South Brunswick – Page 2

The vanishing Republicans of South Brunswick

I’ve heard some rumors that there are Republicans living in South Brunswick.

Yes, according to these rumors, there are actual, died-in-the-wool members of the Grand Old Party going about their business, meeting at Pierre’s and going through the electoral motions.

I want to believe these rumors. After all, it is important that there be at least two function and viable parties pushing their agendas and making their cases to voters. But I’ve found little evidence that these rumors are true.

I have talked with people who call themselves Republicans. I’ve seen them around town at various functions, received letters and witnessed them speaking at council meetings.

But there are no Republicans sitting on the Township Council. Democrats control nearly every board and commission in South Brunswick. Maybe Republicans are like those night creatures in the movies, able to survive under only the most constrained of circumstances. Maybe they are allergic to the light, or voters are allergic to their entreaties.

It has been eight years since a Republican was elected to the Township Council and another six since a Republican not named Ted Van Hessen was elected. That’s a long time in the wilderness.

And it’s not like it has been close. Consider this year’s results:

Incumbent Democrats on the Township Council won a resounding victory in Tuesday’s election, defeating their Republican challengers by an almost 2-to-1 margin at the polls.

Council members Carol Barrett, Joe Camarota and Charles Carley were all re-elected to the three, four-year seats on the ballot this year. They defeated first-time Republican candidates John O’Sullivan and Steve Walrond.

Ms. Barrett, of Mahogany Court, was the top vote earner in the election, garnering 9,914 votes. Mr. Camarota received 9,781 votes, followed by Mr. Carley who received 9,765 votes.

Mr. O’Sullivan led the Republican ticket with 5,363 votes, followed by Mr. Walrond who received 5,231 votes.

The 2006 results were similar:

The Democratic incumbents, Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilman Chris Killmurray, won in all 30 township voting districts, earning new four-year terms on the council. Three Democratic seats will be up in 2008.

Mayor Gambatese received 58.3 percent of the vote with 5,529. His opponent, Republican Lynda Woods Cleary, received 29.6 of the votes with 2,660. In addition, 12.1 percent or 1,084 write-in ballots were cast, of which at least 1,000 were for former Mayor Debra Johnson, said Township Clerk Barbar Nyitrai.

Mr. Killmurray received 64.4 percent of votes cast for council with 5,574. His opponent, Republican Nannette Craig, received 35.6 percent or 3,086 votes.

These are some lopsided results, which is why I have to wonder whether the existence of a local Republican Party is more than a rumor.

I am at a loss as to how the Republicans can turn this around, how they can remake themselves so they offer a reasonable alternative, an opposing voice at a time of Democratic control. This year’s candidates, for instance, were the best the party has had to offer in years and still they barely registered. Part of it was a lack of message — it’s not enough to say a different voice is needed. You still have to explain what that voice would say and how it might have an impact on council business. That was never offered.

But still, it is difficult for me to understand how candidates for Township Council can manage to get so few votes in a year of record turnout. It just boggles my mind.

Reading the signs:Uphill for local GOP

Local Republican candidates John O’Sullivan and Steve Walrond are facing long odds in the campaign for Township Council.

The evidence — admittedly unscientific — is the dearth of signs around town, especially when compared to the ubiquitous presence of Barrett-Carley-Camarota signs.

Signs, to be sure, are a somewhat dubious way in which to gauge support. But a lack of signs, when combined with several factors both current and historical help paint a larger problem facing the GOP.

Consider some recent history: During the previous five elections dating back to 1998 campaign, when the council was created, 15 council seats have been on the ballot. Of those, the GOP has won just two — and both times it was incumbent Ted Van Hessen who won.

Of the other 13 candidates, eight had run in the past (seven of whom had lost) and the party has had difficult during the last three elections — including this one — finding people to run or money to fund their campaigns.

Add to the mix a demographic change that has turned the township bluer with each passing year and you have two Republicans running up hill during an avalanche. That’s not to say they won’t win. It just won’t be very easy.

Detour to remain until December

I took this picture this morning with my cell phone (I pulled over to the side of the road) before I came into work and then made a quick call to the Middlesex County Engineering Department to find out what was happening with the bridge replacement. I take this route everyday — like so many in town — and thought it was time to offer an update. Here is the update, which will run in Thursday’s paper:

Drivers on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction will face another three months of detours while Middlesex County finishes work on the bridge over a small stream.

Ron Sensor, of the county Engineering Department, said Lucas Bros. of Manalapan is making progress on the $580,980 project that began during the summer.

The project includes replacing brick arch, widening the roadway from 27 feet to 32 feet and adding a sidewalk across the span.

Water, water everywhere

Crazy storm. I just eceived a call from a friend who reports the Route 1 at Dow Jones is closed because the DJ pond has overflowed across the highway.

New Road at Pyne also is closed because of flooding.

Anyone else have any road closings in South Brunswick, Cranbury, Jamesburg or Monroe to add to the list?

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Sent from my Verizon Wireless LGVX9900 device.

Township going green

South Brunswick is taking the first steps to make its municipal operation a bit greener. The township has purchased two hybrid vehicles as part of a slow process that should reduce our public energy footprint. According to Mayor Frank Gambatese,

the township is working on a plan to reduce energy costs in other ways as well, such as placing solar panels on public buildings to generate electricity. Mayor Gambatese said they are already using energy efficient light bulbs in township buildings.

It is a good start, as I said, but not nearly enough. The Township Council needs to develop a detailed plan for ways to cut back on energy use.

Hybrid vehicles are a start, but exploring alternate fuels like biodiesel or using electric cars should be on the table.

Solar panels and reduced energy use should be complemented by taking advantage of the energy markets, where it can, by finding an energy supplier that generates power in an environmentally responsible way and then offering township residents the opportunity to buy into the pool. Basically, use the township’s buying power, supplemented by the community’s, to force the market to become more green.

The township also should make sure that the school board is included in the discussion, given the size of its budget, the sheer number and size of its buildings and the size of its fleet. Monroe, for instance, has opened a new elementary school that relies on solar panels and, with the help of the township, the county and the state, South Brunswick might be able to pull off the same thing.