The Week in Union County

Berkeley Heights

Jeanne Kingsley, a 15-year resident of the town with a long list of experience working in finance, and incumbent Robert "Bob" Woodruff, former mayor of Berkeley Heights, were both elected Tuesday to fill the two open seats on the Berkeley Heights Township Council, defeating Democrats Stephen Yellin and Jamie Divine Cadavid.

Kingsley finished with 1,494 votes, while Woodruff garnered 1,459 votes. Yellin received 819 and Divine Cadavid 569 votes.

Woodruff said during his tenure as Mayor and in his current Council position, he has worked productively for the Township’s citizens and feels that his vast experience is important at this time.

“These difficult times require steady stewardship from those entrusted with governance," said Woodruff. "I look forward to continuing the civility which now characterizes our Council and the tone which reflects a positive future for the people of Berkeley Heights."

Clark

The Clark Fire Department extinguished the blaze with assistance from Rahway and Linden crews. The business, housed in a one-story building, was closed when the fire broke out; nobody was in the building when the incident occurred. Clark Deputy Fire Chief Frank Cerasa said the department does not know the cause of the blaze and the Union County Arson Squad and a unit from the County Sheriff's Department will investigate to determine the cause.

Cranford

Cranford Republicans Andis Kalnins and Lisa Adubato Nesi secured an unexpected victory in Tuesday's Township Committee race, defeating Incumbent Mayor Daniel Aschenbach and his running mate Thomas Hannen Jr. According to the results provided by Township Clerk Tara Rowley Tuesday night, Kalnins and Adubato Nesi garnered 2,727 votes and 2,698 votes respectively to defeat Aschenbach, who earned 2,351 votes and Hannen, who earned 2,511 votes. The election yielded a 33 percent voter turnout.

, which is widely known for its choir program, will have six of their students performing with the All-State Choir in Atlantic City at the  Teacher's Convention today and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Nov. 20. The All-State Choir is part of the New Jersey Music Educators Association, an organization that advances the music instruction in New Jersey's educational institutions. The students, who auditioned in the spring, are among 1,000 choral students to earn spots in the esteemed NJ All-State Chorus. The six CHS students selected were: Jake Forrestal, Jimmy Sweeney, Lucy Esposito, Ryan Burd, Geddy Warner and Casey Zebrowski. Forrestal, a junior is the only student who has been a member of the All-State Choir before.

 The Cranford PAL 8th grade football team completed its regular season with a perfect 8-0 record by defeating archrival Parsippany on Saturday by a score of 16-0. Cranford's offensive line set the tone early, springing half back Jack Schetelich for touchdown runs of 64 and 18 yards in the first half. 

Fanwood

Fanwood Democrats Mayor Colleen Mahr, Russell Huegel and Kevin Boris swept Tuesday’s elections, with Mahr garnering more than double the votes of her opponent Joe Britt.  Kevin Boris who lost by only 39 votes last year won by 488 in this election. Huegel won his second term on Council with 1,325 votes; the widest margin in recent memory. Mahr, who clinched her third four-year term as Mayor with 1,158 votes noted that Fanwood residents had been unified this year by unexpected natural disasters such as Hurricane Irene and the recent snow storm. Mahr noted that looking forward, she wants to see increased shared services and the redevelopment of downtown Fanwood completed.  

Garwood

 The pair defeated a challenge for their seats from Republican newcomers Carol Ann Kearney and Steven Blaufeder. Official results showed Petruzzelli with 520 votes, Todisco with 499, Kearney with 393 and Blaufeder with 371. Todisco and Petruzzelli say their top priority is encouraging redevelopment along North Avenue. “We also need to maintain services to keep this borough the great little find it is, but while also keeping an eye on the bottom line,” Todisco told Patch.

Mountainside

With little fanfare, 25.7% of the registered 4,773 voters came out on a unseasonably warm November day to cast their votes.

Mountainside's Republican mayor Paul Mirabelli ran unopposed while garnering 773 votes. Keith Turner and Deanna Andre recieved 828 and 836 votes respectively for Borough Council.

New Providence

The residents of New Providence have spoken. On Tuesday night, both the Open Space Fund Referendum and the Liquor Consumption Licenses Referendum passed by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, according to unofficial results from the borough. The Open Space Fund referendum received 1,352 "yes" votes and 948 "no" votes, while 1,561 residents voted "yes" for the Liquor Consumption Licenses referendum versus 782 who voted "no." All three council candidates ran uncontested in this election. Councilman Armand Galluccio and Dr. Bob Robinson were elected to 3-year council terms with 1,668 and 1,766 votes, respectively. Councilman Alan Lesnewich was elected to an unexpired term, with 1,702 votes. Read on  .

Scotch Plains/Fanwood

Veterans and supportive residents of both Fanwood and Scotch Plains gathered to pay tribute to those who have served our country at two separate ceremonies on Veterans Day hosted by of Joe McCourt of the VFW Post 209 and members of the American Legion.  At the Scotch Plains ceremony, Mayor Nancy Malool encouraged local business owners to hire veterans who face extraordinary challenges when coming home because of the economic climate in this country. Congressman Leonard Lance spoke at the service given at the Fanwood Memorial Library and presented the local chapters of the VFW and the American Legion with an American Flag that has flown over the United States Capital.

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School boys' varsity soccer team won the NJSIAA Sectional State Championship, beating the Chatham Cougars 2-0. 

Springfield

For the third time in as many years, Springfield’s Township Committee shifted in political leadership. With the , the former Springfield Mayor who lost in his re-election bid in 2010, Springfield’s governing body returns to Republican control following a year of Democratic majority led by Hugh Keffer. Keffer lost to Shehady in a  decided by less than 60 votes.

In news not related to politics, local food shopping and business got a boost with the opening of  in the spot formerly occupied by Food King. In addition to the usual grocery fare, the store offers a number of specialty Spanish and Portuguese products. 

Summit

Republican Ellen Dickson captured the vote to become Mayor-elect Tuesday, ending a contentious race for the city's top spot. Dickson will replace two-term Mayor Jordan Glatt, Summit's first Democratic mayor in a century, who didn't seek re-election. With three candidates seeking to take over his post, Dickson won her mayoral bid with 1,954 votes, or 39 percent of votes, topping Democrat Eileen Forman Ludden, who earned 1,699 votes, or 34 percent. Independent candidate Michael Vernotico trailed with 1,313 votes, or nearly 26 percent.

The undefeated Summit High School Hilltoppers (9-0) came from behind to beat the Roselle Rams (5-3) in the Quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Football Playoffs. After struggling to take control of the game in the first half, the Hilltopper offense capitalized on several Rams turnovers leading to a resounding 34-21 victory. 

Westfield

The Republican candidates for Town Council swept all four wards in Westfield Tuesday. http://patch.com/A-n76w

Speaking of elections, find out how each district voted. http://patch.com/A-n7Js

Local moms and sisters-in-law quit their jobs to create an online calendar aimed at making busy lives more manageable.http://patch.com/A-n22Q

Westfield received a four-bloom rating from America in Bloom for its environmental efforts. http://patch.com/A-nmpd

Residents had an opportunity to honor service men and women at multiple ceremonies. http://patch.com/A-nB5r

The Board of Education is seeking resumes for a new board member. http://patch.com/A-nBMR

Author Tom Davis will discuss his book on the subject of  mental illness. http://patch.com/A-nCjN

Westfield High School's Theatre Department will present the drama 'Stage Door' next weekend. http://patch.com/A-n8dL