Jerry Ryan, Nancy Adams and Greg Lembrich enjoy a moment of levity with Kurt Kiley at the Maplewood Senior Share forum
It’s been a few years since Maplewood has had a contested Democratic primary. And since the town votes overwhelmingly Democratic (there hasn’t been a Republican on the Township Committee, well, since the last millennium), the Democratic primary is the race to watch.
This June 2, two candidates endorsed by the Maplewood Democratic Committee are vying with one challenger for just two spots on the TC. Incumbent Jerry Ryan and Planning Board member Nancy Adams are the MDC-endorsed candidates. Greg Lembrich is the challenger.
A major point of contention in the campaign has been the development of the former Maplewood Post Office site in Maplewood Village and the granting of a 5-year graduated payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to the designated developer.
All three candidates have squared off in two debates. Watch the debate coverage from the May 16 Maplewood Senior Share forum here. View the May 21 Hilton Neighborhood Association forum here.
The candidates each have campaign websites. Visit sites for Nancy Adams, Greg Lembrich and Jerry Ryan by clicking on their names. Voters can also visit the candidates’ Facebook pages at Greg Lembrich, Jerry Ryan and Nancy Adams.
Each candidate has also submitted a statement published here on VillageGreenNJ.com. Here are the first paragraphs of and links to each candidate’s statement:
- Greg Lembrich — My name is Greg Lembrich and, as many of you know, I am running for Maplewood Township Committee. Contrary to popular myth, I am not doing so because of a post office or as the puppet of any town leader past or present. I am running because, as residents who are raising our 4-year old daughter in this community, my wife and I are passionate about preserving Maplewood as a place that all of us can be proud to call our hometown. Doing so will require independent perspective, fresh ideas, and hard work to engage and serve all of our town. I believe that I am the best candidate in this election to move Maplewood forward while preserving the charm and character that gives our town its unique personality. Read more here….
- Jerry Ryan — The best part of being in Maplewood is being a part of the civic life of the community. I have served as a volunteer and as an appointee on public and private civic organizations in this town for most of the time that I have lived here. I’m honored to have been elected six times to serve on the Township Committee. Today I write to ask for your support for re-election, and to ask for your vote in the Democratic Primary on June 2. Read more here….
- Nancy Adams — I love Maplewood. I’ve loved it since the first day I saw it in 1989. I value the neighborhoods, the interesting and diverse housing stock, the cute village perfectly placed in the center of the town, the variety of business districts, the walkability, and especially the people… who are smart, educated, open-minded, accepting and diverse. The diversity is key to our wonderful town and is the reason I’ve made Maplewood my home for almost 26 years and have raised 5 children here. Read more here….
Republican Phyllis Scalera is running unopposed in the Republican primary for Maplewood Township Committee. Find out more about Scalera here.
For those looking for a more humorous take on the race, read Rent Party’s Rock n Roll Q&A with the candidates here.
There are also races for New Jersey General Assembly (27th Legislative District), Essex County Clerk, and Essex County Sheriff. However, none of the candidates in these races are opposed in either the Democratic or Republican primaries.
Poll are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
To find your polling place, visit here.
Finally, after reading all the VillageGreenNJ.com coverage, whom do you plan to vote for? Take our poll:
