UPDATED: Budget Passes; Two Incumbents Keep Seats While Olker Ousts Quiroz

Despite a problem with vote-tallying equipment last night, by 11 p.m. the election results were clear, if close: Barnegat voters approved the $50.5 million school budget, returned incumbents Lisa Becker and Denise Pilovsky to the Board of Education and installed newcomer Alice Olker.

Preliminary election results for Barnegat were released by Township Clerk Kathleen T. West just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. But the total tallies from the county clerk's office – which also included vote-by-mail and military ballots – weren't released on the county's election website until somewhat later because of a minor equipment hiccup in Barnegat.

The county receives voting information from individual municipalities electronically through a machine that reads the voting booth cartridges.

"Last night not all of our cartridges were reading," said Deputy Municipal Clerk Sharon Auer. As a result, county poll workers had to drive the cartridges up to Toms River to be read. 

Even before the official tally was in, it was clear last night that the race was tight. The budget passed by 158 votes, and 224 votes separated the top vote-getter, Lisa Becker, from the candidate who received the least votes, Shannon Sarno.

The Candidates

Township Tally

County Tally

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Budget Referendum

Township Tally

County Tally

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Becker, Pilovsky, Quiroz and many of their supporters – including several current board members – gathered at the Barnegat American Legion when the polls closed last night to watch the votes roll in. With the final tallies totalled, there was relief and disappointment for the incumbents.

Quiroz said that despite his defeat, he was happy to see so many residents turn out to vote – and support the budget he helped craft.

"It passed," he said, smiling. "I think this is a huge accomplishment."

One thing bothered him, though he said.

"I saw a huge defeat (of the budget) in some of the senior communities. I think that adds to the divide between parents and seniors – between kids and seniors." The community needs to work to bridge that gap, he said. "That divide isn't helping anyone."

Quiroz said he wanted to congratulate Olker, who will take his place on the board. "She brings experience to the board in her own way," he said. And Quiroz said he plans to stay active in board matters and town politics.

"This is definitely not the end," he said.

Pilovsky said the night had been "a roller coaster," but that she was relieved.

"I'm so happy the parents came out and supported the budget," she said. "It's very exciting."

As for the defeat of her running mate, "it's what the people want, and we have to respect that," she said. "And we'll all work together. It's all for the education of the children of Barnegat."

Becker, too, said she was glad to parents voting to support the budget.

"I think they realized they have to advocate for their kids," she said. "That's the message we wanted to send, and that's the message I think was received."

She was disappointed at Quiroz's loss, she said.

"But I'm extremely proud that that so many people saw through all the stuff going around...and took him on his merits," Becker said. "He has all the potential in the world. He's exactly what we want to be producing out of Barnegat High School. He's the future."

Becker said she was ready to get to work with a newly formed board.

Today, Alice Olker said she was pleased to be joining Becker, Pilovsky and the other board members, and that she was ready to put the campaign behind her.

"I'm certainly happy I got elected," she said, "and I'd like to compliment Mrs. Pilovsky and Mrs. Becker. I'm forward to working with everyone for the betterment of the children of the township."

She foresees no difficulty in working with the current board, she said. "Campaigns are what they are: campaigns. We'll work toward a common goal and see it through."