HOWELL – Voters have elected newcomers Thomas Russo, Pamela Richmond and John Bonevich to four-year terms on the Howell Township Council. The terms will run from January 2019 through December 2022.
Russo and Richmond are Republicans, Bonevich is a Democrat. They were elected on Nov. 6 with 10,313, 9,998 and 9,801 votes, respectively, according to results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office. The results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
Falling short in their bids were Democrat Kristal Dias, who received 9,655 votes, Republican incumbent Councilman Robert Walsh, who received 9,646 votes, and Democrat Paul Dorato, who received 9,613 votes.
Bonevich will join Mayor Theresa Berger as the two Democrats on the governing body. Russo and Richmond will join Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell as the three Republicans on the council.
Russo said he felt humbled to have received the most votes in his hometown and privileged to have the opportunity to serve the community.
“I want to thank the people of Howell from the bottom of my heart for entrusting me with the privilege of serving on the council. I also want to thank my friends, family and mentors, as well as my wife for standing by my side during what turned out to be a very tough campaign. It is truly an honor that I take extremely seriously and I can’t wait to get started,” Russo said.
Russo is an attorney and a lifelong Howell resident. He has served on the Planning Board since January 2016. The councilman-elect said he is excited to get to work.
“There are a lot of issues that have to be worked on and I’m eager to jump in. I have already set up meetings with state assemblymen Ned Thompson and Sean Kean to discuss ways the council and I can assist in Trenton court-ordered overdevelopment reform. This is a problem facing towns across New Jersey, including Howell.
“We need to work together to fight this problematic overdevelopment law, while avoiding builder’s remedy lawsuits that could potentially cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. I am also looking forward to working with Mayor Berger, Councilwoman O’Donnell, and the other newcomers (Richmond and Bonevich). This isn’t about party, it’s about doing the right thing for my hometown and always putting Howell first. Always,” Russo said.
Richmond is a teacher’s aide for special education professionals in Freehold Township. She has lived in Howell for nine years. She said she felt “a little overwhelmed” to have won a council seat.
“Only because it is my first time (in politics) and I do not know what to expect. I am flattered Howell is giving me this opportunity, it is an honor and people are making me feel really important. It feels good,” Richmond said.
She said she is looking forward to meeting residents “and to being part of something, as far as I am concerned, important here for our local community and helping to keep Howell as wonderful as it is.”
Richmond asked residents to keep Walsh in their prayers as he deals with health issues.
“(Walsh) is doing really well, but I just want to remind everybody to keep him in their prayers and that to me is the bigger picture here. I think (Russo) and I ran a really good campaign and I think we rose above a lot of rhetoric. I think Howell (residents) will be very happy they are putting us on that dais,” she said.
Bonevich could not be reached for comment.