Week in Review: Primary Election, Olympic Trials, Relay For Life

It was a fairly quiet primary night in Union County on Tuesday, June 5, but there are some results to report. 

Berkeley Heights

Craig S. Pastore, a Republican and the current Berkeley Heights Town Council Vice President who is running for his second term on council, received 566 votes, or 49.65 percent of the vote. Council President Kevin Hall, also a Republican, is running for his second term on council and received 570 votes, or 50 percent of the vote. Democrat Michael Simon, who is seeking his first term on Council, received 167 votes, or 88.36 percent of the total vote. He is a former Assistant US Attorney with the Department of Homeland Security, who is now in private practice.  There were also 22 “personal choice” votes, or 11.64 percent of the vote. 

Mountainside

William R. Lane, a resident of Mountainside since 1995 and a councilman for eleven years, received 351 votes, or 50.87 percent of the vote. Robert W. Messler, who has lived in Mountainside since 1970 and has served as a councilman for eight years, received 339 votes, or 49.13 percent of the vote.

New Providence

Alan G. Lesnewich, who is seeking reelection for the unexpired term he has filled since January of 2011, received 486 votes. Gary Kapner, who took over the reins of the family business ) along with his wife, Rachel, fifteen years ago and has become very visible within the work streams that are guiding the business and economic growth of New Providence, received 469 votes. 

About 1,100 participants across more than 110 teams participated in Relay for Life of Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, New Providence and Summit on June 2 and 3, raising about $387,000 by the end of the event. Since then, the total raised is now $390,000. Deirdre McGuinness, Senior Director of Special Events for the American Cancer Society, said, “we are so proud of what this community has done. Our dollars have already increased and people are still donating to the event via our website.” The participants included 90 cancer survivors. The top three teams included: Heights For Hope – Nina’s Team, which raised $57,000; Forget-Me-Nots, which raised $20,121; and Pink Ladies, which raised $19,029. Seventeen individuals raised more than $2,500. Together, they accounted for $96,579 of the total raised at the event. The youth at the event numbered well over 800 of the participants, bringing in more than $182,000. The top youth team, N’ Sync, is just shy of $10,000 and hopes to reach that mark by August. Last but not least, 50 students, who are a part of the New Providence Middle School Peer Leaders group, brought in more than $17,000. You can still donate to relay for life by visitingwww.relayforlife.org/berkeleyheightsNJ

The New Providence Republican Committee hosted a "Meet & Greet Dessert Reception" Thursday night to support the campaigns of Alan Lesnewich and Gary Kapner, both of whom are running for New Providence Borough Council. Dozens of residents came out in support, including Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick. 

The New Providence Business Community is proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Business Community scholarships. , who have an interest in business and show entrepreneurial spirit. Both students were selected by the New Providence High School. Gabriel will be attending Brown University and studying Computer Science this fall, while Kelly will be attending Rider University and is interested in eventually studying Marine Biology. “We are very pleased to present these scholarships to Gabriel and Kelly. They are both very deserving students,” said Michelle Brugger, New Providence Business Community spokeswoman. “We are always looking for ways to give back to the community, and these scholarships are a great way for us to say thank you to the families and kids who support us.” 

In Municipal Court news, .  The defendants were from Hillside and West Orange.  Each of the cases resulted in a conditional discharge.  The Court imposed, upon each, a one-year term of probation, plus $800 in fines and costs.  

 for accumulating the most points during the 2011 Troop season at Watchung Stable in Mountainside. Courtney, who has been riding for four years, received her trophy from stable manager Rachel Bechtold during Watchung Stable’s 79thAnnual Spring Troop Horse Show during the Memorial Day weekend.