1 Committeeman Seeks Re-election, 1 Bows Out

Of the two Washington Township Committeemen up for re-election in 2013, just one will be seeking another three-year term.

James LiaBraaten told Patch last week he filed his petition to run for a second term. The deadline to do so is 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1.

David Kennedy, on the other hand, has decided not to run for a second term.

Kennedy, the top vote getter in November 2010, said his occupational commitments are preventing him from “having the time to properly invest with all the responsibilities of being a Committeeman,” he said. “I do not believe I can complete another term without having the proper time and effort needed to represent the residents properly.”

A seat on the township’s governing body was Kennedy’s first foray into elected office. He ousted incumbent Howard Popper in the June 2010 Primary Election, and he and LiaBraaten secured the two open seats in the November election despite being opposed by Democratic challenger Rich Welch.

“Many hours are required to attend workshop meetings, regular Committee meetings, meetings with groups assigned to each of us as liaisons not to mention issues that arise regarding budgets and projects in town,” Kennedy said. “I believe I have tried to represent [all residents] through fiscal responsibility and common sense. The township has much to consider in the future and hopefully someone will step up to make those decisions with focus and efficient forethought.”

Kennedy said he’ll continue to serve and finish his term, which ends Dec. 31, 2013.

LiaBraaten was appointed to a seat on the Township Committee in 2010, and secured his first three-year term in the November 2010 election.

The Primary Election is Tuesday, June 7.