By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR – It was a clean sweep for incumbent Democrats Tuesday for four seats on the Township Council.
Mayor Janice Mironov, Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman, Councilmen Peter Yeager and John Zoller all easily won re-election to the council, besting Republican challengers Paul “P.J.” Hummel, Steve Uccio, Darren Feist and Sean O’Connor.
Unofficial vote totals from the Mercer County Clerk on the county website showed Ms. Mironov with 2,353 votes, or 18 percent; Mr. Lippman with 2142 or 16.3 percent; Mr. Yeager with 2,187 votes or 16.7 percent; Mr. Zoller with 2,102 votes, or 16 percent; Mr. Hummel with 1,077 votes, or 8.2 percent; Mr. Uccio with 1,076 votes, or 8.2 percent; Mr. Feist with 1,058 votes, or 8 percent; and Mr. O’Connor with 1,118 votes, or 8.5 percent.
There are 16 districts in the township. A total of 13,105 votes were cast.
“I am excited and personally gratified by the overwhelming response throughout the Township,” Mayor Mironov said. “We won every single election district in East Windsor. It feels really good to have voters make a clear statement demonstrating their trust and confidence in our leadership, management of the town and our record in office.”
The mayor said that the township has encouraged residents to volunteer and become involved in their government through the many boards and committees, where they can share ideas and input on township projects and activities.
It is the sixth consecutive Election Day win for Mayor Mironov. If council members re-elect her to the position, she we serve in her 20th consecutive year as mayor.
“The results will encourage us to continue to move forward and build upon our demonstrated accomplishments and goals,” she said.
That record, the mayor said, includes fiscally conservative policies and practices, keeping municipal taxes down, maintaining high quality municipal services and attracting new businesses and stores. In addition, the township has preserved open space with more than $11 million in grants and private donations and preserved farmland with its environmental initiatives, including recycling and reforestation. The mayor said the township has a vibrant senior center and extensive programs, new recreation facilities as the Disbrow Hill multi-purpose playing fields, new and expanded pedestrian/bicycle pathways and roadway improvements.
“And we all really care about the community and make ourselves accessible to residents and businesses,” she added.
“Going forward, we have a whole series of projects and ideas on the table to positively address,” she said. “East Windsor has completed two DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission) grant-funded planning and transportation studies for Route 33 Revitalization and Redevelopment and for the NJ Turnpike area, as well as the exciting redevelopment of the former NL (National Lead) site on Wyckoff Mills Road, and I look forward to further implementation of these planning initiatives.
The mayor said the township has a series of new business projects expected to move forward to construction.
“We will continue to explore means to save money, be it through shared services, cooperative projects or other reasonable avenues,” she said. “We are working toward finalizing and launching a new website.”
Deputy Mayor Lippman said he is thrilled and honored to have been re-elected and to have the opportunity to continue to serve the residents of East Windsor.
“It is very rewarding to see that residents understand how hard we work to improve their quality of life,” he said.
He said they look forward to a very busy and productive year.
“Time to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” said Mr. Lippman.
Council member Peter Yeager said that he is humbled once again by the support and from the residents of East Windsor and pleased the team will be returning to council.
“I’d like to thank my running mates, Mayor Janice Mironov, Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman, and council member John Zoller for all the great work they put into this campaign; my family and friends for their constant encouragement; and of course the citizens of East Windsor for placing their trust in me,” he said. “I’m honored to continue representing our township and pledge to work hard on behalf of our residents over the next four years.”
Council member John Zoller gave a “heartfelt thanks all the East Windsor voters who went to the polls in an off-year to support the council members.”
“Mayor Mironov, Deputy Mayor Lippman, council member Yeager and I met thousands of township residents at their doorsteps over the last 11 weeks,” he said. “The support and encouragement we received was a tremendous help in bringing this election season to a positive result.”
Mr. Zoller said that the residents have voted for the council members to continue the work that the council performs when bringing cost-effective municipal services to the community.
“I look forward to the next four years as an opportunity to grow our local economy, manage township operating costs in a positive way, and to strengthen shared services agreements with neighboring municipalities,” he said.
