Minniti, Young Re-Elected to Committee

and will retain their seats on as the Republican incumbents prevailed Tuesday evening.

According to unofficial results, Minniti (2,163) and Young (2,082) beat their Independent running mates, (1,517), (1347) and (767), to keep the all-Republican committee intact.

These numbers reflect vote-by-mail ballots, but not yet provisional ballots.

Minniti and Young won District 1 in East Riverton, a feat never before accomplished by Republicans in recent years, said Minniti.

Both winners said their goals are to continue what they’ve been doing while on township committee.

“In 2002, the township was faced with community-changing challenges—redevelopment of Route 130, open space, low-income housing,” said Minniti, from  where the duo gathered with supporters. “Most of those issues have been addressed. Now, we are going to work to maintain our services with this 2 percent cap. There is no room for error.”

Young, who serves as the director of public works, said some of his goals are to address the flooding concerns in East Riverton and to work with Minniti, the director of economic development, to fill vacant buildings around town.

“We’ve been working on new ideas all year,” Young said. “Problem is, we don’t have any extra money. I work with Fred (Turek, superintendent of public works) constantly on things. It’s not about a big homerun. It’s a lot of singles.”

The township committee race saw a lot of interest this season as Steve Fowles, the former acting police chief whose earlier this year forced him into early retirement, with Ken Gertie.

The two made a strong showing in the race under the party platform of Cinndependence. After election results came in Tuesday night, Fowles said he just wants what is right for Cinnaminson.

“We tried our best and hopefully gave the incumbents a lot to think about—how they can do things better,” Fowles said in a text message. “We always want what’s best for Cinnaminson.”

Lunn, who waited for election results at the township building, said his loss doesn’t take away from his .

“I’ll continue serving residents and continue to serve the community the best way I know how—100 percent,” Lunn said. “I made a small positive difference and I look for positive change—accountability, civility, and checks and balances are very important.”

One campaign issue of the Independents was giving residents a voice—something they felt had been missing with the current committee. Both Minniti and Young said they took offense to that since township committee meetings—which are open to the public—are rarely attended.

“People talk so much about their voices being heard and issues being unaddressed,” Minniti said. “We are here…and by law, people have a right to get up and ask questions and debate issues. That’s what we encourage everyone to do.”

Some Cinnaminson election officials—at and —said their districts had a higher turnout than in recent years. Bob and Carole Kayros, 35-year-residents, voted at the for Minniti and Young.

"Republicans to a large degree ... they have been doing a good job here for years," said Bob Kayros. "And, with the state of things nationally," he said he wants more Republicans in office because "of our foreign policy and social policies."

Charles Miller, who's lived in Cinnaminson for over 50 years, is a conservative who voted for Minniti and Young. He said he usually votes for his Republican party. 

He also put it simply, saying, "If you don't vote, then you shouldn't complain."

Additional reporting by Catherine Laughlin