Tamburro secures mayoralty in Monroe

By KENNY WALTER
Staff Writer

MONROE — After nearly three decades with Mayor Richard Pucci in office, Monroe will have a new mayor in 2016.

Council President Gerald Tamburro, a Democrat, will succeed Pucci, who chose not to see re-election. Tamburro defeated Republican Martin Hermann and independent candidate Ken Chiarella during the Nov. 3 general election.

“I want to thank all the voters who voted for me and I’m sure that we will continue the [progress] that was put in place 28 years ago and make this the best town in the state of New Jersey,” Tamburro said during the Nov. 4 Township Council meeting.

“We have great programs for every age group and every segment of our population, and I look forward to that continuing.”

Tamburro received 5,058 votes, defeating Hermann, who registered 3,961 votes and Chiarella, who drew 1,923 votes.

Democratic council incumbents Stephen Dalina and Leslie Koppel were re-elected with 4,980 and 4,976 votes, respectively.

Coming up short for council were Republican challengers Joseph Atanasio and Harold Kane with 4,080 and 3,864 votes, respectively, and independents Chirag Bhaget (1,280) and Stanley Edelman (1,220).

Tamburro said the election night victory was hard fought.

“It was like a marathon, I was challenged in the primary and then the general election,” he said.

Tamburro held off a primary challenge from local businessman Charles DiPierro who sought to run for mayor.

Pucci said despite not running for reelection, he had an interest in the results.

“I was probably more nervous for you guys last night than I ever was when I ran,” he said.

Pucci also looked back on his 28 years serving as Monroe mayor.

“It’s been the experience of a lifetime,” Pucci said. “There were a lot of pressures, a lot of challenges.”

Pucci went on to say the township is well positioned with Tamburro taking the helm.

“You are certainly well experienced in the position, you can do this job as well as anyone,” he said. “I don’t think there is anyone more prepared than you to take over as the mayor of Monroe Township.

“I certainly expect great things from you.”

Tamburro is the chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization senior citizen caucus, while Koppel serves as the party’s secretary. Dalina’s father, also Stephen but known to many as “Pete,” served as a Democratic county freeholder from 1990 until his death in 2013.