Brick Council Set To Have Republican Member In 2022

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township Council is set to meet Tuesday, its first meeting following the 2021 general election that gave the council its first elected Republican member since 2014.

Perry Albanese, a Republican who has lived in Brick Township for 50 years, was the top vote-getter among the six candidates for three seats on the council last week, according to unofficial results from the Ocean County Board of Elections. Those results remain unofficial until they are certified by the Ocean County Clerk, which must be completed by Nov. 20.

Albanese is anticipated to be a voice of dissent on the council, which has been under Democratic control since 2014, when the council reorganizes in January.

Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey was easily re-elected to a third term, with 17,549 votes to 10,113 for Republican challenger Theresa Gallagher.

Democrats Marianna Pontoriero and Heather deJong also appear to have been re-elected, with Pontoriero receiving 13,206 and deJong receiving 13,195, according to unofficial tallies. Republican Mary Buckley trails deJong by 269 votes, with 12,926. Democrat Derrick Ambrosio, who was chosen as the candidate to replace Paul Mummolo, who was not seeking re-election, received 12,918 votes, and Republican Ernest Arians had 12,806, according to the unofficial tallies.

The council is set to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday. According to the agenda, Mummolo is set to be appointed to serve on the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority for a short term, through Jan. 31, at the council meeting, filling a recently vacated seat.

Also on tap this week: the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment both are set to meet on Wednesday. The zoning board agenda shows three minor zoning matters. An agenda for the planning board meeting had not yet been posted.

Board of Education results

On the Brick Township Board of Education, unofficial totals have voters returning incumbent board members Stephanie Wohlrab, Victoria Pakala and Nicole Siebert to the board. Pakala was the top vote-getter with 11,288. Wohlrab and Siebert were second and third, with 10,635 and 9,545, respectively. Walter Campbell, who was hoping to return to the board after a brief stint in 2011-12, received 8,201, and Frances DiBenedictis, a newcomer, received 6,127.

10th District, County Commissioner results

In the 10th Legislative District and Ocean County Board of Commissioners races, the Republicans easily won election.

Republican Jim Holzapfel was returned to the state Senate for the 10th District, receiving, 56,106, more than double the 25,116 received by Democrat Emma Mammano. Gregory McGuckin and John Catalano were re-elected to the Assembly seats, receiving 54,980 and 54,558 respectively. Democrat Mary "Sharon" Quilter received 24,615, and her running mate, Garitt "Tony" Kono, received 24,475.

For the Board of Commissioners, Gary Quinn was re-elected, receiving 139,353 votes. Barbara "Bobbi" Jo Crea, who was seeking her first term on the board, received 135,632. Republican Gerry Little is stepping down as of Dec. 31. Democrat Catherine Paura received 56,289, and her running mate, Philip Nufrio, received 55,249. Dan Valentine and Robert Canfield, who sought the seats as members of the Libertarian Party, received 2,357 and 2,105, respectively, and Green Party candidate Barry Bendar received 1,389.

Other headlines from Brick last week:

Brick Zoning Board Hearing Set For Unauthorized Orthodox School: Representatives of Brick Township and of Congregation Kehilos Yisroel reached an agreement and an application has been filed with the township for a zoning variance to convert the former Temple Beth Or to a school for Orthodox Jewish boys.

• Man Stole $3,500 In Cigarettes From Wawa: Brick Police
• Brick Street Crimes Unit Arrests 9 On Drug Charges
• Suspect At-Large In Attempted Luring Of 13-Year-Old In NJ

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