Shapiro seeks return to government
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

Drew Shapiro

MANALAPAN - Former Democratic Township Committeeman Drew Shapiro will seek to return to the governing body this year.

Shapiro, who served two terms on the committee from 2001 through 2006, did not seek re-election in November 2006. However, he has thrown his hat into the race this year in a bid to return to public office.

Manalapan Democratic Chairman Gerard Ward made the announcement to the News Transcript for Shapiro, who was not available for an interview by press time April 9 because he was out of town.

April 9 was the deadline for candidates to file a petition to run for public office.

According to Ward, Shapiro, a jewelry company owner, will run with Herbert Barrack, who is retired from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Barrack is a member of the township Planning Board.

It could not be determined by press time if any other Democrats had filed to challenge Shapiro and Barrack for the Democratic nomination.

Republican Committeeman Andrew Lucas, who is serving as Manalapan's mayor this year, will seek re-election to a second term on a ticket with Planning Board member Susan Cohen.

Cohen is also a member of Manal-apan's domestic violence crisis team.

Lucas is a financial consultant and Cohen is a real estate sales manager.

It could not be determined by press time if any other Republicans had filed to challenge Lucas and Cohen for the Republican nomination.

Joseph DePasquale, a member of the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education, announced last week that he will run for a seat on the Township Committee as an independent candidate.

The committee seats presently held by Lucas and Republican Committeeman Joseph Locricchio will be up for grabs in the November election. Locricchio announced last week that he will resign from the committee effective May 1 due to health concerns.

A Manalapan resident will be appointed to that seat to serve the remainder of Locricchio's term through Dec. 31.

In addition to Lucas and Locricchio, the other members of the committee are Democrats Michelle Roth and Richard Klauber, and Anthony Gennaro, who is serving as an independent.