Independent Rinker wins Council seat
Vernon The big story in Vernon is that Sally Rinker won her fight for a seat on the Town Council as an Independent. Rinker, a Republican, lost narrowly in the Republican primary and was later rejected when the township’s Republican committee endorsed its candidates. She then ran a vigorous candidate as an Independent, seeking the two-year unexpired term on council. The unofficial tally from the Sussex County Clerk’s office shows that her opponent Republican Craig Benda received 2,825 votes to 3,888 for Rinker. In the bid for two four-year council seats Republican Harry Shortway received the most votes: 4,464. Michael Pier, a Republican, took 3,607 votes and challenger Mary Ellen Vichiconti, running as an Independent, trailed with 3,457. Again this is the unofficial tally from the County Clerk’s office. Shortway, Pier and Benda ran as a team. Other 2009 local election results Sussex County’s voters backed the winning candidate for governor, giving Chris Christie 31,665 votes to 12,849 for incumbent Jon S. Corzine. The Independent challenger Christopher J. Daggett got 4,550 countywide according to the unofficial results. In Sussex Borough, two candidates were unchallenged for two available three-year seats. James L. Fransen (R) 373 Edward J. Meyer (R) 388 Though Sussex Borough voters gave a thumbs up to the question of a municipal merger with the surrounding Wantage Township, the move was voted down by a large majority in Wantage. Both municipalities had to pass the measure. See related story page 1. In Wantage Township, one three-year term was available. The Republican candidate garnered about twice the votes of his Independent challenger. William Gaechter (R) 2,614 Robert C. Maikis (I) 1,067 Other contests Branchville Two, three-year terms David Wayne Howell (R) 232 Frank San Phillip (R) 236 General Assembly Two, two-year seats Alison Littell McHose (R) 36,305 Gary R. Chiusano (R) 33,409 Frederick J. Katz Jr. (D) 12,296 Surrogate Five-year term Nancy D. Fitzgibbons (R) 40,790 State Question $400 million for open space yes 21,202 no 27,709 (Question approved statewide) Freeholder Two, three-year terms Susan Zellman (R) 38,347 Richard Zeoli (R) 35,914