By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – The vice president of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District Board of Education won a third term on the board, receiving more than double the votes of her nearest opponent in a school election Tuesday, April 15 that saw the 2008-2009 budget pass by a narrow margin.

“I’m just very happy and delighted that the people supported me again,” said Margaret M. Guenther, who served 18 years on the Galloway Township school board before starting her six years with the regional board.  Her seat, representing Galloway Township residents, was the only contested seat out of three up for vote.

“With the Lord’s help, I’m ready for another three years,” she said.

The board’s vice president for the past three years, Guenther said she was also gratified that the budget was approved.

“I’m delighted that the budget passed,” she said. “People are overwhelmed by the taxes going up. They expected them to be going down, and they’re upset.”

She said the local school budget of $65.64 million is part of a bigger economic picture.

“People are upset about the whole economy,” Guenther said. “Gas prices are a big problem. Retired people see those prices rising; they look at it and say, ‘What can I do?’”

While the budget, which is up by $6 million, passed by less than 6 percent in the district’s four communities, it was carried by 803 “yes” to 624 “no” votes in Galloway Township. The local margin of victory of 179 was greater than the budget’s overall margin of 173.

The budget also passed in Hamilton Township by a vote of 391 to 342.

It lost by 33 votes in Mullica Township, 271 to 304; and in Egg Harbor City, the budget received 114 “yes” votes to 136 “no.”

The tax impact in Egg Harbor City calls for a rate reduction of 1.03 cents per $100 of property valuation. Hamilton Township will also see a reduction, with the regional schools tax rate dropping 3.54 cents per $100.

In Galloway Township, however, where the regional school district budget got its biggest support, the regional schools tax impact will be an increase of 2.94 cents per $100 of valuation. In Mullica Township, taxes will increase by .89 cents per $100.

Meanwhile, Richard Zappy, who ran uncontested for reelection in Hamilton Township, garnered 529 votes. William Cheatham, the uncontested Mullica representative, received 390 votes.

In Galloway Township, Guenther received 565 votes, while three candidates split the 605 votes that were not cast for the incumbent. Peter Avagliano came in second with 230 votes. Lynn M. Silvestro was third with 229 votes. David Ablett Sr. received 146 votes.

Budget vote totals for the district were 1,579 in favor and 1,406 opposed.

The fate of the district budget is determined by the popular vote district-wide regardless of the tallies in each community.