South River election ends in dead heat
One seat goes to GOP; other to be decided by provisional ballots
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

John Trzeciak

Republicans rejoiced this week as they gained at least one seat on the South River Borough Council and a chance at control of the governing body.

The other council seat up for grabs Tuesday remains in a dead heat.

Republican John Trzeciak won his first council seat, with 1,752 votes, while longtime Democratic Councilman Richard Reichenbach lost, with 1,565.

The tie is between Republican Michael Trenga and Democratic incumbent Anthony Razzano, at 1,594 votes each with 12 provisional ballots to be counted in the coming days. Borough Clerk Albert Seaman said those ballots should be tallied by early next week.

Seaman said this is the first time he has seen election results come in at a tie in his 33 years with the borough.

Just 45 percent of the borough's 7,147 registered voters cast ballots Tuesday.

If Trenga is victorious, the Republicans will have a 4-2 majority on the council. If Razzano wins, it will be 3-3, with Democratic Mayor Robert Szegeti able to cast tie-breaking votes.

Michael Trenga

A packed room at the Democratic headquarters in the American Legion building, Whitehead Avenue, expressed surprise Tuesday night as they learned the results.

Reichenbach spoke before his supporters after the totals were announced.

"They have a saying," Reichenbach said, "and this is three years in a row that [South River Democrats] have lost a seat: When you win, you win, and when you lose, you win."

The Republicans have made many promises, Reichenbach said, adding that residents will see if they hold to them.

"I hope that some of the projects that we started will be completed," he said.

Reichenbach told the Sentinel that he will leave it up to the Democrats' campaign committee to decide whether he will run again in 2007.

Razzano, who was appointed to a vacant seat on the council earlier this year, thanked his fellow Democrats at the American Legion, including the mayor and Borough Council, for their support. He directed words of appreciation and admiration to Reichenbach that were soon followed by applause from those present.

Anthony Razzano

"You deserve to be on the council," Razzano said. "I could not have had a better mentor on the campaign trail than Richard Reichenbach, a fine councilman and a fine human being."

Reichenbach's presence on the dais will be missed come January, Szegeti told the Sentinel.

"I am disappointed," Szegeti said. "It will be a challenge for us to continue and for the Republicans to keep the promises they made."

"We are patiently waiting to hear back from the board of elections," Szegeti said with regard to the tied vote. He said the final results should be known in the next few days.

If the total after provisional ballots remains a tie, Szegeti said that a run-off election would likely take place.

Republicans at the Belarusian American Center next door to Democratic headquarters celebrated the news that Trzeciak was the top vote-getter.

GOP Councilman John Krenzel did not know the cost of Trenga and Trzeciak's campaign. He did note the difference in spending between the two parties during last year's election, when he won re-election and Raymond Eppinger received his first term.

"We spent $4,700 all year last year on the campaign, while the Democrats spent $47,000. That is 10 times what we spent, but that is what they normally do. That is how it works with the Democratic Party in Middlesex County," Krenzel said.

Trzeciak was pleased with the outcome, telling the Sentinel that he attests the Republicans' success in the election to their grassroots effort.

"We worked very hard on the campaign trail, speaking to different people," Trzeciak said. "The Republicans have built this from the ground up. We had been dormant for many years and it is great to be a part of an organization that is growing."

The issues he looks forward to working on when he joins the council in January are redevelopment, taxes and utilities, he said.

"That is what we ran on," Trzeciak said, "and I look forward to working as a bipartisan member of the council for the benefit of the community."

The trend over the past few years has worked in the Republicans' favor, Eppinger said, adding that it is going to be an interesting year for the governing body in 2007.

"We are pleased with the results," Eppinger said Tuesday. "Voters got the message, and I look forward to working with John Trzeciak, whom I have known for many years."

Krenzel said that he also looks forward to Trzeciak joining the council in January.

"We are looking forward to working with the Democrats and we look forward to having a greater say in the governing of South River."

The voters of South River sent the Republicans a positive message with this election, Trenga said, adding that he is proud of Trzeciak for his victory.

"I think that the people have spoken, as my running mate beat a longtime incumbent. I am confident that I am going to come out victorious," Trenga said. "Whether I win or lose, this is a victory for us. I do not think that the Democrats expected to lose any seats."