Independents win again in Helmetta
Asciolla, Janeczek, Caputo beat out Dems for three council seats
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Vincent Asciolla

HELMETTA - A team of three independent candidates swept in Tuesday's election, giving the independents five of the six seats on the Borough Council.

Incumbent Vincent Asciolla and newcomber Robert Janeczek won the two available three-year terms, while John Caputo was elected to serve the remaining year of an unexpired term that he was appointed to earlier this year.

"I am very happy the residents of Helmetta have seen the positive changes the Independent Party has been making in Helmetta," said Mayor Nancy Martin, who helped to begin the Independent Party prior to her election three years ago.

"Vincent, Robert and John have been very actively involved in the borough and have their hearts and souls in the town. They des-erved to win, and again, I am thankful the residents of Hel-metta have been seeing our prog-ress. We have a lot to look forward to," Martin said.

Asciolla received the highest number of votes, at 460. Janeczek and Caputo were close behind with 437 and 431 votes, respectively.

Robert Janeczek

Barbara Raczynski, a Democrat seeking a three-year term, garnered 260 votes. Democrat Gerald Everest, who ran against Caputo, received 228.

The totals do not include absentee and provisional ballots. Some 714 voters participated in Tuesday's election, representing 53 percent of the borough's registered voters.

"They must be doing something that the people like, because the votes tell a story," Raczynski said. "It would have been an honor to serve the people of Helmetta, and I think the people who were voted for should be honored to be where they are."

Even though she was defeated, Raczynski, who for many years served as Helmetta's Board of Education president, said she told the candidates she would be happy to help them if they ever needed it. She said she is unsure at this point whether she will run in the future.

Asciolla said he feels the voters chose him because of the positive progress they have observed in the town. He said now that he has been re-elected, his goal is to keep going with the same practices and objectives.

John Caputo

Janeczek, who ran unsuccessfully for a council seat last year, is excited to work with the governing body.

"I'm very eager to continue the positive progress with the redevelopment of the mill site, recreation and working with the council and mayor," said Janeczek. "I want to thank the Helmetta residents for giving me a chance and for electing me."

Come Jan. 1, the council will consist of independents Asciolla, Janeczek, Caputo, Peter Karczewski and Sewell Peckham, along with Democrat Andrew Tancredi.

Janeczek will take the place of longtime Councilman Thomas Reid, who served as a Democrat and Republican, was last elected as an Independent but later switched back to Democrat. Reid did not seek re-election this year.