Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 5, 2015 OUR 125th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 45-2015 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS GOP Keeps Westfield, LD 21; Dems Make Gains in Summit By BRIAN TRUSDELL margin, receiving 850 votes to 474 Tuesday’s election was the first time Specially Written for The Westfield Leader votes for Democratic challenger that victorious candidates “won ev- WESTFIELD — Republicans re- Martin Rothfelder. And in the fourth ery district in every ward.” tained their unanimous hold on the ward, where incumbent Republican The four victorious candidates each Westfield town council, winning all James Foerst chose not to seek re- addressed the crowd of supporters, four seats up for grabs on Tuesday, election, Mr. Stokes defeated Demo- with the bulk of their remarks being and took over Garwood’s council, crat Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded by a expressions of thanks to their back- while Democrats picked up seats in 788 to 553 margin. ers, their campaign teams and their Cranford and Summit. Voters sent a message, said Asm. families. Speaking of the GOP sweep, Unofficial vote totals showed that, Jon Bramnick, the Westfield Repub- Mr. Arena said that “people under- in the first ward, Republican council- lican party chairman. He told a bois- stand what we’re doing is the right man Arena defeated Democrat Daniel terous crowd of supporters at the thing.” Mayor Skibitsky thanked out- Ortolani by a 842 to 559 margin. In James Ward mansion after the votes going councilman Foerst for his ser- the second ward, councilwoman had been tallied that “voters trust vice during “a great 12 years” on the Neylan ran unopposed and garnered [mayor] Andy Skibitsky, they trust governing body. 611 votes. In the third ward, council- the council and they trust Republi- The four winning candidates will man LoGrippo won by the biggest cans.” Mr. Bramnick pointed out that begin their terms on January 1 when Republicans will continue their 9-to- 0 control of the town council. In the other local election on Tues- day, Gretchan Ohlig, Charles Ostroff and Robert Garrison — the three candidates for the three seats on the Photo Courtesy of Bill Klimas board of education — each won, not STUNNING NATURE…The beauty of fall is depicted at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield. surprisingly. As expected, Republicans Jon Bramnick and Nancy Munoz kept their state Assembly seats from the GOP Takes Control of GW Council; 21st district and likewise incumbent Jerry Green along with newcomer James Kennedy kept the 22nd dis- Sarno, Cuccaro Upend Democrats trict spots for the Democrats. Although results were unofficial, By BRIAN TRUSDELL Ileen Cuccaro unseating Democrat Charles Lombardo, a Democrat, Democrats statewide appeared to pick Specially Written for The Westfield Leader incumbents Bill Nierstedt and Carol would cast a deciding vote. up three seats in the 80-member As- GARWOOD — Republicans took Kearney by convincing margins. “We’re going to have to see if we sembly. Considering voting in June’s control of borough council Tues- In unofficial returns, Mr. Sarno can bring Mike Martin around,” Ms. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 day, with newcomers Joe Sarno and received the most votes, 620, with Cuccaro said. Ms. Cuccaro close behind with 612. “Now, we have a better represen- Ms. Kearney, who was appointed tation of the people,” Mr. Sarno Dems Hannen, Giblin Win to council in September when Ann said. “I’m not looking at those on Brian Trusdell for The Westfield Leader WINNING TEAM...Republicans Ileen Cuccaro and Joe Sarno celebrate their Tarantino resigned for medical rea- council as enemies. To me we’re victory for seats on the Garwood Borough Council after beating incumbent sons, received 394 votes, and Mr. working together for Garwood as a Democrats Bill Nierstedt and Carol Kearney by wide margins. Cranford Committee Seats Nierstedt received 389. whole.” It was Ms. Kearney’s third un- Republicans hammered Mr. By CHRISTINA M. HINKE the election party at Kilkenny House. successful try to win a council seat. Nierstedt — the council president, MS Council OKs Safety Plan; Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “I am humbled by the tremendous She ran twice before as a Republi- and by association Ms. Kearney, CRANFORD — Incumbent Tom support I have received from the can. for his vote to fire department of Hannen, Jr. and Patrick Giblin de- younger families in town. I look for- “It was a very loud and clear public works superintendent Fred BOE Incumbents Reelected feated Republican counterparts ward to representing them on the message that (the voters) have had Corbitt in July as part of a shared Michael Petrucci and Barbara Bilger township committee,” Mr. Giblin told it with the way this town is work- services agreement with Fanwood. By KATE BROWNE tal Television and Public Safety Act Tuesday, giving Democrats an extra The Leader. “I look forward to jump- ing,” Ms. Cuccaro said as she cel- Several meetings of capacity Specially Written for The Westfield Leader of 2005 set a 2015 deadline for states seat on the Cranford Township Com- ing right in.” ebrated at the Hazel Avenue home crowds and overwhelming opposi- MOUNTAINSIDE — Congres- and municipalities to transition to the mittee. Mr. Hannen told supporters that of Republican chairman and coun- tion did little to sway the council, sional directives, broad band spec- 700MHZ band. The new system will Mr. Hannen received 2,440 votes, Mr. Giblin, who is married with three cilman Jim Mathieu. which voted 5-1 to terminate Mr. trum and broadcast technology were provide a direct connection to police or 59 percent, over Mr. Petrucci’s young children, represented a differ- “There’s nobody representing Corbitt. Republicans used the issue on the agenda for the Mountainside and emergency responders statewide 1,669 votes to win a second term, ent demographic. them. (The council members) don’t to portray Mr. Nierstedt and the Borough Council’s November 3 work and will be a significant improve- while Mr. Giblin garnered 2,127 “This victory is about Patrick bring- listen to anything the taxpayers have Democrats as tone deaf. meeting, during an evening that also ment over the existing system, which, votes, or 52 percent, to defeat Ms. ing a new generation of people to to say. And they’ve had enough. “I believe it’s an unfortunate saw the re-election of Jeane Parker Mr. Debbie advised, was nearing the Bilger (1,940), still leaving Republi- help Cranford,” he said. “It’s a really strong message to vote,” said Mr. Nierstedt outside and Katie Motz to the Mountainside end of its useful life and due to age cans in control of the committee 3-2. “We have already been talking about borough hall that we’ve had it. the Westwood banquet hall “But Board of Education. had recently not performed well dur- Ms. Bilger was appointed in Sep- plans on what we would like to do in (We’re) taking back our town.” the voters of Garwood have spoken During the governing body meet- ing severe rainstorms. tember to replace Republican Lisa terms of projecting out the next couple Mr. Sarno and Ms. Cuccaro’s vic- and I respect that. I have been ac- ing, council members unanimously Mr. Debbie and Councilman Keith Adubato, who resigned to become a of years. Patrick is a financial planner tories will give Republicans a 4-2 tive in Garwood for 27 years and I voted to transition the community’s Turner, who is the governing body’s New Jersey Superior Court judge in and I think he brings this wealth of edge on council with Mr. Mathieu will continue to serve Garwood.” public radio safety system from the liaison with the Mountainside Police Essex County. Mr. Giblin will imme- knowledge to the Township Commit- and Mike Martin. However, Mr. In the school board election, in- existing “telephone tie-in” to the new Department, recommended that the diately take over for Ms. Bilger to tee,” Mr. Hannen told The Leader. Martin feuds often with Mr. Mathieu cumbent Amanda Langston won un- wireless spectrum. project be done in cooperation with complete the year remaining two Newcomers William Hulse and and almost invariably votes with opposed, earning 548 votes of 1,032 According to Borough Adminis- Union County in three phrases. The years on Ms. Adubato’s term. Maria Loikith ran unopposed for two the Democrats. cast. Ms. Langston was the only trator James Debbie, television broad- police department’s equipment would “[I’m] Looking forward to work- of the three open seats and were In the case of a 3-3 tie, Mayor declared candidate for three seats. casters currently occupy the 700MHZ be upgraded to the new 700MHZ ing with Patrick to keep Cranford elected to the Cranford school board. band. However, Congress has directed band trunk in the first phase, fol- strong and do a lot of good things for There also was an unexpired term on that the broadcasters transition to digi- lowed by the fire department and Cranford in the future,” Mr. Hannen the board that did not attract any tal broadcast technology and vacate then the Emergency Services group. told The Westfield Leader Tuesday at candidates. the spectrum in order to accommo- Mr. Debbie and Councilman Turner date wireless commercial and public advised that the costs of compliance safety use of the spectrum. The Digi- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Westfield School Board Questions PARCC Results By DELL SIMEONE to take the exam on a computer or Specially Written for The Westfield Leader other electronic devices.