Democrats reappointed to No. Bruns. Council
Robert Corbin and Robert Davis elected to third terms
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
Democratic incumbents Robert Corbin and Robert Davis were reelected to their third terms on the North Brunswick Township Council on Nov. 4.

Corbin, 63, and Davis, 63, defeated Republican candidates Mary Chyb and Rick Criqui by a margin of about 2-1.

"This shows that people appreciate what we do, and what we do as a mayor and council," Davis said.

"This is the third time, and I think every time it gets a little bit sweeter," Corbin said. "The Democratic organization is put together well in this town, and this goes back to all we have done and all we intend to do, and it goes back to our record."

Corbin, an attorney, said the national election led more people to vote and be concerned about the state of the country. He said he feels "this shows the party strength in town, and the feelings of residents that this party is doing what the party should be doing in the best interest of residents."

He said he hopes to pursue more open space, limit development, introduce revenue, pursue the possibility of a transit village and maintain quality services without increasing costs during his upcoming term.

Davis, a small business owner, said he will "continue to represent all people in North Brunswick, no matter what their political persuasions are" over the next three years, and will focus on stabilizing taxes, looking for additional areas of open space and making North Brunswick a place residents want to stay and raise their children.

"We are fortunate our residents are knowledgeable and are very appreciative of what we have done over the last six years," he said. "I think this is due to the confidence in the mayor and council. If we hadn't done the job, there isn't any way, no matter how big the Democratic sweep in the country is, that we would have been re-elected. Our residents are knowledgeable and I think they like the way things are going."

Chyb and Criqui were disappointed, but believe the campaign went well and were pleased that the voter turnout was so high, with about 14,000 of the 20,000 registered voters in town visiting the polls this year, as opposed to about 5,000 people last year and about 7,500 in 2006.

"The story was the top of the ticket, and North Brunswick came out overwhelmingly for Barack Obama," Chyb said. "But even though this is not the result we wanted, it's great we have people in this country who take this very seriously, their right to vote."

"In general, North Brunswick is a strong Democratic town like it's always been," Criqui said. "The percentage of the Republican to Democratic votes has been consistent over the years."

Chyb, a former member of the township Board of Education, said she is "someone who cares for the residents of the township, and I continue to feel we can do better" so she said she plans to stay involved. She suggested that the council focus on the high increase in taxes in recent years and renegotiate the town's water contract.

Criqui, a self-employed remodeling contractor, said he will continue to serve as a Committeeman in his district and will try to volunteer on other township boards and committees.

He said that the town should work to renegotiate contracts, find a balance of ratables and services, and think ahead with decisions to be made in the future that won't be detrimental to residents.

"I want to have a voice in my local government in the community I live," he said.

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Linwood Middle School held a mock election last week in honor of Election Day. Over 1,000 sixth-, seventh- and eighthgrade Social Studies students participated. Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden received 921 votes, or 84 percent of the votes cast. Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin received 153 votes, or 14 percent of the votes cast. There were 18 votes cast for third party candidates, representing 2 percent of the total number of votes.