Hillsborough’s own Jack Ciattarelli, this year’s Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey, joined local Township Committee candidates Mayor Shawn Lipani and Steve Cohen, to celebrate the 4th of July at Hillsborough’s Annual Fireworks event at Auten Road Intermediate School, last night.  This year’s event was extra special as it also commemorates Hillsborough’s 250th birthday!  Asked for his thoughts on this year’s event, Mayor Lipani noted “It was great to see the huge attendance at our 250th celebration.  The energy was terrific!”.  

The Hillsborough Republican Club maintained a table at the event where residents stopped by to talk some politics, but mostly to get the bubbles, and beach balls and glowsticks being given out.  Mayor Lipani and Cohen spent a lot of time handing out the fun items.  And when they weren’t by the table, Lipani and Cohen could be found walking throughout the schoolyard meeting and speaking with hundreds of Township residents, bringing the bubbles and beachballs to them, and chatting about everything from local issues to updates on the Mets game, where Jacob DeGrom was pitching.  (The Mets eventually won, 3-2).   District 16 Republican candidates Vinny Panico, Joe Lukac and Mike Pappas also attended the event and met with many residents.    

After having to cancel last year’s event due to COVID-19, everyone was excited to celebrate!  Local restaurants and related establishments were happy to be back offering food and refreshments for sale.  Residents of all ages brought their chairs and blankets, and relaxed in the grass, listening to music, as kids of all ages were having fun, enjoying the outdoors. 
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As usual, the return of the annual fireworks celebration which always brings the whole Town together, was a big hit with residents.  And we expect the celebration and energy will continue this coming Fall with the election of Jack Ciattarelli as the next Governor of New Jersey, and Mayor Lipani and Steve Cohen to Hillsborough’s Township Committee for the next three years.     

On Monday, June 21st, the Hillsborough Republican Club held its first “in-person” meeting in over 15 months, at United Rentall, on Route 206, here in Hillsborough.  Every table was filled and the agenda was complete with 2 very special guests:  Guest Speaker Cathy Callahan, current Vice President of Somerset County Federation of Republican Women, and Mark Colavita, the 2021 recipient of the Hillsborough Republican Club’s Peter J Bondi Scholarship for high school seniors heading to college in the Fall. 
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(Pictured at right are Republican Township Committee candidate Steve Cohen, Mayor Shawn Lipani, United Rentall owners Mike and Marie Avolio, and Luke Ferrante, Field Director for Jack Ciattarelli's campaign.)  
 
Republican Club guest speaker Cathy Callahan is a 2021 New Jersey Federation of Republican Women (NJFRW) Women of the Year and a former Millicent Fenwick awardee.   A few of her other credits include NJ Licensed Realtor, Dance Instructor & Life member Dance Educators of America, Rotary Member, NJ Notary Public, NRA Member, AED and CPR Certified and Virtus Certified.   Cathy spoke to club members on NJFRW uses of its resources to support Republican objectives and policies and work for election of Republican nominees. The NJFRW concentrates its efforts in areas of educating, communicating, recruiting, campaigning, fundraising, training and legislative actions. 

One of the annual highlights of the Republican Club’s efforts for many years has been to offer graduating seniors the opportunity to write an essay on various topics.  This year’s essay topic was “The role of the Constitution in the United States Today”.   The Club’s reading committee of members unanimously chose Mark Colavita’s essay, and Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani presented the award to Mark via video at the awards ceremony. (When made available, the video will be posted here.)

Although he had his graduation ceremonies earlier that day and was looking forward to Project Graduation fun at Iron Peak directly following the meeting, Mark showed his strong character by making time to accept the Club’s invitation to this meeting and attend with his parents.  Mark also addressed all those in attendance, sharing some of his thoughts about the role of the Constitution today.  He then closed by saying “I would like to thank you for choosing me as the Republican Club Scholarship recipient. Your scholarship of $500 will help me begin my studies of Mechanical Engineering at Miami University in Ohio. I plan to use this award toward tuition and books.”

Good luck Mark!  We know you have much success ahead of you!