Clean sweep for Gonnelli and Take Back Secaucus team

SECAUCUS - It was a clean sweep for mayoral candidate Mike Gonnelli and his Take Back Secaucus team as their independent slate trounced the Secaucus Democratic Organization in yesterday's elections.

Gonnelli will be taking the seat once held by mayor Dennis Elwell, who resigned earlier this year after an arrest on corruption charges.

The SDO decided not to name a replacement for Elwell in the campaign, but did name former Councilman Richard Steffens as interim mayor.

Gonnelli thanked his supporters last night, saying he was looking forward to working for the people of Secaucus.

"We're here to work for you. It's not going to be politics as usual anymore. It's going to be business as usual," Gonnelli told the packed crowd at the La Quinta Hotel ballroom on Lighting Way.

Gonnelli received a total of 3,776 votes.

In the First Ward race, Rob Constantino garnered 786 votes, defeating Councilwoman Dawn McAdam who received 579.

Independent Second Ward Councilman John Bueckner was re-elected handily, garnering 1,286 votes to challenger Frank Trombetta's 579.

In a Third Ward upset, Realtor Bill McKeever received 940 votes, defeating longtime Councilman and Deputy Mayor John Reilly, who had 611 votes.

These totals do not include vote-by-mail or provisional ballots.

Gonnelli said the win by the Take Back Secaucus slate gives the ticket a six-to-one majority on the council after a new council member is named to take Gonnelli's seat in the Second Ward.

The sole Democrat left will be Third Ward Councilman John Shinnick.

Gonnelli will take office as mayor Jan. 1 when the Town Council holds its reorganization meeting.