Make sure you get your say on Nov. 6
Flag waving is a beautiful expression of American patriotism. So is going to the polls to express support for the principles that underlie our democracy.
Hopefully all those imbued with a new or renewed spirit of patriotism will show that support Tuesday.
There is a lot to decide in Tuesday’s elections: Who will govern the state for the next four years, who will represent you in Trenton and who will represent you best at the county and municipal levels.
Each vote does count. Just ask all those candidates who lost by a whisker or squeaked to victory.
In Aberdeen, voters will choose a mayor and two council members, each of whom will serve for the next four years. Democratic Mayor David Sobel is seeking his second consecutive term, together with Democratic Councilman Joseph Raymond, also seeking a second term, and newcomer Tom Perry.
They are opposed by Republicans Edward G. Fitzgerald, running for mayor, and Debra Delaney and Mary Kate Dillon, seeking council seats.
The Democrats currently hold a 5-1 council majority, plus the mayor’s seat.
In Hazlet, six candidates are vying for two Township Committee seats, incumbent Democrats Mayor Michael Christopher and Deputy Mayor Victor "Rich" Crismale; Republicans Michael Sachs, a former mayor, and Tracey Maffiore; and independents Susan Dubey and Jim Brady, who sought unsuccessfully to get the local Democratic Party nomination.
The committee is currently split 4-1, with Democrats holding their largest majority in years.
In Holmdel, Republican Township Committeeman Terence Wall is seeking his second term, along with newcomer Serena DiMaso, who is seeking her first. They are opposed by Democratic candidates Monisha Merchant and Tony Orsini, who are hoping to win the first Democratic majority in decades. The committee is currently split 4-1, with Republicans in control, but the Republicans are split 3-1, with Wall having the minority voice.
In Keyport, the council majority is at stake, with incumbent Democratic councilmen Wade Pederson and Thomas Antonucci seeking to maintain the current 3-3 split along party lines, with the Democratic mayor breaking ties. Pederson is seeking a fourth term and Antonucci his first full elected term. Their opponents, Republicans Robert Hyer and Brian Stalter, are hoping to clinch a 4-2 council majority, regaining party control for the first time since the early 1990s.
In Matawan, the Republicans are seeking to continue their all-GOP council-mayor administration. Incumbents Paul Buccellato and Debra Buragina are both seeking their first full elective terms. They are opposed by former Democratic Councilman Joe Thompson and Wendy Horakh.
In Middletown, Republicans are also seeking to maintain their party’s lock on municipal government, with GOP Mayor Joan Smith seeking a fourth term and Deputy Mayor Rick Brodsky, a third. They are opposed by Democrats Beverly Bova Scarano, who also ran last year, and Alex DeSevo.