January 18, 2026  -  John Kalinich / Readington Twp.

With mail-in voting now underway in Readington Township for the June 2nd Primary Election, the Republican Candidates for Township Committee must be given serious consideration.

LISA ROUTEL and JON KOWAL are my choices based on their positions regarding Solberg Airport’s awaited Master Plan Update and, more importantly, the affordable housing obligation being imposed on the community by the State. Neither of these issues are desirable for the Township, however after speaking with LISA and JON I find their thinking to be independent and in line with best serving Readington’s residents on two unwanted outside initiatives. Their insights are based on current service to the Planning Board, Open Space Advisory Board, and the Agricultural Land Advisory Committee.

For Republican and unaffiliated voters who may not track Readington’s politics, there is a current rift among sitting Committee members. What in my opinion, I call a more practical faction, including current Mayor Juergen Huelsebusch is more aligned with LISA and JON’s positions. The Mayor has endorsed LISA and JON!

The opposing faction’s position on affordable housing, including former Mayor Mueller, favors a massive development of 1410 units, 20% affordable (282 units) and 80% market rate. Based on the Township’s assigned quota of 500+ affordable units, that immense development, on Route 202, would cover only about half of Readington’s quota. Thousands of market rate units would be needed, under this thinking, to satisfy Readington's quota; a developer's dream.

Further, under former Mayor Muller’s leadership, that faction also flatly rejected my two formal requests to the Committee, to seek a formal Public Hearing on the Solberg Master Plan update. The FAA procedures suggest such a request may be needed, however, your past Mayor would not facilitate you, as Citizens, being heard on the record.

This faction is supporting opposition candidates to LISA and JON and, I fear, if the opposition wins in this Primary and the General election, they will act as a majority “rubber stamp” on issues not in Readington Citizens’ best interests. LISA and JON favor more modest, considered solutions to issues forced onto our community.

Republican turn-out will matter in this Primary, and unaffiliated voters willing to declare as Republican at the poles on election day can vote for LISA ROUTEL and JON KOWAL. Readington does not need a Committee composed of aligned "yes men". As LISA and JON say, “Keep Readington Readington”!

ReadingtonRepublicans.com