BELLEVILLE/NUTLEY —
Incumbents seeking re-election to non-partisan municipal governing bodies in the two Essex County communities covered by The Observer will be facing opposition.
Elections in both communities will be held May 10.
In Belleville, there will be contested races in all four wards.
First Ward Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke, who is completing her third 4-year term, will be facing off against challenger Mary A. Higgins. Strumolo Burke is running on the slogan “Actions Speak Louder Than Words” and Higgins, on “Reform Belleville.”
In the Second Ward, incumbent Councilman Steven J. Rovell (“Serving the Community Protecting the Community”), also finishing his third term, will be opposed by Gary Hinton (“Enough is Enough Stop Wasteful Spending”), Jeffrey A. Mattingly (“Reform Belleville”) and Carol Politz (no slogan listed).
The Third Ward features a battle between incumbent Councilman Vincent Cozzarelli (“A New Vision for Belleville”), completing his first full term, and William Escott (“Experienced Leadership”), who has served previously as mayor, councilman and school security director.
And in the Fourth Ward, incumbent Councilman John J. Notari (“Your Concerns Are My Concerns”), who has served on the council since 2004, is opposed by Diana Guardabasco (“Together for a Better Belleville”).
In Nutley, all five seats on the Township Commission are up for grabs.
Incumbents Mayor Alphonse Petracco (public safety), Steven L. Rogers (public affairs), Thomas J. Evans (finance), Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli (public works) and Mauro J. Tucci (parks & recreation) have all filed nominating petitions to run, as have challengers Frank Contella, Sanford D. Fleitell and John V. Kelly III.
