Storch, Goode, Morgan coast to victory despite Election Day wrangles

Successful candidates address volunteers at
Plainfield Democratic headquarters,
(l. to r.) Cory Storch, Emily Morgan, Barry Goode, Mayor Adrian Mapp.

Plainfield voters overwhelmingly elected Democrats Cory Storch and Barry Goode to the City Council, and Emily Morgan to the Board of Education.

The results came in to Plainfield Dem headquarters at 617 Park Avenue quickly after the polls closed at 8:00 PM.

Here are the unofficial tallies --

WARD 2
Storch	909
Campbell	558
WARDS 1/4
Goode	993
Ortega	310
BOARD OF ED
Morgan	1,696
Campbell	1,711
Wyatt	1,528
Coley	1,197

The results represent a further strengthening of the position of Mayor Adrian O. Mapp.

In the Board of Ed race, where Morgan faced a slate organized by John Campbell Sr., she polled the second highest number of votes -- separated from the top vote-getter by only fifteen votes. Incumbent Jackie Coley lost her seat as a result.

Election Day was relatively quiet, except for wrangling at several sites as school district maintenance crews moved -- or attempted to move -- campaign signs from the public spaces in front of school polling places.

This is the first time ever that anyone can recall such action. Councilor Storch reported an incident at Cook School shortly after 8:00 AM. Mayor Mapp was involved in trying to resolve a similar situation at Cedarbook School in mid-afternoon.

A worker at Clinton School reported that when Superintendent Anna Belin Pyles brought the issue up, she was referred to City Clerk "AJ" Jalloh, who is Plainfield's chief election officer.

In every previous election, candidate signs of whatever affiliation have alsways been found in the grassy area between the curb and the sidewalk in front of school buildings -- as long as they are at least the minimum distance away from the entrance as prescribed by law.

This is the first time anyone can recall the placement of signs being mde an issue at so many locations.

Coincidentally, the husband of the Board of Ed president  was one of the BOE candidates and her son was running for a Council seat as an independent. Coincidentally, of course.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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