Primary winners in U.F. celebrate short-lived victory Moslowski, Mount face new contenders, including current mayor BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer Two 1982 Allentown High School graduates won the June 5 Republican primary, but their race for seats on the Upper Freehold Township Committee is far from over. With 527 votes, Stanley Moslowski Jr. was the top vote-getter among the three candidates vying in the primary for their party's nod for the two available seats on the Township Committee. Lori Horsnall Mount received the second highest number of votes, at 473, and former Mayor John Mele lost the election with 451 votes. Former Committeeman Sal Diecidue received two write-in votes during the primary. Mayor Stephen Fleischacker, who chose not to run in the primary for a second term, received 18 write-in votes. However, before the results of the election were tallied, Fleischacker announced that he would run as an independent candidate in November. Jennifer Coffey, a member of the township's Environmental Advisory and Planning boards, also announced that she would run as an independent candidate in the general election. Fleischacker changed his affiliation from Republican to independent in order to run in the general election, and Coffey changed hers from Democrat to independent for the November race. Although the two had their petitions notarized by Four Seasons resident Christine Giglio Nanni, and both had Nanni's husband, John, file their petitions to run for the Township Committee at the same time on June 4, Fleischacker later said he would not run with Coffey and would instead support Moslowski. Among those signing Fleischacker's petition to run as an independent candidate were J. David Holmes, who serves as the male representative for Upper Freehold's District 3 on the Republican County Executive Committee (RCEC) and Moslowski's wife, Lee Ann Moslowski. Her husband also serves as chairman of the township's RCEC. When asked if he would run with Mount or with Fleischacker, Moslowski said he will continue to run by himself. "I am a Republican, and I will be on the ballot in November on the Republican line," he said, adding that at this time he will continue to hold his seat as chairman of the RCEC. Moslowski touched on some of the hot topics in town. As for his views on Smart Growth - of which Fleischacker is a major proponent - Moslowski said he doesn't believe Smart Growth means high-density housing within an agricultural area. "I believe New Canton Estates [off Route 524] is an example of Smart Growth," he said. "One-acre lots saved 75 percent of the entire tract as open space, with only 25 percent of the land developed." He continued, "This won an award from the county for the most innovative planning concept." Moslowski is in favor of farmland preservation, although his family farm has not yet been preserved. "Our family has attended recent township meetings regarding farmland preservation in order to remain informed of the current rules and regulations regarding farmland preservation," he said. "Our farm is owned by multiple family members, and we have decided at this point that since we have a growing and successful farming and excavating business, we would rather see preservation funding go to other family farms that have a more immediate need. "Our farm has been in operation for the past 89 years," he added, "and we plan to continue well into the future." As for possible sewer expansion throughout the township, which is predominantly serviced by private septics and wells, Moslowski said that although he does not want to see widespread sewer expansion, he does feel there is a need for a self-contained sewer facility in the historic hamlet of Imlaystown. Moslowski explained that the failing septic systems in the hamlet have been a problem for some homes and businesses, since the small lot sizes there do not provide room for new systems. "The facility would serve only those in the village and would not be expanded to serve new residential development," he said. Mount, who had to travel out of the country on business shortly after the election, said she would support the Republican ticket. Mele congratulated Mount, with whom he campaigned for election, along with Moslowski, and wished them the best in their run for Township Committee. He also thanked the number of friends and neighbors who publicly worked on his and Mount's campaign, as well as those who spent time with them as they visited the township's neighborhoods to introduce themselves and to learn what residents are thinking. ""Mount, Moslowski and I all discussed honesty and open government," Mele said. "Yet at the 11th hour, an elected official and a number of so-called Republicans used backdoor efforts to file as independents and [they] still call themselves Republican." Mele continued, "On paper that may be true until the next primary, but by then they may switch back. If this is the type of open and honest government that the township is looking for, then God bless Upper Freehold." Mele said it would be interesting to see who is supporting "this attack on the Republican Party." "I remember a statement being made by Mr. Fleischacker at the [January 2007] reorganization meeting that 'it is time to bring the community together,' " Mele said. "Well, this is one very interesting way to do so." Earlier this year, Deputy Mayor William Miscoski commented on the status of the township's Republican Party. He alleged that the organization's members are "at one another's throats." He said some politicians have even gone back and forth between the Democratic and Republican parties, such as current Township Committeeman Robert Faber, who ran as a Democrat for Township Committee in 2004 before being elected as a Republican in 2006. When asked why he felt the situation with Fleischacker, who changed his affiliation to independent to run in the November general election, is different, Miscoski said that he will support "the true Republicans" - Fleischacker and Moslowski - in November. Miscoski alleged that the people supporting Mount are those who supported then-Democrat Faber and Chris Berzinski in the 2004 race against him and Fleischacker. According to Miscoski, Democrats such as Marc Covitz and Berzinski and his wife, Sue Kozel, a longtime nemesis of Miscoski's, had signs for Mount and Mele on their lawns during the primary. "So you tell me," Miscoski said. "Who are the real Republicans in this town?" He continued, "In 2004 they refused to put my signs on their lawns yet supported two Democrats. Have we all forgotten that? I know I haven't." When the Monmouth County Republican Committee was asked about the Upper Freehold situation, party spokesman John Raue said, "The Monmouth County Republican Committee always supports our local Republican candidates and local elected officials in all of Monmouth County's 53 municipalities." Committeeman Stephen Alexander said he supports Republican candidates who went through the primary election and won. He encouraged all registered voters to support the Republican candidates. Faber said he would support the Republican ticket. Committeeman David Reed said he felt that voting was a private matter and would therefore not comment on which candidates he plans to support.