Winners: We'll bring 'a breath of fresh air'

BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

Barlow Voters elected a split ticket to the Spotswood Borough Council in Tuesday's nonpartisan election.

Running mates Curtis Stollen and Thomas Barlow, both incumbents, were elected along with newcomer Marge Drozd, who ran independently.

Losing the election was the team of incumbent Howard Keenan, former councilman Kevin Meade and newcomer Jacqueline Zelesnick. The team's campaign was managed by Mayor Barry Zagnit.

Also edged out in the election was newcomer John Shaughnessy, who ran with Stollen and Barlow.

Barlow, who was first elected last year to fill an unexpired term, led the field with 665 votes. Drozd finished second with 606, while Stollen was third with 552.

Shaughnessy ended up with 541 votes. Meade garnered 492 votes, while Keenan wound up with 383 and Zelesnick with 363.

Approximately 800 people cast votes in the election.

The outcome changes the dynamics of the five-member council, as there has been some divide between the winners and those aligned with Zagnit. The other two council members who will remain onboard after the July reorganization are James Shearn and Edward Seeley.

Drozd The winners were elated with the victory.

"For me, this is a Cinderella story," Stollen said. "My treatment after the 2001 election [by others on the governing body] was pretty poor and unprofessional. This renews my

confidence that the voters are watching and paying attention."

Barlow said he was honored to be the largest vote-getter.

"It tells me that the last six months I was doing a good job," he said.

Drozd was also ecstatic with her victory.

"I am excited, thrilled and grateful to the voters for giving me the opportunity to serve them," she said.

Drozd, a former Board of Education member who lost two earlier bids for a council seat, said the third time really did turn out to be the charm.

As for what happens now, Drozd said she will get a rundown from Zagnit on what is going on in the small borough.

Stollen "It'll be very interesting, because you had a mayor who actively campaigned against the new council majority," she said. "But I'm hopeful we can work together as a team. We owe it to the taxpayers."

Barlow said the new council members will be a "breath of fresh air," and that council meetings will now feature "open and honest" discussions.

Shaughnessy said he was pleased with the results, since he did finish fourth despite this being his first run for office.

"I'm delighted my running mates won," he said.

Shaughnessy said he plans to stay involved with local politics by attending meetings, continuing to serve on the Zoning Board, and staying in touch with Stollen and Barlow.

"We ran to effectuate this kind of change,' he said. "With Marge, certainly there will be a change in attitude."

Drozd said those who have attended council meetings knew a change was needed, and that those residents had spread the word.

Stollen, who began serving in 1998, said the election was important to him because it means he has a "foundation of support."

Calls to other candidates who were unsuccessful in the election were not immediately returned.

The county will conduct an unrequested recount, even though it is not expected to change the outcome. The recount is being done because candidates legally have a lengthy period of time in which they can request a recount. If the county were to wait, it would not be able to use the machines for the upcoming primaries.