15 File To Run For Brick School Board Seats

The Brick Township Board of Education likely will have a very different look come January, when as many as three new people join Sharon Cantillo, Karyn Cusanelli and John Barton on the board.

A total of 15 candidates -- 12 running for the three full three-year terms and three running for the one-year unexpired term of John Talty -- filed petitions, according to the Ocean County Clerk’s office, which released the information Monday afternon.

The three full terms are for the seats currently held by Michael Conti, Frank Pannucci Jr. and Susan Suter. Conti and Pannucci are candidates for the Township Council.

Suter confirmed Monday night that she is stepping down completely.

“I’ve been on the board for four years and I feel it’s time for new people with new ideas,“ she said by email.

In the race for the one year unexpired term of John Talty, who resigned in April due to health reasons, the names are familiar to those who have been in Brick Township political circles. Talty -- who has been trying to get his seat back since May, will be challenged by George W. White of Arbutus Avenue and Michael A. Thulen Sr. of Linden Avenue.

Thulen has served the township in multiple capacities, including two stints on the Township Council, and as a commissioner on the Municipal Utilities Authority.

White was among the nine candidates interviewed by the board in June to fill Talty’s seat through the end of 2015, and was among those on whom the board was unable to come to a concensus. Who will fill his seat through the end of the year is now being determined by Todd Flora, the interim Executive Ocean County Schools Superintendent. Candidates for that seat had to submit resumes by last Thursday, July 23. It is unknown how many applied for the seat.

For the three full three-year terms, the candidates are:

• Victor Finamore, Queen Ann Road
• John Lamela, Halifax Lane
• Madeline Colagiovanni-Iannarone, Hudson Drive
• David Fischer, Denise Court
• Lawrence K. Reid, Normandy Beach Drive
• Leonard Figula, Harvard Avenue
• Lois Turner, Alexander Avenue
• Walter F. Campbell, Mark Manor Drive
• Martin Ebert, Tall Oaks Drive
• Alana Pagano, Rancocas Drive
• Victoria Pakala, Manor Drive
• Stephanie A. Wohlrab, Robbins Street.

More information on the remainder the candidates seeking the three-year terms will be provided in the coming days.

(Board President Sharon Cantillo and members John Barton and Karyn Cusanelli will have at least three new members joining them on the Brick Board of Education next January. Credit: Karen Wall)