MOUNT OLIVE (11/16/05) – It’s official, Councilwoman Colleen Labow has disavowed her membership in the Democratic Party and has joined up with the Republicans.

Labow’s disenchantment with what is referred to in political circles at the (Mayor) Richard DeLaRoche wing of the local Democratic Party was obvious from the day the Democrats swept into office two years ago winning the mayor’s office as well as three council seats.

The new council persons at the time were Labow, Jim Buell and Bob Elms. Even before they took office there was a split with Elms supporting the mayor and Labow and Buell in opposition. Elms in his first year resigned to take a job out of the area and Labow and Buell led an unsuccessful recall movement of DeLaRoche.

Buell always had been less antagonistic toward DeLaRoche while Labow conducted a constant drumbeat of criticism until recently.

In this month’s election Republican incumbents Rob Greenbaum, Steve Rattner and Ray Perkins were re-elected to four year terms along with two newcomers, Russ Tepper and John Biondi. Biondi is filling Elms’ two year unexpired term.

It leaves Buell as the only Democrat on the Council, who reportedly has said he will remain a Democrat but makes no secret about his disdain for DeLaRoche and the local Democratic Committee, who he said has made life uncomfortable for him and Labow.

Greenbaum, who is Council President said he welcomed Labow, who, he says has worked hard for the town. David Scapicchio, chairman of the Republican Party, also welcomed her saying he was glad to accept a new Republican.