Day at the Polls: Upper Moreland 2011 General Elections

According to judges of election in Wards 2, 4 and 6, today’s off-presidential year elections have brought an above-average number of voters. At each polling place, patch also interviewed Ward commissioners and school board candidates, asking them their views on their campaigns.

---

Ward 2

According to judges of election Ann Hurley (Ward 2-1) and Ken Weigert (Ward 2-2), by 4:30 p.m.: 321 voters.

“It’s been hard the last few years,” Ann Hurley said of past election turnout. “We feel we should have more in this ward.”

She said that there was  a steady stream of voters all day, but in past years, mostly due to weather, Ward 2 voters didn’t come out, but was not the case today.

Hurley added that another factor to a lower voter turnout in Ward 2, as compared to other wards, is the existence of several apartment complexes, and ineligible voters.

Catching up with Ward 2 commissioner candidates, Shone Fix and Kevin Spearing and school board candidate Roger Wolfman each said they were pleased with the voter turnout.

“It’s a beautiful day for an election,” Wolfman said.

The candidates paused to reflect on their respective campaigns.

According to Wolfman, the school board campaign was not a contentious one.

For the Spearing and Fix race, each candidate also agreed that they both focused on issues of their ward, as opposed to each other.

“I have nothing negative to say about Mr. Fix,” Spearing said. “I took a more focused approach with things like storm water management and traffic.”

Fix, who experienced his first political campaign, also didn’t mind the 13-hours of greeting voters.

“I feel pretty good,” Fix said. “I thought it was cool, and learned a lot about myself.”

---

Ward 6

According to judges of election John Mutonis (Ward 6-1) and Charles Cerino (Ward 6-2), by 5:14 p.m.: 669 voters.

Mutonis said that having the high school building as the polling site for both Ward 6-1 and 6-2 helped.

“I think we’re a little higher compared to the pervious years,” Cerino said. “But, I wish that more people come out and vote. It’s democracy at work.”

At this time in Ward 6, school board candidates Stephen Hetcht and Lisa Berlin greeted voters at the door.

According to Berlin, she would like to see the entire school board elections revised, starting with the primaries.

“I’m not a political person,” Berlin said. “I think every school board candidate should be at large in the primaries.”

She said that the school board elections at the primaries are unfair to independents who cannot vote for a candidate, and limits the voters of certain political persuasions.

According to Hetcht, elections in Upper Moreland, particularly in Ward 6, may prove to be a ticket splitting ward with voters.  

Ward 6 commissioners Susan Worth-LaManna and Sam Valenza were also on hand to greet voters, each getting there at 6:30 a.m. today.

In between shaking many voters hands, Valenza reflected on his second political campaign.

“I’ve had a lot of people coming over and thanking me for the communication,” Valenza said. “It’s gratifying when people appreciate your efforts.”

According to Worth-LaManna, her first political campaign was an educational experience.

“It’s been a political education,” Worth-LaManna said. “I see things more clearly through the experience, and it’s helped my vision for the township.”

---

Ward 4

According to judges of election at 4-1 and 4-2, by 6:15 p.m.: 594 voters.

Ward 4-1 judge of election Benet Donnelly said that the Ward 4-1 voter turnout seemed only to be just above average.

According to Ward 4 candidate, Joe Lavalle, who greeted voters at First Presbyterian Church (Ward 4-2), he said that he was proud of the campaign that he ran.  He added that this election was different than his first, as he became more involved with township issues as a commissioner. 

“I received a lot of support,” Lavalle said. “I ran to continue to make Upper Moreland a better place to live.

Also at 4-1, school board candidate Mark Wenik agreed with Berlin that school board elections shouldn’t be politicized.

“Ultimately, education isn’t based on whether or not the student is Republican and Democrat,” Wenik said. “It doesn’t do anything for the education.”

Dan Denslow, who is also the Democratic Committee Leader of Ward 4, greeted voters at 4-1, at the township building. He said that he was also proud of the campaign he ran, focusing solely on the issues. He added that he was encouraged by the number of new voters.

“I I know that a lot of residents came out to vote, especially the first time voters,” Denslow said. “And, now there is a Democratic presence in Ward 4 that wasn’t there.”

---

For election results, .