Platt re-elected mayor
By LEE PROCIDA
Cherry Hill Sun
11/15/2007

Democrats sweep council race; voter turnout at 30 percent

Democrats won positions statewide in last week’s general election, and Cherry Hill was a microcosm of New Jersey’s Democratic preference. Cherry Hill residents re-elected Democrat Mayor Bernie Platt and Council members N. John Amato, Dennis Garbowski and Sara Lipsett, beating out all Republican challengers.

In the mayoral race, Platt received 53.5 percent of the 14,232 votes cast, with Phillip Guerrieri receiving 6,599, or 46.37 percent, according to the clerk’s office.

“In the end, the people of Cherry Hill wanted proven leadership and experience,” Platt said, “and that is why I was re-elected – to guide our great township for another four years.”

Challenger Guerrieri said he would stay involved in the community as he did before he ran for office, but that he was not satisfied with a close finish.

“I always say in a two-party race, there is no worth in coming in second,” he said. “I’ve never been quite satisfied in anything I did to be second.”

Guerrieri said he would have to be approached by those who supported him before he would consider running again, and that first he needs to “take a couple of deep breaths.”

Amato received the most votes in the Council race with 7,614, followed by Lipsett with 7,457, then Garbowski with 7,250.

Nancy Ryan, Joseph Achacoso and Christopher Hammerquist came in fourth, fifth and sixth for town council, with 6,598, 6,277 and 6,016 votes, respectively,

Of Cherry Hill’s approximately 47,398 registered voters, 14,531, or 30.65 percent, went to the polls, according to the municipal clerk’s office. This was above the county’s average turnout, which was 27.36 percent.

“I believe the Election Day numbers represented an historically low voter turnout,” Platt said. “In the past, off-year elections, which are during non-gubernatorial and non-presidential years, have produced abysmal voter turnout.

“Unfortunately, the electorate is less engaged in local campaigns when there is not a contested seat at the top of the ticket.”

“This was the largest disgrace I’ve seen,” Guerrieri said. “I’ve never seen voters so disinterested.

“Republicans are tremendously outnumbered here, so it’s not unusual for us to be outvoted. I would imagine, not knowing the details, that usually with a Democrat incumbency it’s indicative of someone saying they’re so dissatisfied that I’m not going to vote for anyone.

“Could that be a wrong analysis? Yes, but that’s my analysis.”

Platt said he would dedicate his new term to maintaining low taxes, improving the environment and recreational facilities, preserving open space and making sure the police department has what it needs.

“Smart fiscal management is my No. 1 priority,” he said, “and I will be working hard to stretch every penny of taxpayer money.”

Residents in the Sixth Legislative District, which includes Cherry Hill, also aided Democrat John Adler’s re-election to the state Senate by awarding him 61 percent of the vote.

Communities also preferred incumbent Democrats Pamela Lampitt and Louis Greenwald, voting for each at least 5,000 more times than Republicans Jo Ann Gurenlian and Bradley Mattson, and aiding their re-election to the General Assembly.

Democrats resoundingly won the two positions up for election for the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with Edward McDonnel and Carmen Rodriguez winning 28 percent and 27.5 percent of the vote, respectively, beating out Republican rivals Gene Mignogna and Alice Wood by at least 10,000 votes each.