Stahl will run against Neary in June primary
Outspoken councilman, two running mates will challenge fellow Dems
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer
East Brunswick Councilman David Stahl announced Monday he will challenge Mayor William Neary in the Democratic primary election in June.

This will be the first contested primary for Neary, who was first elected in 1996, and has been reelected twice.

Stahl unveiled his plans during an informal press conference before Monday night's Township Council meeting. He will also run with two candidates for council - Denise Contrino and Wendy Friedman.

Neary said yesterday that he does plan to seek re-election, and that the township's Democratic committee members will decide whether to support him. He said he will run on his record of service over the past 12 years as mayor, and that he looks forward to a good discussion of the issues with Stahl and his team.

"I'm proud of what I have done for 12 years, and will run on my record," he said.

In addition to Neary, council members and fellow Democrats Donald Klemp and Nancy Pinkin are up for re-election this year, but have not publicly announced their candidacy.

Stahl, who has served on the council for six years, still has two years left on his current council term, so if he loses in the election, he would maintain the council seat.

The primary election will be June 3.

Stahl, who has regularly butted heads with Neary on a variety of issues over the past couple years, said he has always felt that township government should have full discussions and debates on issues, but that these have been absent with the current administration and council.

"We need to get regular input and discuss it in full," he said. The township, he added, is "going nowhere fast."

Stahl described his campaign as "pure grassroots," and said that more than 200 volunteer supporters would be meeting this week to discuss the effort. Though they are seeking the Democratic nominations, the trio has no party behind them, Stahl noted.

Stahl said Neary and his running mates will run a campaign that is well funded by the Democratic Party, but that his team will have little funding. They will instead rely on door-to-door campaigning and "personal contact" with residents.

The last mayoral election was in November 2004, when Neary defeated then- Republican Councilwoman Christi Calvano by a vote of 10,543 to 8,746. Klemp won his third term in that election, and Pinkin won her first.

During Monday's press conference, Contrino, who has served as president of the Pine Ridge Neighborhood Association, and as a member of the PTAand the township Zoning Board ofAdjustment, said she feels the township needs a change.

"We're looking for an open and honest government, not one based on secrecy," she said.

Friedman said the township government needs to be more transparent and progressive. She pointed to Route 18 as an illustration of how the current administration has failed, saying it has been unable to bring in and keep businesses there.

Contrino said she believes residents are tired of Neary and the current council, and that this gives her hope that her team can win.

Friedman, who has served as PTA president for the Solomon Schecter Day School of Raritan Valley, said that even though the team faces an uphill battle, the candidates feel they can win with Stahl as their leader.

"He's open and honest. He tells you the good, bad and ugly," she said of Stahl.

Friedman said there are two types of people, "the do-ers and the followers," and she considers her team the former.

When asked why they did not seek to run as Republicans and challenge Neary's team in November, Contrino said the election is more about issues and what can be done for the community. Friedman said they are sending a message of the need for change. Stahl said running as a Republican would be politically expedient, but hypocritical.

Friedman said people are too busy to show up at council meetings, and some prefer to watch on television. Contrino said many people simply don't feel the mayor and council will take them seriously if they go to a meeting

Stahl said being part of the Democratic Party never stopped him of speaking his mind.

"I represent East Brunswick, not the Democrats," he said.

In recent times, Stahl has been at odds with Neary over the handling of the Golden Triangle redevelopment, though he initially supported the township's agreement with Toll Brothers, as well as the construction of a community arts center, and the municipal budget, among other issues.