MONROE — A Republican will join the Democratic stronghold on the Township Council.
Charles G. Dipierro ousted longtime councilman Michael Leibowitz as a Ward 3 councilman in the election on Nov. 7.
“I’m very excited to work with Mayor [Gerald W. Tamburro] and the Council on stabilizing taxes and controlling growth in Monroe,” he said, adding that he will work with the school district and the township on getting the necessary school funding needed in Monroe.
In the Ward 3 Council race Dipierro, who will serve his first term, garnered 2,209 votes over Leibowitz, who received 1,867 votes.
Liebowitz previously served as a Ward 3 councilman from 1980-1984 and was elected again in 2009.
Aside from Ward 3, the Democratic candidates held strong to the other Ward seats.
In Ward 1, Incumbent Elizabeth “Betty” Schneider, who will serve her third term, garnered 3,226 votes over Republican candidate John Krulewski, who received 2,247 votes.
During the campaign Schneider said fiscal responsibility is her highest priority. She said she will continue to work hard to control municipal spending and provide good financial planning.
In Ward 2, Incumbent Leonard Baskin, who will serve his first elected term, garnered 3,230 votes over Republican candidate John F. Marullo, who received 2,458 votes.
Baskin had been appointed by the Township Council to fill former Councilman Blaise Dipierro’s seat.
During the campaign, Baskin said he is committed to developing additional recreation and community education opportunities in the southern part of Monroe Township.
For the unexpired two-year term Council-at-Large seat, Incumbent Miriam Cohen garnered 8,052 votes over Republican candidate Martin Herrmann, who received 7,063 votes.
Cohen had been appointed by the Township Council to fill former Councilwoman Leslie Koppel’s seat.
During the campaign, Cohen said protecting the township’s open lands and maintaining its rural landscape is a very important priority.