Alexander, Faber victory ends divisive U.F. election
Sal Diecidue's write-in campaign fails at polls
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

Voters vindicated the results of the June Republican primary in Upper Freehold Township's Nov. 7 general election, despite Township Committeeman Sal Diecidue's write-in campaign to keep himself on the governing body.

Republicans incumbent Stephen Alexander and newcomer Robert Faber, who both won the June primary election for the two open Township Committee seats, bested Diecidue again in the recent election. Alexander was the top vote-getter with 1,354 votes. Faber received 1,283 votes, and Diecidue - who was not on the ballot - received 775 write-in votes, according to Township Administrator Barbara Bascom.

Faber said he wanted to thank Upper Freehold voters for their support.

"It proves the majority of voters in the township have spoken and want to see change on the Township Committee," he said.

Noting that agriculture is the primary industry in town, Faber said his No. 1 priority will be more farmland preservation.

"If we don't slow the growth, we will be looking at some large, large tax bills," he said.

Alexander said he was very pleased with the election results and proud of township residents for getting out and exercising their constitutional right to vote.

"I understand approximately 58 percent of registered voters in Upper Freehold actually voted," Alexander said. "That is a remarkable number."

Alexander congratulated Congressman Chris Smith and Amy Little, who won county freeholder positions in the election, as well as Faber.

"I am looking forward to working with Bob [Faber] next year when he joins the Township Committee," Alexander said. "I also want to take this time and thank the wonderful team that helped Bob and me. They are a class act."

Diecidue said he is disappointed in the election results, but is gratified that almost 800 voters went out of their way to write his name in on the ballot.

"I believe that it is a rare occurrence when a write-in candidate garners such a high percentage of the vote," he said. "I have always worked for what I believe was right for the township and its people."

Diecidue said he appreciates and thanks those "who worked so hard in only a short period of time on my behalf knowing full well that it was a long shot.

"They will always have my deepest regards," he added.

When asked for comments on the election, Mayor Stephen Fleischacker said, "There was a strong write-in candidacy, but in the end, the general election confirmed the results of the primary election."

Fleischacker said he is looking forward to working with Faber on farmland preservation initiatives and innovative property-tax strategies to promote agricultural viability for township farmers. He also said he will continue to work with Alexander on economic development, emergency services and labor issues.

Fleischacker said he hopes Diecidue will continue to have an active role in both the Allentown/Upper Freehold Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the township's recreation programs. He said he also hopes Diecidue continues to address quality-of-life issues in the community.

Diecidue said he intends to stay active in township activities.

"Upper Freehold is my home," he said, "and the results of the election not withstanding, I consider the townspeople my neighbors and my friends even though we may not always see eye to eye.

"I enjoyed my term on the Township Committee," he added, "and I hope to continue to be of service in whatever capacity I am able."

Since the election was divisive, the mayor was asked how he would attempt to heal the divide. Fleischacker said that the town's residents are very passionate in their beliefs and equally passionate about the candidates they believe best support their views.

"In the heat of an election, statements are made that may not always be truthful and, at times, are hurtful," Fleischacker said. "Add to that today's ability to instantaneously deliver a negative message to hundreds of potential voters via the Internet and yes, the election becomes divisive."

Fleischacker said the community, like many others, has an underlying philosophy "to win at all costs."

Despite how disturbing election and post-election rhetoric may be, however, Fleischacker said he believes there is always a middle ground.

"I always have - and always will - focus on the issues at hand," he said, "and not on the person who delivers the message, or has delivered past messages that have been particularly disturbing and troublesome."

Fleischacker said that everyone has a right to an opinion and an opportunity to express it.

"All I ask in return," he said, "is that they be respectful of others and the civic process.

"Fairness, objectivity and open lines of communication are, in my opinion, the keys to good government [and] good leadership," he continued, "and the best way to heal a community after a difficult election day."

When asked how he expects the divisiveness to heal, Faber said Diecidue supporters would have to make the first move by accepting the results of the general election, as they did not accept the results of the primary.

"Accept it and honor it," he said. "Every game, somebody gets beat."

When asked if he thought there would be repercussions in the township's Republican Club for those who supported Diecidue rather than the Republican candidates, Fleischacker responded no.

"Based on elections in recent years," he said, "I do not believe there will be repercussions in the Upper Freehold Township Republican Club."