Brick Township Council Election 2021: Marianna Pontoriero

BRICK, NJ — The 2021 election campaign culminates when voters go to the polls Nov. 2 to choose Brick Township Council members.

There are three seats up for election and six candidates seeking those seats, which are four-year terms.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Marianna Pontoriero

Age: 48

Town of residence: Brick

Position sought: Brick Council

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife, Crystal, children Antonio, 14, Bella, 9, Lola, 8

Education: Bishop Ahr HS; Adelphi University, BA Psychology; Rutgers School of Law Camden, Juris Doctorate

Occupation: Licensed Attorney, Certified Mediator

Previous elective office, if any: Brick Council, 2014 - present

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments?

No. My father was an HVAC specialist, my mother was a school nurse.

Why are you seeking office?

I am running for re-election to a third term to continue to keep our taxes low, to continue to support our police in their successful efforts to reduce crime and to ensure the well-being of all of our residents. I love Brick and want to particularly protect and serve our esteemed seniors, our children, particularly with special needs, and people like myself who are battling health challenges like cancer. I would not sacrifice time away from my family to hold this office if I didn’t believe that I am making a difference.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it?

We have several tough issues to address in the upcoming years. Each is important to a different segment of our town. First, our seniors need more services and assistance to ensure their well-being and quality of life. I am devoted to the construction of the new senior center and EMS building, which is now being planned. For the sake of our kids, which are our future, we need to continue to battle the horrific killing spree of the opioid epidemic through continued new programs to attack it from every direction.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve?

I am a fighter for justice for all, not some. I don’t owe anyone anything, except my family. I’m self-made, paid for my own education and have the often-missing traits of compassion and empathy that most other candidates lack. I serve from the heart and have the experience and drive to continue.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Taxes must be kept in check so that our residents can continue to afford to reside in Brick. I will never pass a budget that does not include debt reduction because it’s essential. I watched my grandparents, who worked in factories in Newark, go to the bank each month to put every spare dime into the paydown of their mortgage. They knew the importance of debt reduction and how it can increase one’s cash flow. We are doing our best to meet our growing needs while cutting out unnecessary costs. I want my children to be able to afford to live in Brick (preferably close to me) no matter what their future job will be. This can only happen if we continue to cut costs, continue to eliminate unnecessary government-funded jobs and work harder to keep eliminating debt.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office?

I have been working as the chair of Public Safety for the past 7 years. Working with Chief Riccio and our officers we have resurrected the Neighborhood Watch program, which has grown exponentially.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

No answer provided.