again.”
   Ms. Asher, first elected to the council in 2001, defeated Mayor Lillian Zusa in the GOP primary for mayor in 2011, then lost to Democrat Angelo Corradino in the fall.
   ”I would like to say that I am very happy that the Republican committee has elected Rich and myself to be on the ballot in June and then in November,” she said. “We are very hardworking people, and we are dedicated to the residents in our town. We will give 110 percent of our time to our borough.”
   Somerset County Freeholder Pat Walsh, Sheriff Frank Provenzano and Assembly members Jack Ciattarelli and Donna Simon attended and listened to the party’s possible candidates.