Bohlin, Schneider seek mayor, council positions
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - Republicans Russell Bohlin and Paul Schneider were the only candidates who filed nominating petitions to run for the mayor's seat and a term on the Township Council by theApril 7 deadline.

Bohlin is running for a four-year term as Howell's mayor and Schneider is running for a four-year term on the council. The two men will not be challenged in the June Republican primary and are expected to have their names on the November general election ballot.

No Democrats filed to run for the mayor's seat or the council term.

RepublicanMayor Joseph DiBella and Republican Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker recently announced that they would not seek re-election this year.

Independent candidates have until June 3 to file for a place on the November general election ballot.

Independent Councilman Robert Walsh has said he may have an interest in seeking the mayor's seat, but he has not formally declared himself a candidate.

Under Howell's form of government the mayor is directly elected by voters but is a member of the five-person council and votes on all legislation.

The other members of the council at the present time are independents Michael Howell and Angela Dalton.

Bohlin confirmed that he is running for mayor, but said he was not prepared to offer any specifics as to what his election platform may be. He said he has an master's degree in business from Monmouth University and a background in business.

"I used to work as an auditor in the computer industry and I was a major distributor of high end playground equipment from 1990 until my retirement in 2005. I have experience in running a business and controlling expenses," Bohlin said.

Schneider, who serves on the Howell Planning Board, said he is running for a seat on the council because "I care about the future of this community and if the people elect me I think I can make a contribution."

Schneider said he has served Howell on many committees.

"I established the Shade Tree Committee in 1967 and I am still a member of the committee. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I was the vice president of the now defunct Howell Board of Health. I served on the mobile home park rent control committee, the environmental committee and now I am serving on the Planning Board. In the 1990s I served on the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports."

Schneider said he has a track record of "ongoing commitment to public service."