Another Candidate Enters Millburn Committee Election Fray

MILLBURN, NJ — There's another new factor in the increasingly heated November race for two seats on Millburn's Township Committee. After one member of the two-member Republican ticket dropped out recently to fulfill family obligations, the Republicans have nominated a replacement.

Frank Saccomandi will replace Michael Rozansky on the two-member Republican ticket. Two Democrats and two Independents are also in the running in the upcoming Nov. 8 election for two seats.

Some time after the upcoming election, the five-member Township Committee will choose a mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves, to lead in 2023.

According to the Millburn Short Hills Republican Committee, the group met last week to place Saccomandi on the Republican line.

He is running with former school board member Oyin Owolabi for the seats.

The pair will face the two winners of the Democratic primary held in June, Michael H. Cohen and Annette Romano.

They will also face Independents Dianne Eglow and David Morrow.

"In his notice of resignation, Mr. Rozansky said that although the time consuming demands of being a candidate conflicted with his family responsibilities, he intended to stay involved to help ensure that his grandchildren will enjoy the same quality of life in our exceptional community as his children experienced," the Republicans explained.

"Frank Saccomandi is an IT Infrastructure Engineer at a hedge fund in Midtown Manhattan, where he anticipates the technological needs of the business to ensure operational robustness and scalability. A process- driven analytical thinker, Frank works in collaboration with allstakeholders to build consensus that will reach a conclusion with wide acceptance and support."

Saccomandi said, “I made the decision to dive into the issues facing our community after
witnessing first-hand the appalling dysfunction on the Township Committee, which falls
far short of the high standards that Millburn residents deserve. I pledge that I will listen
to all residents and bring back accountability and civility to our local government.”

GOP Chair Mary McNett said, “We are fortunate to have these two very qualified
residents to lead our community. Our candidates are running to tackle local issues with
solutions that reflect our community values, not to fulfill a national agenda. They will
protect our quality of life.”

When asked if she had thoughts about the recent addition of the two Independents to the race, McNett said only, "Just that it should make this an interesting campaign season."

In June, three Democrats faced off to get the Democratic nomination to run for the seats. The winners were Cohen and Romano.

'Democracy Under Threat'

The pair said in a release after the elections, "In a time when democracy is under threat by Trump Republicans, we must redouble our efforts to elect representatives at all levels of government who will fight to strengthen our institutions and protect fundamental rights. Every election matters."

The Independents said they were prompted to run, in part, by the debate over the all-affordable housing project at 9 Main St., part of a settlement to meet the town's longstanding state affordable housing mandate. ('Emergency Meeting' Will Address Millburn Affordable Housing Mandate)

Read about the candidates in the race here, and watch for future coverage on Millburn Patch.