Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 30

Asbury Ptrk PrrWedndy. November 1. 1989 Massa to serve 4th term in Howell Two Democrats win contest in Freehold III was the worst, dirtiest campaign I've excrbcen involved with. Dant J. Massa Howell Township committeeman GOP newcomer ty SHANNON MULLEN Prs Freehold Bureau HOW ELL TOWNSHIP Dcmo-crjiic incumbent Dante J.

Massa retained hit teat on the Township Com-mutce for a fourth term, and Republican newcomer David G. Flaherty also won a seat in a closely contested race. Flaherty, a former township police officer, will replace running mate Edmund F. Poss III. who lost in his bid for a second term.

The Democrats retain a J-to-2 majority. Massa was top vote-getter with 4.737 votes. Flaheny followed with 4.652 votes, ahead of Poss, Democrat John D. Van Nov. 4.535; and independent Wayne A.

Stewart a former mayor. 829. The totals include absentee ballots. said Copeland. before the absentee counts were in.

"But i said. think that's premature." With the Copeland and McMorrow tctones, the Democrats retain 4-io-2 control of the council. Mayor Michael Wilson also is a Democrat. "It's wonderful, it's wonderful," said Ms. McMorrow, referring to her victory in her first run for political office.

As for receiving the most votes, Ms. McMorrow said, "I was very pleased with that. In the little time I had, I believe the people of Freehold saw that I was working for them." Ms. McMorrow was appointed to the council to replace John Ballcw, who resigned. Council seats carry three-year terms.

Of the borough's 4,830 registered voters, 2,885. or about 60 percent, went to the polls. This does not include the absentee ballots. Press Freehold Bureau FREEHOLD Democrat Barbara J. McMorrow.

appointed to the council in April, was the top vote-getter in the Borough Council race, winning a seat along with her running mate. Councilman Joseph D. Copcland. Ms. McMorrow had 1.552 votes, followed by Copcland's 1.299.

The losing candidates and their vote counts are the Republican challengers, James P. Wishbow and Cathenne Davis Caldwell, with 1.238 and 1.208 votes respectively, and independent challenger Donald J. DeSanto. with 378. The vote counts include tbscntee ballots.

Although the challengers had conceded defeat by about 10 p.m., Copcland was still sweating it out. waiting to see what would happen to his 83-vote lead over Wishbow after the absentees were calculated. "They (the Republican challengers) came over and said, 'Congratu Roosevelt elects 1 Republican, 1 met." Massa said. Van Noy attributed the split vote to voters finding it difficult to cut through the rhetoric of a bitter campaign and confusion in the wake of charges and counter-charges. hat I heard a lot of people say at the end of the week is 'I'm I think that was a genuine, common, natural reaction on the part of many people." Van Noy said.

Members of both parties have vowed to take legal action because of what they say were slanderous comments in campaign literature. Last week. Republican Municipal Chairman Nicholas Tuyohov said he would file a libel and slander suit against Democrats for statements suggesting will replace Democrats Carol Watchlcr and Edwin Moser, who did not seek reelection. Rothfuss said he had mixed emotions about his victory, saying the split decision probably would create "very lively" council meetings for the next three years. "W'e have bittersweet feelings while we celebrate because it appears that Maureen won't be on the council," he said.

"Everyone who worked for us is happy because I'm in, but I know Maureen would have been a real asset as a councilwoman." Mrs. Parrott declined comment last night. "Our contention was that (Prezant and Allen) were very pro-development, while Maureen and I did not agree that a large development would Florio coattails reach into East Brunswick By BRUCE SHIPK0WSKI Press Correspondent ROOSFVF.LT Former Democrat Howard Prezant became the borough's first elected Republican councilman in 1 1 years last night, as he and Democratic newcomer Kirk A. Roth-fuss won three-year terms. Prezant was the top vote-getter with 237.

He and his running mate. Lee R. Allen, changed their party affiliations in June after losing the Democratic primary to Rothfuss and Maureen Schweitzer Parrott. Rothfuss received 211 votes to defeat Allen, who received 204 votes, and Mrs. Parrott.

200 votes. "I think the public has shown that they vote for people with qualifica 2 GOP incumbents come out on top in Manalapan wins close race "It was the worst, dirtiest campaign I've ever been involved with." said Massa. citing Republican fliers that concentrated on conflict of interest charges and allegations Democrats were beholden to the S. Hovnaman Group, a township-based developer. "They alleged Hovnaman was one of our largest contributors.

He hasn't given us a penny." Massa said. The Democrats said the Hovnaman allegation hurt them in voting District 2. where the Hovnaman-owncd Adel-phia Water Co. has its customer base. The company has proposed a major rate increase.

Republicans won District 2 convincingly. The narrow margin of defeat for Poss resembled the nine-vote victory that put him into office in 1986. "I'm very happy, but it's an empty victory because John Van Noy is one of the most honorable people I ever tions, not party lines," said Prezant. 63. who had served on the council from 1959 to 1961.

He and Allen accepted the GOP nominations after receiving enough wnte-in voles in the Republican primary. "They had enough confidence to put us on the ballot and to give the residents here a chance to render their opinions at the polls," Prezant said. This was just the sixth contested election in the borough since 1972. the last being in 1987. Councilman William A.

Counterman, now a Democrat, was the last Republican to win a council scat, in 1978. Mayor Leon Barth. now an independent, was elected mayor as a Republican in 1979. Prezant and Rothfuss, who will he serving his first term on the council. ow we are i going to move ahead with our programs next year on substance abuse, upgrading the infrastructure, and the municipal garbage program.

John J. McKenna Manalapan mayor "Now we are going to move ahead with our programs next year on substance abuse, upgrading the infrastructure, and the municipal garbage program," said McKenna, 10 Win-throp Drive. "We will strive to work hard for a better Manalapan." "We were pleased with the turnout and the support of the people," said Gray, 1 7 Sandy Brook Road. "We ran a very positive, people-to-pcople campaign and the voters responded." three-year council term, garnering 132 votes, while his running mate, newcomer Arthur Peters, was defeated, receiving 117 votes. DcGruccio said he is ecstatic about becoming a council member and plans to spend his first year in office getting the public more interested in hat the council is doing.

"I think the people of Englishtown should get more actively involved with their local governing body. I want to drum up interest," he said. Neither Soden nor Peters was available for comment last night. Of the borough's 523 registered voters, 249, or 47 percent, cast ballots. By CHUCK ZANGARA Press Correspondent EAST BRUNSW ICK TOWNSHIP The Republicans lost their lock on the five-member Township Council yesterday with Democrat Richard V.

Walling's victory over incumbent Russell B. Walker for a one-year term. Walling defeated Walker by a vote of 7,122 to 5,556. Walker was appointed last year after Mayor Jack G. Sinagra, a former councilman, vacated his scat to become mayor.

Walling. 32, the son of former township Mayor Jean Walling and a public school teacher in Trenton, said the popularity of Rep. Jim Florio, who was elected governor, had a big effect on his victory. "I really think there were several big elements (in the campaign), not the least of which was the strong showing by Jim Florio," Walling said. "At the town level, I think the public saw differences between what I wanted to do for the community and what the incumbent, Russell Walker, wanted to i' I.

rift iti 14-tV i By DONALD V. ADDERTON Press Freehold Bureau MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP Incumbent Republican Mayor John J. McKenna and Committeeman James S. Gray withstood the Jim Flono coattail effect last night to win their third terms on the Township Committee. In a hard-fought campaign.

McKenna received 4,108 votes and Gray 4,320, outdistancing their Democratic rivals. Challengers Fred M. Stone garnered 3,786 votes, and Marcia Dcitz. 3,891, from six districts. Of the 13,722 registered voters, 8.1 19 or 59 percent went to the polls.

Observers said the turning point came with the Republicans doing well in the Covered Bridge retirement development a traditional Democratic stronghold. The four candidates were seeking two, three-year terms on the committee. Annual salary for the mayor is $5,500 and committeeman is $5,000. The Republicans maintain a 4-1 majority on the committee. McKenna said a Republican record of improving the township made a great impact on voters, enough to offset the strong showing of Florio.

he profited from land deals while sitting on the township Board of Adjustment. Democratic Mavor Michael J. Kursk Jr. said he would take similar action against Republicans for conflict of interest charges leveled against him dunng the campaign. The Republicans were not immediately available for comment after the vote totals were in.

The election concludes what could be the costliest municipal race in Monmouth County history, with the Democrats expecting to spend about $60,000 compared to the GOPs $35,000. Of the township's 17,172 registered voters. 10.506. or 61 percent, went to the polls. Democrat help the town financially," Rothfuss said.

"We will have to wait and see what happens now." Prezant declined to speculate whether his election would change the council's direction. "I don't want to start shooting from the hip tonight. I'm just interested in doing what I can to help the town," he said. Allen said he was very pleased with his performance and with the closeness of the election. "I went from what was considered a dark-horse candidacy to a point where I am challenging the two Democrats for a council seat.

I think Howard and I have done very well." he said. Of the borough's 617 registered voters, 444, or 72 percent, went to the polls. Stone, 15 Kingsley Drive, said he would also work to pull Manalapan together. Mrs. Deitz, 15 Patterson Lane, said she would continue to push for a balanced township government.

"You don't always have to win to be a winner," Mrs. Deitz said. "I feel we received a lot of support from the voters." Kothe and Boyce agreed on the two major campaign issues in the township. Neither favored a toxic waste incinerator proposed for a 10-acre site at Interstate 195 and Route 526, and each opposed placement of a residential health care facility for AIDS patients in the township. Boyce has said he would like to see land set aside for small corporate-office development to relieve pressure on homeowners.

Kothe, a Democrat, was elected in April to a three-year term on the Board of Education, a post he would have had to resign from had he won yesterday's election. Kothe is also a Planning Board member and chairman of the township environmental committee. answer. During the campaign, Childers and Selph defended themselves against Democratic charges that the Republican-dominated council governs from crisis to crisis, not by planning ahead. Both Corsair and Sumner said it was lack of long-range planning that caused unnecessarily high salary increases to be granted to some borough employees and caused the borough to lay off a township code enforcement officer, hired Jan.

because of a lack of funds in the municipal budget. Childers had said Democrats were exaggerating the problems in the borough. He called several criticisms "non-issues." "In my mind, there were no main issues except for high taxes," he said. The borough's municipal purposes tax rate is $2.58 per $100 of assessed property value, according to the Ocean County Board of Taxation. Monmouth County gubernatorial results JERRY WALKOWITZAsOury Park Prnt Republican Incumbents in Manalapan Township (from left) Committeeman James S.

Gray and Mayor John J. McKenna will serve third terms. Gray said the Republicans were concerned with the possibility of a Florio coattail effect, but added, "We're trying to bring Manalapan together and if it ain't broke don't fix it." "I'm disappointed at the outcome," Stone said. "What you see as the coattails of Florio just weren't long enough." First Democrat in five years voted to Englishtown Council Boyce wins Millstone seat by slim margin over Kothe do," he said. Walling said the popularity of his deceased mother also contributed to his victory.

Although Walker, who is 67, could not be reached for comment, his campaign manager, Ira Oskowsky, agreed that Florio's popularity aided Walling's victory. "Florio won big, and killed the rest of the Republican candidates, especially in East Brunswick. A lot of people expected (Walker) to win. (Jim) Courter hurt the rest of the ticket," Oskowsky said. Walling said some of his top priorities will be to expand the recycling program to include plastics, which he asserted take up a disproportionate amount of space in the township's landfills, and to support the implementation of a "developer impact fee," an account that would be established to help fund the infrastructure and preserve open space.

Of the 23.209 registered voters in the township, 13,346, or about 58 percent, cast ballots. Asbury Park Press GraphK Jim Jim Florio (D) Courter (R) Aberdeen Township 3,280 1730 Allenhurst 137 177 Allentown 341 232 Asbury Park 2,497 783 Atlantic Highlands 1,064 712 Avon 466 389 Belmar 1,387 747 Bradley Beach 768 436 Bnelle 681 1,044 Colts Neck Township 99J 539 252! 236 187 Eatontown 2,016 1,246 Englishtown 121 3 Fair Haven 1,011 808 Farminqdale 163 184 Freehold 1714 1,036 Freehold Township 3,857 2 842 Hazlet Township 4,168 Highlands 1,094 597 Holmdel Township 1,463 T820 Howell Township 5,639 4261 Interlaken 234 274" Keansburg 1,585 810 Keyport 1,359 870 Little Silver 1,075 1,187 Loch Arbour 76 55 Long Branch 5,234 2,060 Manalapan Township 5,201 2 734 Manasquan 1,380 1 275 Marlboro Township 5,198 2 699 Matawan 1,598 150 Middletown Township 12,450 10 272 Millstone Township 755 g24 Monmouth Beach 714 ggjj Neptune 5,518 3,087 Neptune City 966 671 Ocean Township 5,024 2 84(5 Oceanport 1,211 911 Red Bank 2,072 yi63 Roosevelt 351 Rumson 1,083 1,393 Sea Bright 389 '315 Sea Girt 335 545 Shrewsbury 59J 542 Shrewsbury Township 201 34 South Belmar 395 Spring Lake 846 1,107 Spring Lake Heights 1.266 i'pi7 Tinton Falls 1,789 1177 Union Beach 990 665 Upper Freehold Township 356 455" Wall Township 3,335 3,454 West Long Branch 1,583 1 188 Totals 98,262 69.160 Vote totals are unofficial. Democrats win to balance council at 3-3 Press Freehold Bureau ENGLISHTOW Voters restored the two-party system to the Borough Council yesterday by electing Democrat Paul K. DcGruccio to one of two available scats. DcGruccio.

Park Avenue, received 146 votes in his first run for political office. Employed by National Moving and Warehouse, a family-owned borough business, he will be the first Democrat to serve on the six-member council in five years. Mayor James Dorn also is a Republican. Incumbent Republican Harry W. Soden was returned to another 2 Lakehurst By JIM REISLER Press Toms River Bureau LAKEHLRST Democratic challengers Allan C.

Corsair and David A. Sumner were elected to three-year terms on the Borough Council. Corsair, 46, Cedar Street, and Sumner, 32. Willow Street, won in their first attempts for seats on the council. Top vote-getter in the four-way race was Corsair, with 398 votes.

Sumner received 337 votes. Republican incumbent James C. Selph received 235 votes, and thrce-tprm Republican incumbent Stephen A. Childers received 233. Corsair and Sumner will join John G.

Gayton as Democrats making up half of the six-member council. Clayton had been the lone Democrat. Mayor Nicholas K. Kamai is a Press Freehold Bureau MILLSTONE Republican Allan Boyce won a three-year term on the Township Committee in a close race, defeating challenger R. Stephen Kothe, 763 votes to 7 15.

Of the township's 2,537 registered voters, 1,440 57 percent went to the polls. Incumbent Republican Joseph Meyer chose not to seek re-election to the seat. is term ends Dec. 3 1 Boyce said last night he plans to seek additional tax rebates for senior citizens and work to create another recreational site. Boyce, a blueberry and hay farmer, served on the Township Committee from 1981 to 1983.

He did not seek election again until this year. Corsair said having three Democrats and three Republicans on council will create a healthy situation in which "each side will try to outperform the other. "Each side will carefully scrutinize the other," he said. "That will be a break from the one-sided lackadaisical approach the council has been taking." Sumner, a corrections officer with the Ocean County Department of Corrections, said, "The people were ready for a change. "They wanted new blood and they got it," he said.

"People indicated to us they were dissatisfied." Childers, who was first elected to the council in 1979, said the Democratic victory was tied to the big margin of victory for the governor-elect. Democrat Jim Florio. "The coattails helped them," he said. "I think people were upset over a number of issues and this was their Residents rejected a ballot question on a salary ordinance in a 259 to 223 vote. The question was: "Should the borough salary ordinance be ratified?" Childers, 32.

Pine Street, works as an Ocean County assistant administrative analyst. Selph, 33, Willow Street, was seeking his first full term. A borough optometrist, he was appointed Jan. I to fill the unexpired term of former councilman Ernie Worth, who moved from the area. In November 1988, he lost an election for council by 13 votes to Clayton.

Corsair, owner and manager of a Dover Township heating and cooling business, said he was not surprised by his victory. "The voters made a statement," he said. "The sentiment I got was that people weren't happy with the present administration and the way they wcrt running things.".