Fantasia, Hertzberg win Freeholder nods

NEWTON — There will be a big change on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders this year as both incumbents lost their Republican primary battles.
Franklin Borough Council President Dawn Fantasia and Sparta Mayor Joshua L. Hertzberg won the Republican nomination for two three year terms. Fantasia received the most votes with 6,511 and Hertzberg finished second with 5,957. Carl F. Lazzaro registered 3,911 and Jonathan M. Rose totaled 3,855 votes.
There were no Democrats in the primary so unless and independent or write-in candidate comes forward, they will run unopposed in November.
On the municipal level, there were several contested races, which could go a long way to deciding who wins in November.
In Franklin, Gilbert Snyder, the only incumbent on the ballot won the Republican nomination for one of two available seats on the council with 322 votes. Stephan Zydon Jr. won the second seat with 253 votes. They will run unopposed unless an independent candidate comes forward in November.
Hamburg was good to its incumbent councilmen as both Mark S. Sena and Ronald W. Garrett won their primaries for the Republican nomination with 150 and 133 votes respectively. Joyce M. Oehler only managed 82 votes.
Incument Paul Marino ran unopposed for Hamburg mayor.
While there were no contested primaries in Hardyston, Republican incumbent Carl B. Miller will face Democratic challenger Michele Van Allen in November.
There was one seat on the Lafayette Township Committee. Kevin K. O'Leary took the Republican nomination with 196 votes over incumbent John D'Agneli. There was no Democratic primary.
George Hutnick ran unopposed for the Republican nomination for Ogdensburg mayor as current Mayor Rachel Slater is not seeking re-election. There were two seats available on the Ogdensburg Common Council, but only incumbent councilman David A. Astor sought a Republican nomination. No petition was filed for the second seat.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6.