TRENTON - On several occasions at tonight's mayoral forum in the basement of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, plants in the audience try to get a surge of clapping started for their respective candidates, but in each instance can't make it stick.

An oceanic response to a candidate's one-line answer from the people might produce an unlikely hero on the night, even pinpoint a frontrunner among the eight men and one woman sitting - and simultaneously jockeying - onstage.

They wait for the right moment to take advantage of an emotional turn of phrase and turn it into a sudden shift of power.  

Former Mercer County Freeholder Tony Mack tries to assert himself as the people's champion.

"I stood up for you, now I'm asking you to stand with me," he says, triggering two hands vigorously clapping, creating two more sets and maybe three or four clapping in an otherwise silent church hall.

At-Large Councilman Manuel Segura produces a moment that threatens to turn into something bigger.

With the retirement at the end of this year of 40-year incumbent Mayor Glenn Sisco, Councilman Bob Collins today formally announced his candidacy for mayor.

Eight years as the governing body's budget chairman, Collins is running with the endorsement of the 81-year old Sisco as he seeks his party's backing in the June 11th Republican Primary.

"I think these times demand proven leadership and I have a vision of smaller and more efficient government," said the 55-year old Collins, a 25-year veteran of the banking industry and former bank president at two institutions, who now serves as chief financial officer of a non profit.

Collins has served on the council for nine years. 

It's overwhelmingly Republican Party politics in Kinnelon, so if there is a contested primary, that's where the main drama will lie.

Councilman Dan O'Dougherty, who four years ago challenged Sisco and lost, has not yet publicly declared his candidacy.

The Senate Judiary Committee just unanimously passed Gov. Chris Christie's nominee to head the Department of Environmental Protection.

Bob Martin received the congratulations of Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) shortly after absorbing some stern questioning by state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), who ultimately joined her colleagues in voting in the affirmative.

"I have no quarrel with expediting permits, I just want to keep reminding you that you are the commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection," Weinberg said.

"I understand, senator,' Martin said.

"Some of the advocates seem uncomfortable with your appointment," Weinberg said. "As you probably know, we have among the worst air quality in the nation. You're going to bring some metrics to bear on our air quaaility in New Jersey?"

"Yes, senator," said Martin.