Election 2013: Voting Guide for Mendham, Chester Races

As the weather grew colder, the local races for various elected offices heated up in the Mendhams and Chesters. And not get-cozy-by-the-fire warm, either – we’re talking about pot-boiling-over kind of heat.

The following is your need to know guide on the local races in your towns, with links to the stories we’ve covered to help you make an informed decision.

Ready? Here we go.

Chester Borough:

The signs are everywhere, and it makes sense, since five women are vying for three open seats on the Chester School District board of education. Two incumbents – Kerri Wright and Heather Ronco – are both seeking re-election, while newcomers Judy Irwin, Carey Curry, and Amy Collins look to join the board. The three open seats come with three-year terms.

Board member Nathan Treff is running unopposed for a one-year term.

Two candidate forums were held for the five women. Patch was there to cover the first one, which can be seen here:
Chester Board Candidates Resolute in First Forum

Letters of support for community members can be seen here:
Ronco Brings Experience, Leadership to Chester School Board, Resident Says
Irwin Would Have ‘Common Sense’ Approach for School Board, Resident Says
School Board President Has Proven Track Record, Supporter Says
Wright Can Lead District to ‘New Heights,’ Resident Says

On the Chester Borough Council, Jennifer Cooper Napolitano and Karen L. Ferrone are running unopposed for three-year terms.

Chester Township:

There are three major local races going in Chester Township, making it the most active of the four towns on Tuesday. Mayor Bill Cogger is seeking his third consecutive term and is being challenged by Independent Michael Colannino.

Patch’s coverage of the race can be seen here:
Mayoral Candidates Differ on Chester Twp. Budget, Services
Using Opponent’s Name for Website a ‘Savvy Technique,’ Candidate Says

Letters of support can be seen here:
Mayoral Candidate Has ‘Best Intentions’ for Chester Twp., Supporter Says

Chester Township voters will also be weighing in on the aforementioned Chester School District board of education race. Refer to the above for those stories.

Finally, residents will be choosing a Chester Township representative to the West Morris Regional Board of Education as James Johnston, the current board president, is not seeking re-election.

Three men are looking to fill the vacant, three-year term. They are Bruce Sullivan, Gary Lakritz, and Russ Cembrinski.

Patch’s coverage of the candidate forum can be seen here.
Dissolution Disagreement, Enrollment Evaluated by School Board Candidates

Mendham Borough:

The recently-named best place to live in New Jersey also gets to choose its representative to the West Morris Regional School Board, as incumbent Jacke Schram looks for re-election to a three-year term while she’s being opposed by resident Brian Cavanaugh.

Patch’s interview with the candidates can be seen here:
Board Candidates Split Ways on Regional District Structure

At the municipal level, four candidates are looking for two seats on the Mendham Borough Council. Incumbents Mary Veronica Daly and David Sharkey are being challenged by Thomas Callahan and Michael Hock. Both seats come with three-year terms.

The Mendham Borough School District board of education has just two incumbents running for three seats, including Steven Andrew and John Vitale.

Mendham Township:

There are no school board elections for Mendham Township, as it never switched its election from April.

The township committee has two incumbents, Maribeth Thomas and Sam Tolley, running unopposed for two seats. Both come with three-year terms.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.