Grbelja, Dorfman prevail

Millstone voters decided in the June 2 Republican primary that change is not needed right now.

Although Scott DeMonte and Michael Campion had campaigned on the slogan that this is the time for change, incumbent Nancy Grbelja and her running mate, Gary Dorfman, soundly defeated them. Grbelja, running for her third term on the Township Committee, received 946 votes and newcomer Dorfman received 915. Campion received 698 votes, and DeMonte 668. DeMonte and Campion did carry District 2, where the Indian Point development is located. Much of the race centered on where the bulk of the township's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligation would be located. A 33-acre parcel near the Indian Point development, where DeMonte lives, was slated for 85 COAH units.

There were no Democratic contenders on the ballot, but both DeMonte and Campion received five write-in votes as Democrats. However, state law prohibits "a second bite at the apple," Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French said, and does not permit losing primary candidates to run as independents in the general election. French said she received legal advice that losing candidates may not run in circumstances such as have occurred in Millstone.

Pat Butch and Michael Novellino submitted petitions to the county Board of Elections to run as independent Republicans in the November election but have withdrawn their candidacies because they are supporters of Grbelja and Dorfman.

In a letter, they state that given the traditionally low voter turnout in primaries, they were concerned "that the sheer volume of misinformation and campaign propaganda thrust upon residents by our opponents could mislead a sufficient number of voters into making a voting decision they would regret in November. Recognizing that our opponents' alternatives to the current COAH plan could undo much of the hard work that our friends and supporters have performed over the last six year to preserve open space, protect the environment and maintain our quality of life, we felt we needed to act quickly and submitted our petitions."

Grbelja said it was a very hard, rough campaign. "I'm very happy the residents saw through the barrage of misinformation distributed," she said. "I'm very humbled that so many residents turned out to show support for Gary and myself. We are truly interested in doing what is best for all of the residents."

Dorfman said, "We clearly stated our goals are to keep Millstone rural, control taxes and protect our environment and watersheds. The voters choosing Mayor Grbelja and me demonstrates the confidence the voters have in our ability to enact the best public policies to achieve those goals — goals which serve the interests of the entire community."

He added after voters "examined the facts on the issues and the actions of the candidates and their supporters, it became clear Mayor Grbelja and I were focused on what is best for Millstone as a whole."

Dorfman said he will always use his best judgment on behalf of the citizens to do what is right for all of Millstone and to do so with respect and consideration for every individual.

Campion congratulated Grbelja and Dorfman on their win. He said he and De- Monte did very well against a political machine.

"I wish we had a little more time — we were gaining on 'em," he said.

When asked if he would continue to be involved in politics, Campion responded, "I've been involved in politics my entire adult life. I'm 66 — too late to change now."

DeMonte said that it was great to have what was probably the largest voter turnout for a primary election in Millstone history.

"Our campaign found that 42 percent of the voters wanted to be heard in Millstone," DeMonte said, "and they didn't buy into the fantasy red map that our campaign strongly advised was not possible, and was never proposed or supported by our side in any private or public forum."

DeMonte said those who voted for him did understand that real and documented opposition came from the Stony Brook- Millstone Watershed Commission and a testimonial of a New Jersey professional engineer that a packaged treatment sewer system in Millstone Township poses harm to all township residents' potable wells, as well as to the rivers, streams, aquifers and topical land areas.

"We all recognize that affordable housing will come to Millstone Township in some way, shape or form," he said.

In DeMonte's view, the Millstone plan submitted to COAH has the earmarks of destroying the master plan by allowing packaged treatment sewer systems. He said he will continue to remind township officials that submission of Millstone's COAH plan is wrong and needs to be revised.

"My history of supporting worthy issues in town will continue, and I am presently reviewing my options for the future as to where I can best use my skills in assisting the township," he said.

At the June 3 Township Committee meeting, Brian Lourenco, who managed DeMonte and Campion's campaign and posted two videos on YouTube highly critical of Grbelja, congratulated her and Dorfman on their win. He noted that 1,600 people turned out for the election.

"Whatever their motivation, people do care," he said, adding that he hoped a mending process can start. "In the end, a divided community will not benefit anybody," he said.

Lourenco said that he would support the mayor and committee because democracy means the majority rule.