BRICK – Mayor John G. Ducey will serve his third term since winning by a landslide in the November 2 election.
Ducey, a Democrat, got 17,549 votes, or 63.42 percent, over Republican candidate Theresa Gallagher, who received 10,113 votes, or 36.55 percent.
The incumbent Democrat council members Marianna Pontoriero and Heather deJong also won reelection, but the top vote-getter among the council was newcomer Republican candidate Perry Albanese, who will be the only one of seven council members serving his party.
Asked what he wants to accomplish in the next four years, Mayor Ducey said that during his third term he is looking forward to the construction and opening of the new township Senior Center on Aurora Place which should be completed in 2022.
“I also cannot wait for the opening of the privately owned Sports Dome,” he wrote in an email, referring to the redevelopment of the former Foodtown site. “These two projects will give an abundance of activities for people of all ages,” he said.
The mayor said he hopes to accomplish the completion of the new police building behind Town Hall as well as the renovation of the two remaining township parks that were last on a list of parks to be updated.
“I look forward to road-raising projects throughout the town to help with the sunny day flooding that occurs at the low areas in town,” he wrote. “Paying down more debt and continuing to keep taxes stable year after year will also continue as well as keeping our residents safe by fully funding our Police Department.”
Lastly, Mayor Ducey said his goal is to preserve open space on a yearly basis.
Asked if he was surprised that one of the council seats went to the Republican party, the mayor said that party levels at the local level do not really mean much.
“I think it is a testament to the great job being done here in Brick that all of the incumbents were reelected,” he said.
He said that Democrat hopeful Derrick Ambrosino worked hard during the election, but the voters decided to go in a different direction. (Democratic Councilman Paul Mummolo decided not to seek reelection).
“I am just happy that the voters in Brick acknowledge the hard work by the incumbent council members and brought them back into office for another four years,” Mayor Ducey said. “I look forward to working with Perry Albanese to keep making Brick a better place for all.”
He said that while Albanese concentrated on school and state/national issues while campaigning, the mayor said he thought the new council member would have some great ideas.
Asked if the election of a Republican for the first time in about a decade is a wakeup call, he said he doesn’t see it that way since all the incumbents were reelected.
“The voters seem to be very happy with the direction that Brick is going,” he wrote. “We all appreciate that support.”
Board of Education members Stephanie Wohlrab, Victoria Pakala and Nicole Siebert (the “Believe in Brick” Team) also won their reelection bids.
Board President Wohlrab said the team is grateful and honored to be given the opportunity to serve the students, staff and community of the Brick Township Public Schools.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to support the district and ensure our students receive all the opportunities and experiences the past two years have taken away,” she wrote in an email.
“We are committed to continuing to support all BTPS staff through comprehensive services and professional development ensuring they have the tools and services necessary to be successful in their jobs and daily lives,” Wohlrab wrote.
She said the board is committed to continuing to ensure parents’ voices are heard and considered in decisions affecting the education of their children.
“We each play a valuable role in our community and we each deserve the right to be heard. We are in this together and it is together, as a district and community, we will continue to advocate for our children and a return to pre-COVID normalcy – where Brick is the best it can be, student centered, teacher led – community support,” Wohlrab said.
