Millstone voters restore GOP's complete control
Grbelja, Abilheira vow to focus on economic development, recreation
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP and JANE MEGGIT
Staff Writers

Millstone

MILLSTONE - Despite a hefty turnout of Democratic voters in the Nov. 7 election, Republicans once again have earned total reign over Millstone Township.

Republican incumbents Nancy Grbelja and Elias Abilheira bested challengers William Nurko, a Democrat, and John Pfefferkorn, a Republican running as an independent, in the local race for the two three-year term seats up for grabs on the Township Committee.

Grbelja, who currently serves as the township's mayor, was the top vote-getter in the election with 1,651 votes. Abilheira, who is currently a township committeeman, was the second top earner of votes at 1,599.

Nurko just trailed behind Abilheira with 1,388 votes, while Pfefferkorn garnered 1,077 votes.

Grbelja said that she is extremely pleased that the residents of Millstone Township elected her to another three-year term.

"During my first term, rehabilitating the open space program, financial reform and fine-tuning the master plan to benefit the residents of Millstone was a top priority," she said. "During the next three years, the completion of our recreation, economic development and Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) housing plans should be completed and well under way."

"Many came out to vote anti-incumbent, anti-Republican and anti-war in Iraq, and the fact that we as Republican incumbents won ... means the voters get it." - Elias Abilheira

Grbelja noted the need for better communication with the residents.

"Just as the broadcasting of Township Committee meetings helped to eliminate the spread of misinformation," she said, "the decisions and brainstorming process that take place at the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment should be visible."

Grbelja also promotes shared services between various governmental agencies including the Board of Education as an important tool in providing better service to residents as well as helping to defray costs. She said the solar initiative to save energy expenses in municipal buildings will also aid in defraying costs long term.

Abilheira said he and Grbelja are "obviously pleased with the results" and that they believe the voters sent a message that they would like him and his running mate to continue with the reforms they started in township government three years ago.

Abilheira said he was somewhat surprised by the number of votes his opponents received in the election "despite the fact that they refused to debate and ran such a negative campaign devoid of any issues."

Abilheira said this election saw a lot of people come out to vote who had not voted in the past.

"Many came out to vote anti-incumbent, anti-Republican and anti-war in Iraq, and the fact that we as Republican incumbents won by a wide majority means the voters get it," he said, referring to his and his running mate's accomplishments in office.

Looking forward, Abilheira said his main goal in returning to office is to finish what he started three years ago, which involves completely revamping the township's open space program.

"We still have a lot of acreage in the process," he said.

Abilheira said he also wants to see the solar initiative he implemented in the town come to fruition.

In addition, the governing body will focus on two other projects Abilheira termed "vital." The projects include reviewing the highway corridors in town for commercial zoning "to bring in effective revenue and to generate clean ratables that would help stabilize school taxes," according to Abilheira, as well as completing a long-term plan for township recreation.

Nurko said he was disappointed that he did not win a seat on the committee.

"However, I am proud that I was able to give the voters an option, and they responded," he said. "All things considered, I think I did reasonably well."

When asked what he thinks the re-election of Abilheira and Grbelja to the committee means for Millstone, Nurko responded, "Only time will tell."

Looking forward, Nurko said, "As far as running again in the future, all I can say is that initially I had not intended to run this year, primarily due to personal reasons, but look where I landed. I am one who likes to keep my options open. To use a phrase once again, 'Only time will tell.' "

Nurko said that in the immediate future, he plans to devote his time to his wife, Clara, who has always supported him 100 percent in his endeavors.

"But mostly I am looking forward to spending lots of time with my two granddaughters, Graciella and Kali Anne, and my grandson, Sean William," he said.

Pfefferkorn expressed his "deepest appreciation" for every vote he received.

"It is a true honor to be considered by the voters," he said. "I knew the uphill battle to run as an independent where you need to overcome the huge Millstone party line voting advantage of probably 700 to 1,000 votes. But that didn't intimidate me now, nor will it again if I seek future considerations."

Despite what Abilheira said, Pfefferkorn said he and Nurko ran "a clean campaign."

"We stayed away from the old muck that we have seen run by the Republican County Executive Committee (RCEC) candidates," he said.

Pfefferkorn called the vote difference between him and Nurko "unusual."

"Some voters called me and were very confused about the new electronic machines," he said. "So I expect some votes were cast in error or missed and that hurt my numbers."

Pfefferkorn also alleged that since he ran as an "independent Republican" this time he "probably lost some of the pure Democratic-line voters."

Looking forward, Pfefferkorn said, "For me, my family is somewhat relieved with the results because it allows [me] more time to spend with my family, my church and my charity endeavors."

While he would consider running for office again, Pfefferkorn said he would prefer to see a nonpartisanship change of government first.

"I support a complete change in that view and will work with anyone who is willing to make the changes needed to restore balance," he said. "I've spoken to a lot of people who would support a change to a nonpartisan form of government where the public would also elect their mayor."

He added that residents should hold the winning candidates to their campaign promise of lowering taxes.

Although the Township Committee will remain an all-Republican governing body until at least the next election, Abilheira said he couldn't imagine a more diverse group of people serving the citizens of the township.

He said the governing body consists of a union organizer, two lawyers, a chief financial officer and a soldier who served a couple of tours in Iraq.

"We are solely beholden to the residents," Abilheira said. "We're one of the few committees in the state that hasn't taken one penny from special-interest groups."

Grbelja added, "The makeup of the current Township Committee gives us the expertise needed to move our town forward in a positive direction."