Michael Kafton

The two possible ’09 gubernatorial candidates were on the campaign trail yesterday, both attending the swearing in of the recently elected members of the Jackson Township Council.  Governor Jon Corzine administered the oath of office to Michael Kafton, and U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie swore in Michael Reina.  While Jackson holds non-partisan elections, Kafton is a Democrat and Reina is a Republican.

Roberta "Bobbie" Rivere wins in Jackson 

JACKSON - Former Mayor Michael Kafton and his team beat incumbent Councilwoman Emily Ingram and her team by a margin of 2-1.

"When Democrats aren't afraid to run on the real issues in their community, even in the counties we think of as Republican, we can win," said Pat Politano, who ran the Kafton campaign.

Mike Reina (an independent Republican running with two Democrats) was the highest vote-getter, receiving 4,028 or 22.39% of the votes, followed by Bobbie Rivere, who won 3,945 or 21.93% of the votes, and Kafton: 3,826 or 21.27%.

The losers - Charles Garafano, Todd Porter and Councilwoman Emily Ingram - received 2,186, 2,021 and 1,947 respectively.

Jackson Councilwoman Emily Ingram is seeking re-election to a second term
JACKSON - Although her running mates from two years ago won’t be joining her in a re-election bid, Councilwoman Emily Ingram said she feels no less committed to building on her freshman term in office.

A certified public accountant and Brooklyn native who moved here with her husband and children six years ago, the only incumbent on the May 13th ballot welcomes a debate with former committeeman Michael Kafton on the fiscal foibles of Jackson Township.

Jackson Mayor Mark SedaJACKSON - Former committeeman Michael Kafton went to the microphone at the head of the room in Town Hall on Tuesday and pointed out the camera standing on a tripod in the corner, unmanned, tilted slightly downward and dark amid a jumble of cords.

"That equipment was given to us by Cablevision," Kafton told the governing body. "When I was up there, the meetings were filmed. You haven’t filmed a single meeting."Council candidate Michael Kafton

"We don’t have that gentleman you used to pay $60,000 to do that," shot back Councilman Angelo Stallone. "Didn’t you pay him $60,000 to film the meetings? We don’t have that gentleman."

"I didn’t pay him $60,000 to film the meetings," said Kafton.

"$65,000," put in Jackson Mayor Mark Seda from his seat on the far end of the dais, and Stallone led the hearty chorus of laughter from the council.