'07 will see contests for mayor, council
Pucci will defend seat against GOP club president Nothstein
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Richard Pucci

MONROE - After a year off from local elections in 2006, the township will see a contest this November for the mayor's seat and the Township Council's two at-large terms.

The Democrats are running all three incumbents, while Republicans are looking to change the status quo.

"It's time for a change in this town," said Republican Committee Chairwoman Sidna Mitchell. "The Democratic Party has been in control of Monroe for two decades. People are tired of politics as usual, and this Republican ticket is willing to work hard to give the township residents a real voice in their government."

No Republican has held office in Monroe since 1988.

Tom Nothstein, president of the township's Republican Club, will run against Mayor Richard Pucci, who has served five four-year terms as mayor.

Nothstein, a Middlesex County Repub-lican committeeman, criticized Pucci in the past for his work as a paid consultant for a political action committee (PAC).

"When I heard U.S. Attorney General Chris Christie talk about corruption in New Jersey and how we needed to get involved at the grassroots level, I felt I had to step forward and run for mayor," Nothstein said.

Tom Nothstein

A Monroe resident since 1985, Nothstein has voiced a need for more open, transparent government workings in the town. He has also been a vocal opponent of the plan for the land swap that would allow for the new high school to be built in Thompson Park.

Pucci ended his involvement with the PAC last year in the wake of media reports connecting the PAC to a local developer, but vowed his private work had no bearing on any of his decisions involving the township.

Pucci also formed an ethics committee to make recommendations for township officials, and as a result of that committee's work, the Township Council recently adopted seven new ordinances addressing ethical standards for issues like pay-to-play, disclosure and recusal.

Looking back on his 20 years in office, Pucci said he has seen the community move from its infancy into adulthood. At this stage in the town's growth, Pucci said, it is important to have someone with the necessary experience and know-how serving as mayor.

In his work with county and state government, as well as with the school and fire districts, Pucci said he has been able to communicate well and get things done.

The record of current officials speaks for itself, and their success has had nothing to do with party politics, he said.

"We've had a team that has worked well together," Pucci said. "I don't think we would have accomplished the record we have here without a close-knit team. I think I could offer the best alternative for the next four years. I'm still enthused, and I want to get the job done."

Carlos Lopez, who was unsuccessful in his run for a ward council seat against Democrat Joanne Connolly in 2005, will run for one of the council slots this year. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Lopez is also a Middlesex County Republican committeeman, as well as vice president of the township's Republican Club. Like Nothstein, he said he is a proponent of open government.

Karen Scarpa, the other Republican vying for a council post, is a member of the Monroe Township Republican Club, and has lived in town for over 25 years. In 2006, she was named businesswoman of the year for the state of New Jersey by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"To work in a pro-active manner and not in a reactive one is my goal for the government of our town," Scarpa said.

In September, lifelong Monroe resident Leslie Koppel-Egierd was chosen to fill the unexpired term of long-time councilman John Riggs, who resigned to take on the job of township environmental protection manager. Egierd is now vying to secure a full term on the council.

Egierd has been president of the Barclay Brook/Brookside PTA since 2005, and was a founding member of Kids 1st, an organization that works to improve educational opportunities for children in Monroe.

She is a member of the township's Democratic Club, and has spoken out about the importance of keeping the district's schools up to high standards, as well as preserving the town's open space.

"I love living in Monroe Township," Egierd said. "Three generations of my family live here, and I want to keep it a great place to live."

Irwin Nalitt, a 20-year veteran of the council, is running to hang onto his long-time post. A Monroe resident since 1982, Nalitt serves on the township's library Board of Trustees.

He also serves as the council liaison to the township's office on aging.

Michele M. Arminio, a resident who is active at Township Council meetings, has also filed to run as a Democrat for Township Council, meaning there will be a contested primary election for the Democratic ticket in June.

The mayor and council seats are all four-year terms.