Brick Township Council Election 2023: James Palmisano

BRICK, NJ — Election Day 2023 is near, and Brick Township voters will be going to the polls to cast their ballots for candidates at the local, county and state levels.

In Brick, there are eight candidates for the four available four-year terms on the Township Council.

Patch sent a questionnaire to all eight candidates seeking their responses. Here are the replies from James Palmisano. They are unedited except for typographical errors and punctuation.

Your Name: James Palmisano

Age (as of Election Day): 70

Party Affiliation: Republican

Campaign Website: BrickGOP.com

Family: Married 41 years to Deborah Ann Palmisano, retired teacher (Newark and Asbury Park); married daughter, Dr. Jessica Jankos; son-in-law, Brett Jankos, Colts Neck HS teacher and wrestling coach. Former Brick Memorial wrestling champion.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. No one in my family works for the local, state or federal government.

Education: No answer provided.

Occupation: Retired in 2016. Prior, Founder and owner of CIMS Gas Products. Literally scratch started an entrepreneurial industrial gas company in 2002, selling cryogenic gases, industrial gases, medical gases and specialty gases and related equipment. Acquired and integrated three companies and built it into a multimillion-dollar distributorship across nine states. Successfully operated the company for fourteen years before selling to a multinational global company. Before launching CIMS, I worked for multi-national companies in various management positions.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

1991-1992 Appointed Commissioner, Brick Economic Development Commission; 1992 Trustee, Regular Republican Club of Brick Township; 1993 Co-Chairman, Taxpayers for a United Brick Township; 1993-1994 Appointed member, Brick Township Board of Adjustment; 1996 Elected, Brick Township Board of Education; Also elected to the Ocean County Republican County Committee, 1992-1994, 1996-1998, 2002-2008, 2022-2024.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am sick and tired of local officials, most of which are appointed, not elected, treating the people of this township with disrespect and for constantly lying about who they are, and what they represent. All Brick residents deserve better, transparent and honest government officials. Officials who work for the people, not themselves. Officials who focus on township problems instead of advancing personal interests.

Crime has been a concern for months across New Jersey. What do you think should be done at the local level in Brick Township to ease residents’ concerns?

All decisions have consequences. When you elect woke politicians, they institute left wing ideas and policies to government. Biden, Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin have all recommended and appointed liberal prosecutors and judges who allow criminals to be released and provide haven for illegals. As a result of Democratic policies, crime has increased in Brick. We believe in having police enforce “low level crime” and supporting them in locking up criminals. We support ending bail reform. The “Count on the Catalano Republican Team” is adamantly opposed to Sanctuary Stat(s)e and Sanctuary Brick. We support providing the police with proper tools and policies to keep all Brick residents safe from criminals.

The township has refurbished its parks and expanded recreation programs for all ages over the last 10 years. What programs or facilities would you like to see brought to Brick Township?

Brick has many beautiful parks and open spaces, many of which were planned and funded by the Republicans. We do not support Offshore Wind in any shape or form. We will constantly look for opportunities to increase open space. Parks are necessary to improve the health and well-being of its citizens. Many residents have mentioned the desire for a community garden. I feel that Brick’s planning has been dismal, with no thought given to how today’s decisions impact future results. Brick has a large population of children and seniors. We are open and receptive to hear from everyone as to what they envision for recreation.

People persistently complain about property taxes. What do you believe Brick can do at the township level to mitigate the effects of state-mandated increases in the school district property tax levy? If you would make cuts, what township programs would you cut?

First and foremost, you cannot create something from nothing. The Democratic administration has been using smoke and mirrors and blatantly lying to Brick residents for years. We have more waterfront property than any other town in New Jersey. Superstorm Sandy decimated our waterfront and waterfront homes. Where modest cottages once stood, we now have million-dollar homes. Our tax base has exploded. The township received a tremendous amount of Sandy relief funds. The amount of which has been kept from the public. The township also reportedly, received a very healthy sum of money in Covid Relief. Instead of lowering taxes they spent the money. You cannot be short-sighted. When interest rates were low, we should have been borrowing for capital expenditures. Now rates are high.

How a governing body spends tax money is extremely important. Waste cannot be tolerated! Brick needs open and honest and conservative decision-makers who know how to balance budgets. Efficiency is always the key.