UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE LOCALSOURCE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 — PAGE 7

Hillside to hold runoff election in DecemberBy Paul Greulich

Staff WriterHILLSIDE — It's one election after another in Hillside,

where candidates are competing in a runoff election sched-uled for Dec. 6 after the general election results were incon-clusive.

An open 3rd Ward seat was filled by Donald DeAugustinedefeating Joseph Puglise, while incumbent Gerald Freedmantook the 4th Ward, defeating Diane Murray. However, wardsI and 2 were more heavily contested, with winners failing tocapture at least 51 percent of the vote.

In Hillside, candidates need to receive at least 51 percentof the vote to be elected as a councilman or mayor.

But a four-way race for the 1 st Ward ended with Hobbs infirst place with 238 votes, followed by Cook with 195. JeffDykes and incumbent Edward Brewer were eliminated,receiving 129 and 162 votes, respectively.

Cook said all the candidates involved in the race probablyknew a runoff was likely.

"We figured it was going to be very hard for any one per-son to get 51 percent with four people," Cook said. "The only

surprise was that the incumbent didn't make the runoff."Cook said he expects the runoff will also be challenging."We expect a close race. Ms Hobbs worked very hard, but

I'm going to do the same thing," Cook said.And in the 2nd Ward, where a separate runoff election is to

be held, Christopher Mobley, Queen Trotman and SaloniaSaxton Thompson faced off on the November ballot.

Trotman and Thompson emerged as the two forerunners.Trotman received 283 votes, followed by Thompson whogarnered 232. Mobley came in third with 226.

Trotman said the big issues in Hillside are "taxes, taxes,and taxes".

Trotman said she differs from her opponent because she isan independent thinker who is willing to work with the peo-ple and the council.

"I'm a down to earth person. I'm a people person. I careabout people and I care about my town. 1 want to be involvedwith the people. The council has to come together. You can-not resolve any issues if you're constantly bickering and argu-ing."

Thompson and Hobbs could not be reached for comment.

This will be the second runoff election in Hillside since2009 when Joe Menza narrowly defeated Councilman JeromeJewel for the mayor's seat.

Menza attributed the large number of candidates in recentyears to a desire on the part of residents to change the town-ship for the better.

"1 think people see the opportunity now for good govern-ment," Menza said. "It's the end of a regime that depressedHillside for 20 years."

Cook said he is not sure what to expect in terms of voterturnout because people may be preoccupied with the holidays.He said he hopes voters grasp the importance of the comingelection.

"Hopefully the voters come out," Cook said. "This is avery important race. It will decide which way the town goesuntil the 2013 election for mayor."

Polls will be open on Dec. 6 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Wards1 and 2. Voting locations are: Calvin Coolidge School,George Washington School, Hillside High School, HurdenLooker School, the William H. Buie Community Center andthe Maple Avenue Auxiliary Fire House.

RAHWAY BRIEFSFlea market and craftsale, Dec. 10

St. Thomas the Apostle Byzan-tine Catholic Church in Rahwaywill be hosting a Flea Market andCraft Sale, to be held on Dec. 10.

The event will be open from 9a.m. to 3 p.m., with vendor accessstarting at 7:30 a.m.. The event willbe held in the large parish centerlocated at 1407 St. Georges Ave.Rahway. This handicap accessiblecenter can accommodate up to 55vendors at each market. Everyattendee will receive a free raffleticket for a drawing of a gift basketat 1 p.m. The kitchen will be openfor both breakfast and lunch. Thechef will cook homemade ethnicspecialties such as stuffed cabbage,kielbasa and kraut subs

Vendors will have unique holi-day gifts, collectibles, toys andhousehold items for sale. Manybring antiques, handbags and jewel-ry and clothing.

For information and a contract tobe a vendor call Andrea at 908-217-6856 or Maryann at 908-518-0107.

Register for winterclasses at Arts Guild

Registration is now open forWinter classes for adults, teens andchildren at Arts Guild New Jersey,formerly The Arts Guild of Rah-way. Winter classes begin the weekof Jan. 14, including several excit-ing new options, in addition tomany familiar classes. Whether stu-

, dents are challenging themselvesby taking their skills to the next

level, or trying a new technique forthe first trine, there is something foreveryone at Arts Guild New Jersey.

In addition to new classes, theArts Guild will be utilizing a newlyrenovated studio classroom spaceon the corner of Esterbrook andMilton Avenues in Rahway.

For complete course descrip-tions and class schedules, accessthe online course catalog atwww.agnj.org or call 732-381-7511to request a printed flyer.

Students 'love towrite' in Rahway

On Nov. 15 students in Pre-Kthrough grade 8 at St. Agnes Schoolin Clark recognized "I Love toWrite Day." On this day, many stu-dents across the country participat-

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cd in various writing activities inorder to promote the importance ofwriting in their daily lives.

The students at St. Agnes wroteabout being thankful for St. AgnesSchool. Each grade used their cre-ative talents to develop this promptin their own way.

Schedule of clubsat Senior Center

The following clubs meet at theRahway Senior Center. Contactclub presidents for information.

• Rahway Retired Men's Club,

Mondays at I p.m. Call GeorgeGeduldig at 732-388-0272,

• Merck Retirees, the first Tues-day of each month at 1 p.m. CallCliff Lenox at 732-572-2251.

• Ladies Golden Age Club,Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. CallDolores Bilodeau at 732-382-3463.

• Retired Railroaders Group 2,the first Saturday of each month at11 a.m. Call Edward Witos at 732-738-7189.

• AARP Chapter 607, the secondThursday of each month at noon.Call Dolores Franklin at 732-499-7986.

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