A slate of independent candidates scored victories on Election Day in Allentown. A four-year term as mayor and two three-year terms on the Borough Council were on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Long-time Republican Mayor Stuart Fierstein and Republican council members Dan Wimer and Margaret Rose did not seek re-election. Their terms will end on Dec. 31.
According to unofficial results posted on the Monmouth County website, independent candidate Gregory Westfall won the mayor’s race with 312 votes. His opponent, Democrat Wil Borkowski, received 250 votes.
Borkowski will remain a member of the Borough Council.
In the race for two council seats, independent candidates Robert Strovinsky and Johnna Stinemire won three-year terms with 318 and 290 votes, respectively, and will join the governing body in January.
Democrats Thomas Fritts and Barbara Hallmark received 253 and 220 votes, respectively, in an unsuccessful bid for the council seats.
The results are unofficial until they are certified by the county.
Westfall said the 2015 election showed a shift in political thinking in the borough.
“I think most voters realized that we at the local level have issues that are nonpartisan and that we should be discussing what those issues are,” he said. “We all should be discussing those issues relative to what the borough needs. We are excited about the opportunity the voters have given us to serve our borough. We are excited that the three of us were elected to do the job and to serve.” Westfall ran with Stinemire and Strovinsky on the Allentown First ticket. Strovinsky could not be reached for comment.
Westfall said that as Allentown’s mayor, he wants to help usher in a period of volunteerism and engagement from residents.
“I am looking forward to engaging members of the community,” he said. “From volunteerism to just turning up at Borough Council meetings on a fairly regular basis … we would love to encourage people to be more involved in their local government.”
Ongoing concerns regarding the future of the borough’s aging sewer system and waste water treatment facility weighed heavily on Westfall leading up to and following the election.
“Like the current council, we need to address the sewage treatment plant situation,” the mayor-elect said. “We are under some deadlines to get something done and that is a top priority.”
Stinemire said she plans to work with the rest of the council to help inform the public of Allentown’s options when it comes to replacing, upgrading or modifying the waste water treatment system.
“Over the past few months, while meeting residents, it seems there is a lot of confusion … regarding this issue,” she said. “I want to seriously push for clear and accurate information for our residents.”
Strovinsky and Stinemire will join Borkowski, Madeline Gavin (independent), Angela Anthony (Democrat) and Robert Schmitt (Democrat) on the council in 2016.