Republicans take Ewing

Ball wins mayor's post as citizens vote with wallets

Wednesday, November 08, 2006
BY LISA CORYELL

EWING -- Republican Jack Ball yesterday emerged victorious in a bitter race for township mayor, parlaying an antitax backlash into the GOP's first local victory in
three years.

Ball's running mate Donald Cox won a seat on the township council, while Democrat Kathleen Wol lert was the only incumbent to hold onto her council seat,
according to unofficial results.

Ball, the last Republican to hold elective office in Ewing, was elated at his victory over Democrat Bert Steinmann.

"I am the new mayor," crowed Ball. "I am so happy."

Ball defeated Steinmann by nearly 400 votes, according to unofficial results.

Republican Faye Ball, Democrat Donald Apai and Independent Ron Ungarini trailed in the ballot ing.

The victory allows the Republicans to make inroads on the five- member council but the Democrats apparently will emerge with a 4-1 majority.

During a nasty political race, Ball led Republicans in a campaign to portray Democrats as fiscally irresponsible and arrogantly out of touch with voters.

They never lost a chance to re mind voters of the surprise 40 percent spike in property taxes that arrived in the February tax bills. They also cited an overall 25
percent increase in municipal taxes this year and criticized Democrats for entering Ewing in New Jersey's distressed cities program.

Yesterday, most voters expressed concerns over the tax increases. And while many in this solidly Democratic town held no grudges against the party that has
controlled town hall for the past 11 years, others did.

"I wanted a change," said one voter who did not want his name revealed. "The Democrats are mak ing too many decisions for the last few years. They've stuffed
town hall with their cronies, it's ridiculous."

He said Ball was the perfect man for the job.

"I like Steinmann, but I'm afraid things will be the same old thing with him in office. I think Ball will be someone new who can take a new look at things."

The local Republican slate got a helping hand from state and national GOP groups who joined the get-out-the-vote effort, said Cathy Tramontana, Mercer County
Republican Party chairwoman.

"They worked very hard over the weekend," dropping off campaign literature and making phone calls, she said.

Tramontana expressed hope that Republicans across the county would build on the strength of the campaign in the township.

"Ewing is our steppingstone," Tramontana said.

Republican council candidate Faye Ball said that turnout in the township appeared to be heavy early in the day.

"We're hoping that it's a good sign for the Republicans," she said.

Even a last-minute boost from Gov. Jon Corzine could not help the Democrats' cause yesterday.

Corzine and other high-ranking Democrats joined the local candi dates for about an hour as they visited homes near The College of New Jersey.

Mercer County Democratic Chairman Rich McClellan called the Ewing race "key" for his party.

"Democrats have already taken most of the mayoral offices around the county," McClellan said. "Ewing is crucial for the county executive race next year. Ewing is
crucial for the governor." Republicans have not controlled local government since 1995, when the Democrats swept into office.

Over the years the GOP presence on the council has dwindled, with Ball holding the last seat -- a one-year term that expired in 2004.