Scherer plans to seek seat in Manalapan
Shapiro announces he will not run for third term
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

Former Manalapan Demo-cratic Township Commit-teeman William Scherer wants to make a comeback.

Democratic Mayor Drew Shapiro wants to step out of the public spotlight.

Both men said they will follow through on their plans in 2006.

Scherer, who served on the Township Committee from Jan-uary 2000 through December 2005, said he plans to file a petition in about a week and to make a bid for office this year.

Meanwhile, Shapiro told the News Transcript he will not seek re-election to a three-year term.

Control of the governing body will be at stake in the November general election. Democrats presently have a 3-2 edge with Shapiro, Michelle Roth and Anthony Gennaro in the majority, and Republicans Joseph Locricchio and Andrew Lucas in the minority.

A victory by a Republican candidate in November will swing the balance of power back to the GOP. All of this political maneuvering comes at a time when supporters of a change of government are seeking to place a question on the election ballot that would, if approved by voters, change Manalapan's form of government.

When Scherer makes his bid for office it will not be with the backing of Manalapan's Demo-cratic Party.

Democratic municipal leader Gerard Ward and Shapiro both said Scherer would not get the backing of the party and, in fact, both men said they would do everything within their power to prevent Scherer from getting elected.

"He can announce that he will run as a Democrat, but I don't know anything about Mr. Scherer running for office. I can tell you he will never get the support of the party," Ward said this week.

Scherer said he fell into disfavor with the Democratic Party during his term as mayor in 2005 when he sided with Lucas and Locricchio on several issues.

"Just because I don't go along lock-step with the party mantra doesn't mean I'm not a loyal Democrat. I always voted how my mind and heart told me to, not because the party said so," he said.

Scherer, who directs operations at the Freehold Township office of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, said he believes he still has a lot to offer the citizens of Manalapan.

"I provided strong leadership last year as mayor and was able to work in a bipartisan fashion with the entire committee. If there needs to be a [Democratic] primary, so be it," he said, adding that he would welcome a debate with any candidate who is also seeking the committee seat.

Meanwhile, Shapiro said he wants to spend more time being a father to his 11-year-old daughter. He said he "practically missed" the wonder years of his two other daughters who are now in college, and wants to dedicate himself full-time to his child who is still at home.

Shapiro said he is proud of his service on the Planning Board and the Township Committee.

"I know I've done good things for Manalapan, but it's time now to dedicate myself to my family and let someone else step up," he said.

However, said Shapiro, Scherer is not that person.

"I don't consider Mr. Scherer a Democrat and never have and I am sure he won't get the support of the party. And, from what he's done in the past, I will do my best to make sure he never holds office again," Shapiro said.

Said Ward of Scherer, "He was negligent in his duties as a committeeman and his ethics are beyond questionable. He was lazy and did nothing for the job."

Ward said Scherer gained the mayor's seat last year in a 3-2 vote with support from Locricchio and Lucas (and a vote from himself). Shapiro and Democratic Committeewoman Rebecca Aaronson, who is no longer on the governing body, voted against the nomination of Scherer for mayor.

Ward said Scherer will never get the party line on the ballot and will not get the support of county Democratic leaders.

"If he (Scherer) runs as a Democrat, he runs at his own peril," Ward said, adding that Shapiro had advised Democratic municipal officials of his intention not to run.

Ward said three people are in consideration for the Democratic Party nomination. Petitions are expected to be filed by April 10 and that could set up a Democratic primary in June.