Page 2 Thursday, November 14, 2019 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION County Clerk Explains Peyton's Vote Tabulation Process Peek at the Week COUNTY – As ballots continue to although they could not vote on the In Politics be tabulated after the November 5 machines by law.” By Paul Peyton of The Leader/Times General Election, Union County Clerk Ms. Rajoppi also reminded voters Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that that the tallies from voting machines Kean Re-Elected As DiMaio as budget officer. all Vote-by-Mail ballots and Provi- are posted online as “unofficial” re- Senate Republican Leader Joining their GOP caucus were sional ballots are included in the offi- sults shortly after the polls close on Senator Tom Kean received the newly elected members cial, certified election results. Election Day, pending the addition of unanimous support of the Senate Re- of Morris County, of “I would like to assure all voters that the tallies from Vote-by-Mail and publican caucus last week to continue Ocean County, Antwan McClellan of every vote goes into the final count, Provisional ballots. Machine tallies serving as its leader for the upcoming Cape May County, Gerry whether it is a Vote-by-Mail ballot, a are also re-checked before election 219th Legislature. Scharfenberger of Monmouth County, Provisional ballot, or the votes col- certification, she said. “I’m honored to have the contin- Erik Simonsen of Cape May County lected from voting machines at the State law provides for certification ued support of the Senate Republican and Jean Stanfield of if Burlington polling place,” Ms. Rajoppi said. of the election results to be made caucus as we head into the 2020- County. A new change in state voting law eight days after the election. Vote-by- 2021 legislative session,” said Mr. Heading into the next legislative required that Vote-by-Mail ballots be Mail ballots that are postmarked on Kean. “Their confidence in me is a session, Assembly Republicans will sent to all voters who voted by mail at Election Day are counted if they are reflection of the strong team we have increase its membership to at least 28 least once in a New Jersey election delivered up to two days after Elec- built that is capable of both working members. Several races are still too within the last three years. tion Day. Provisional ballots are re- across the aisle when common ground close call pending mail-in and provi- Voters who no longer wish to re- viewed by the Union County Board can be found and successfully coun- sional ballots. ceive Vote-by-Mail ballots in future of Elections and also counted. tering the Democratic majorities when Sweeney, Weinberg Reelected elections can download an opt out “Some voters have been led to be- they go too far.” To Senate Leadership Posts form through the County Clerk’s elec- lieve that Vote-by-Mail and Provi- Mr. Kean was first elected Senate State Senate President Steve tions website, by following the in- sional ballots are only counted in Republican Leader in 2007. This Sweeney (D-3rd, Gloucester) and structions in the Vote-By-Mail page close elections, and that is entirely marks his sixth re-election by the Senate Majority Leader Loretta at unioncountyvotes.com/vote-by- false,” Ms. Rajoppi said. caucus to its top post. Weinberg (D-37th, Linden) were mail-ballot-application. Voters with questions about Vote- “The Legislature has some ex- unanimously reelected last week by “My office contacted nearly 13,000 by-Mail or any other election proce- tremely important work to do in the the members of the Senate Demo- eligible Union County voters in early dures can call the Elections Division coming years,” Mr. Kean added. “We cratic Majority to continue to serve in MAKING HISTORY...Patricia Gusmano, left, is sworn in November 1 as chief of September to advise them they would at (908) 527-4996 or email believe Senate Republican solutions the top leadership positions for the detectives for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office by Acting Prosecutor Lyndsay be getting a vote by mail ballot unless [email protected]. for our property tax crisis will help to new 219th Legislature. The new two- V. Ruotolo, making her the first female chief in the 162-year history of the they opted out,” Ms. Rajoppi ex- Additional elections information is stem the flow of families and busi- year session starts in January 2020. Prosecutor’s Office. plained. “Voters who received a Vote- also available online at the County nesses from the Garden State. Our Senator Sweeney, first elected Sen- by-Mail ballot but did not use it were Clerk’s elections website, caucus will continue advocating for ate president in 2010, has been re- still entitled to come to their polling UnionCountyVotes.com, and on the our Every Child Counts school fund- elected by his Senate colleagues to Patricia Gusmano Sworn In place and cast a Provisional ballot, free mobile app, Union County Votes. ing plan to improve the quality of the post a record five times. education for every student, improv- Asw. Sumter Bounced From As Chief of Detectives ing New Jersey Transit and critical Her Leadership Post Watson Coleman Joins infrastructure, and pursuing structural Assemblyman Shavonda Sumter COUNTY — Patricia Gusmano Special Victims Unit, Homicide Task reforms to make government more (D-35th, Paterson) has been was sworn November 1 as chief of Force, and Special Prosecutions Unit. efficient and New Jersey more af- bounced as Assembly majority con- detectives for the Union County Most recently she directed the Pro- Delegation to Israel fordable.” ference leader, according to a New Prosecutor’s Office, making her the fessional Standards Unit, which WASHINGTON, D.C. — Con- rity, according to a ptres release from Bramnick Re-elected As Jersey Globe report. She has been first female chief in the 162-year his- handles a broad variety of internal gresswoman Bonnie Watson her office. Assembly Minority Leader replaced by Union County Assem- tory of the Prosecutor’s Office. affairs matters. Coleman (D-12th, NJ) spent the “I have always understood the sig- Assemblyman (R- blywoman (D- Ms. Gusmano, a nearly 30-year She has been active in the educa- November district work period nificance and the history of the rela- 21st, Westfield) was unanimously re- 20th, Elizabeth). law enforcement veteran, was ap- tion of the law enforcement commu- learning more about both the strate- tionship we have with Israel, but with elected by Assembly Republicans last The Globe reported that Asw. pointed to the position by Acting Pros- nity, instructing both new recruits and gic partnership between America and each opportunity to see it for myself I Thursday to continue as minority Sumter went against her party’s As- ecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, who ad- active officers in the intricacies of Israel and the challenges facing the am reminded of why I remain com- leader. In addition, Assemblywoman sembly leadership in supporting Gov- ministered the oath of office. investigating sexual assault and hu- region while on the ground in Israel mitted to our strategic partnership, (R-21st, Summit) was ernor Phil Murphy’s proposed “Chief Gusmano has spent a career man trafficking offenses. In 2017, with the American Israel Educational and to strengthening the bond be- elevated from minority whip to con- millionaire’s tax as well as increasing serving the people of Union County. she was recognized as the Outstand- Foundation (AIEF), the charitable tween our two countries,” Congress- ference leader, according to a Assem- the state’s minimum wage to $15 an She has been a tireless advocate for ing Law Enforcement Officer of the organization affiliated with AIPAC. woman Watson Coleman said. bly Republicans press release. hour. our most vulnerable victims — abused Year by the New Jersey Sex Crimes Congresswoman Watson AIEF Israel Seminars offer sub- “I am honored my colleagues have NJ Transit Trains Would Be children, survivors of sexual assault, Officers’ Association, an honor com- Coleman, along with a group of stantive opportunities to learn about entrusted me to continue leading the Required to Have AEDs and the families of homicide victims. mending her successful investigation women Members of Congress from the U.S.-Israel relationship. The del- fight against Governor (Phil) In response to news reports that an She has fought to bring those who of a human trafficking operation with both parties, met with opposition egation trip was sponsored by the Murphy’s new taxes and more spend- NJ Transit is not required to carry would hurt our people to justice. And multiple victims. leader Benny Gantz, Prime Minister AIEF, which is privately funded by ing,” Asm. Bramnick said. “We need automated external defibrillators or she has served her fellow officers as a Ms. Gusmano’s swearing in also Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestin- American citizens. to come together on a plan to make AEDs aboard its trains, a state law- trusted partner, as a no-nonsense su- marks the first time in state history ian diplomat Saeb Erekat. The Con- New Jersey a better place for our maker has introduced legislation to pervisor, and as a guardian of the that women have held the top three gresswomen also participated in a Thank You for Your taxpayers, families and seniors while require all trains to be equipped with integrity of their profession. She has leadership positions in any number of site visits, briefings and standing up against bad policies that defibrillators. On November 4th a earned her reputation as one of the prosecutor’s office. The Union other meetings in order to build a Continued Support will hurt our economy and residents.” NJ Transit passenger suffered a heart hardest-working people in this of- County Prosecutor’s Office is now more comprehensive understanding Newly elected to join the senior attack onboard a rush hour train de- fice, and in her new role, she will led by Ms. Ruotolo, who was ap- of our bilateral relationship, new of Local Journalism leadership team are Ned Thomson of spite attempts by a doctor to revive continue to lead by example,” Ms. pointed to the position by Attorney Ruotolo said. General Gurbir S. Grewal, and who is opportunities for closer cooperation, goleader.com/form/subscribe Monmouth County as whip, and Hal him. the peace process, and Israel’s secu- Wirths of Sussex to replace John Assembly Transportation Com- Ms. Gusmano began her law en- herself one of only five female county mittee Chair Daniel Benson (D- forcement career with the Kean Uni- prosecutors in New Jersey. On as- 14th, Hamilton Square) introduced versity Police Department, where she suming that position, Ms. Ruotolo his bill on Thursday that would also formed and served as commander of elevated office veteran Doreen A. require that appropriate procedures the agency’s first official detective Yanik to serve as first assistant pros- regarding maintenance and equip- bureau. In 2000, she joined the ecutor, a position second-in-command ment use be put in place on NJ Prosecutor’s Office, where she has to the acting prosecutor. Now, with Focus On 2020 With A held a number of sensitive positions her selection of Ms. Gusmano as chief, Trains. “In light of the recent incident, we as both an investigator and a senior the office’s executive staff features may never know whether an AED officer, including with the office’s women in all three top positions. would have helped, but we can’t Complimentary wait until the next tragedy to find out,” Asm. Benson said. “It needs to Trailside Center to Hold be the standard, not the exception, that resuscitation devices and AEDs Financial Review are available onboard trains in the Pressed Flower Workshop event of any and all medical emer- COUNTY – Union County resi- is located at the site. gencies.” dents and visitors can learn how to Attendees must be age 18 or older. create their own handmade cards with Space is limited and pre-registration is pressed flowers and foliage at the required through the Trailside Talks link Are You Minding upcoming Pressed Flower Workshop on the Union County activities online on Thursday, November 14 from 7 registration website, secure.rec1.com/ Your Business? p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Union County’s NJ/union-county-nj (scroll down for the 6WDUWLQJLQDQGJURZLQJWRRYHUELOOLRQLQDVVHWV Trailside Nature and Science Center, Trailside Talks link). goleader.com/form/bulletin located at 452 New Providence Road A materials fee of $20 per Union XQGHUPDQDJHPHQWZHKDYHEHHQSURYLGLQJRXUFOLHQWV in Mountainside. Ample free parking County participant, and $25 for out- of-county visitors, applies. ZLWKSHDFHRIPLQGE\HQKDQFLQJWKHLUˉQDQFLDOIUHHGRP “This workshop provides Union The Family Law Department of County residents and visitors with an opportunity to explore their creativity ,QFHOHEUDWLRQRIRXUWKDQQLYHUVDU\DVSDUWRIWKH Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski in the unique field of flower pressing :HVWˉHOGFRPPXQLW\ZHDUHH[WHQGLQJDComplimentary and preservation, under the guidance Jennifer L. Young, Esq. • Kristin M. Capalbo, Esq. • Mario C. Gurrieri, Esq. of an experienced teacher,” Freeholder Financial ReviewWRTXDOLˉHG:HVWˉHOGDUHDUHVLGHQWV Chair Bette Jane Kowalski said. 3 Lawyers, 3 Levels of Experience, 3 Hourly Rates The workshop will be taught by 7KLVLVWKHSHUIHFWWLPHWRJHW\RXUˉQDQFLDOKRXVHLQ flower designer Mary Kao. Ms. Kao All designed to serve your interests in all aspects of divorce including will discuss the best time to preserve RUGHUEHIRUHWKH1HZ

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