Election 2023: Barnegat Township Committee Candidate Ron Naples

BARNEGAT, NJ — Election Day is nearing, and Barnegat voters will head to the polls to cast their votes for two Township Committee seats.

Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates seeking their responses. Here is the response from Democratic candidate Ron Naples.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the Nov. 7 general election. These responses will be published edited only for style. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact veronica.flesher@patch.com.

Name Ron Naples (Ronald)

Age 64

Party affiliation Democrat

Education: BA in Theater and BS in Political Science from Montclair State University. Attended Pace University to pursue MBA

Occupation Associate Professor of Hospitality at New York University

Family I have two grown sons one is an IT Manager, the other is a Police Detective

Previous public office experience Served on Hopatcong Borough Council 1983 to 1985, Cemetery Commissioner in Manchester, VT, Ocean Count Democratic Committee Member, Congressional Aide to Helen Meyner

Why are you running for this position? Barnegat has been controlled by one party for too long and there needs to be someone asking questions for the citizens. We also lack government transparency and I want to change that.

What separates you from the other candidates? I believe Charlie Cunliffe, my running mate and I believe in the same things but I want to govern as opposed to just be a yes person like my opponents. They lack knowledge and are not very inclusive in their awareness of society and our diverse community. Cirulli is a downright bigot and no one that closed minded should be in public office. I am also a member of the LGBTQ community which really shouldn't matter but in Barnegat it does because of the closed minds on the committee.

What do you think is the most pressing issue in the town and how do you intend to address it? Town Hall construction is way behind and a disaster now that the contractor is being fired. No one was watching or managing this contract or others I also want to end the corrupt patronage jobs that seems to be the current employment strategy. The tax issue is a time bomb because of the political use of the tax surplus. I intend to address all of these items by paying attention and focusing on transparent government decisions that put the citizens of Barnegat first and not the self-interests of elected officials or town beauracrats.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish? Pry government open more with more than one meeting a month that is truly opened and streamed to the public in real time. Grab a hold on the mismanagement at town hall and be fiscally responsible. I want to be a second voice in the discussion. As Wrigley said, If we are not arguiing one of us is not necessary. There needs to be open debate and a real effort to hear from residents. Charlie and I also intend to go into the many communities within Barnegat and host listening meetings with citizens.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know? I say it like it is and will be honest, vocal and always on the side of what is best for the majority of our citizens whatever party, gender, identity, race, or religion they belong to.