By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SAYREVILLE — The Sayreville Borough Republicans are down to one council member representing their party following last week’s election.
Democratic Council President Dan Buchanan retained his council seat with 8,913 votes; his running mate, Ricci Melendez, received 8,637.
They defeated Republican incumbent Art Rittenhouse (7,121 votes) and his runningmate Christian Hibinski (6,882 votes). That leaves Councilman Pat Lembo as the lone Republican council member, although Mayor Kennedy O’Brien is a Republican as well.
“I am humbled by the support we have received this election,” Buchanan said. “I would like to thank the residents of Sayreville for their continued support. Congratulations to Ricci Melendez on his election. I look forward to working with him on many of the technological projects he has planned.”
Melendez thanked his runningmate and the campaign’s supporters.
“This was a team effort to get our message across, and we could not have done it alone,” he said.
Melendez said he was happy with the results and what he felt voters were saying with their vote.
“I feel that the people of Sayreville have spoken and want a council that can move this borough forward,” he said. “I’m honored and humbled that I will be serving all of the people of Sayreville. I have hope for a better community, a town in which we can all be proud of. I have hopes for a future in which we can overcome our differences for the betterment of our country and the Borough of Sayreville.”
Buchanan and Melendez also had some words for their opponents.
“I would like to thank Art Rittenhouse for his three years of service to the borough,” Buchanan said. “Christian has shown courage running the past two years. I commend him on his efforts and wish both he and Art the best in the future.”
“I want to thank our opponents Rittenhouse and Hibinski who offered to serve the community,” Melendez added. “It’s not easy to put yourself in public view, and I give them respect for the attempt to do so. I wish Art Rittenhouse well and thank him for his service.”
As for next steps, Melendez said he would be applying at the borough level what he has been learning at Columbia University as he works toward his master’s degree in technology management.
He said that in addition to diverse professional experience, the council also needs broader cultural representation.
“We represent 35 districts of a broad base of residents and borough employees. I will work hard to include everyone in the governing process. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our great community.”
Buchanan said both parties working together will be essential to Sayreville’s success.
“As we close 2016 and begin 2017, we have many challenges that we will be faced with,” he said. “We need to work together in a bipartisan manner to come up with viable solutions, keeping our taxpayers in mind.”