It’s election day 2016; and the choices at the polls in the Rumson-Fair Haven area are a mix of longtime incumbents, newcomer challengers and one mainstay  …

Fair Haven Borough Council

The incumbents … 

Republican sitting councilmen Rowland Wilhelm Jr. and Jonathan Peters are hoping to keep their council seats on the six-member, weak mayor strong borough council form of government dais. There is a lone Democrat serving on the present GOP-dominated council.

Wilhelm and Peters are running on a “Family Friendly — Fiscally Prudent” platform which touts experience, preservation and fiscal responsibility.

The Democratic challengers …

for the two seats up for grabs are Shervyn von Hoerl and Christopher Rodriguez. Rodriguez is relatively new to Fair Haven and von Hoerl ran for mayor last year.

Rodriguez’ wife, Karen, is running for the Fair Haven Board of Education.

The two seek to break the long-time Republican majority on council with what they have said is a non-partisan, unifying mission to serve and represent residents.

Rumson Borough Council

Two seats are up for grabs on the six-member dais in Rumson. The two Republican incumbents, Joseph Hemphill and Laura Attwell are being challenged by Democrat Michael Steinhorn, who has run for local mayoral and council office several times and has made a bid for Monmouth County Surrogate as well as clerk.

Hemphill, a longtime resident, has served on council for 10 years. Atwell, also a longtime resident, has served for the past three.

The two, according to their campaign brochure are running on a platform of experience and accomplishment.

Atwell has served as the council’s liaison for the borough’s Department of Public Works and the Historic Preservation Commission.

Fair Haven Board of Education 

There are five candidates running for the three Fair Haven Board of Education seats up for grabs on the nine-member dais. They are: Karen Rodriguez, Carol Lang, Sherri D’Angelo, incumbent Marisa Coar and Ellen Iovino.

The only seated BOE member who is running again is Marisa Coar. Michael Bernstein and Jeff Spector’s terms expire in December of 2016. Both opted to not run again.

Rumson Board of Education

There are two uncontested seats up for grabs on the nine-member board in Rumson. They are those of: Diane MacGillis and Elaine Melia.