Committeeman extends thanks to supporters During one of the final days of the campaign, after weeks of crisscrossing various neighborhoods throughout Holmdel, Janet Berk and I walked up a steep hill to ring the doorbell of a house. A woman answered the door and gave us a bemused look. "If the two of you were willing to climb up here to talk to me, you got my vote." Campaigning is indeed hard work, and I'm so appreciative of the support that Janet and I received over the past year. Janet deserves a return to the Township Committee, and I know she will be a tireless worker for this community. Mayor Serena DiMaso and Jerry Allocco were worthy opponents, and while our viewpoints may differ on the issues, we all had Holmdel's best interests in mind. I have been reminded that coming close only counts in horseshoes or in the use of certain powerful firearms, but one very positive thing did happen in this election that ultimately makes all the hard effort worthwhile. Hundreds of voters ignored party lines, and showed a willingness to focus on the issues and the candidates themselves, rather than blind partisanship. That's a positive thing for any community, and offers an admirable goal for the five members of the Township Committee to consider, as they seek to unite Holmdel around the challenges that face our town. And to those people who so graciously donated their time, their energies, and their passion to our campaign, I encourage you to stay involved and continue the dialogue. The journey can be a little hilly at times, but you can always take comfort when you know you are traveling with friends. Mike Sockol Holmdel