Democrats seek candidate for '09 election

The Howell Democrats will be screening candidates as they search for a person to run in a special election to be held in November.

An unexpired term on the Township Council will be on the ballot at that time. The term will be for one year (2010). In November 2010 that council seat will be on the ballot for a regular four-year term.

Democrats have not run any candidates in either of the past two municipal elections in Howell (2006 and 2008).

In the 2006 election for three seats on the council, Howell's Democratic leaders asked party members to support the Independence for Howell team of Robert Walsh, Michael Howell and Angela Dalton, according to an article that was published in Greater Media Newspapers.

Walsh, Howell and Dalton defeated a trio of Republicans in the 2006 municipal election.

In November, Walsh was elected Howell's mayor. A resident was expected to be named to fill the council seat that opened when Walsh was sworn in as mayor. The person appointed to the council position will serve through 2009.

Independent residents who ran for local office without the backing of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party now have total control of Howell's governing body.

That turn of events has Democrats saying they want a voice in Howell's political arena.

In announcing a search for a candidate for this fall's special election, Democratic Municipal Chairman Steve Morlino said, "Many people in town are concerned when any one party has complete control of the town council, which will be the case when the independents appoint someone to fill Mr. Walsh's council seat.

"The Democrats have several people who have already expressed an interest to run in November 2009. The following year, 2010, when three seats are available, it will be much easier to run a team slate of three people and each candidate can cover more territory.

"We will be running a grassroots local election in which personal visits by the candidates to the homes of Howell's residents will be the cornerstone of the campaign. Howell residents like to shake a person's hand and look them in the eye to determine their sincerity. I know from my experience having run for county freeholder and getting over 100,000 votes that the handshake and personal contact is a winner," Morlino said.

Résumés from potential Democratic candidates are being accepted until Jan. 29. Interested persons may forward their résumé to Steve Morlino, 51 Peachstone Road, Howell, NJ 07731 or Steve@Morlino.com.