Brick Township Mayoral Election 2021: John Ducey

BRICK, NJ — The 2021 election campaign culminates when voters go to the polls Nov. 2 to choose the mayor of Brick Township, along with other political positions.

There are two candidates seeking the mayor's seat, which is a four-year term.

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 John Ducey.

Age: 51

Town of residence: Brick

Position sought: Brick Mayor

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife Deirdre and son Jack (9)

Education: Juris Doctorate, University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida

Bachelor of Science, Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida

Occupation: Attorney

Previous elective office, if any: Brick Mayor, 2014 to present, Brick Township Council, 2012-2013

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

I am the Mayor of Brick Township

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking office so that the progress of the last 8 years does not disappear. First, before I became mayor, crime was very high partly due to a lack of funding for our police department, which was forced to disband the Drug Task Force. Since becoming mayor we have hired 17 new police officers and fully funded the department, allowing the Drug Task Force and Community Policing Programs to thrive. Due to our hardworking, and fully funded, police department, crime is down 42 percent overall, including violent crime down 35 percent, since I took office. Our police are the best in the state and should not be attacked or defunded again and I can guarantee that as Mayor.

We also know that the previous administration spent wildly, as we saw spending rise 53 percent in 8 years. We have stabilized taxes including the first tax cut in over 33 years. In addition, the record debt when I became mayor is now down $31 million. I am running again for mayor to keep making Brick Better.

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

The most pressing issue is keeping Brick on the right path. We have a safe town with terrific parks and very special community events. Our opponents are attacking our great police force by stating that crime is up. The men and women of the BTPD have worked diligently at their job in difficult times. The result of their hard work is a 42 percent reduction in overall crime and a 35 percent reduction in violent crime. Instead of praising the police for their great work, our opponents in this election have slandered our police officers in political attack ads. Brick does not need this fear-mongering, we need stability and a proven track record of making Brick Better for all.

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

The critical difference is I have a proven track record of 8 years of rebuilding our beautiful parks and creating and expanding our community events including the new farmers market and Fall Fest. I have fully funded the police department by adding 17 officers to allow a Community Policing program that has helped lower opioid overdoses by 35 percent. Our pro-business policies filled empty storefronts that were prevalent 8 years ago. We elevated roads and installed check valves to help with sunny day flooding. We have kept Brick affordable as taxes are finally stable and our debt has been reduced $31 million. We have a proven track record of improving the quality of life for all residents in Brick. My opponent just moved to Brick, has no background here, and has done nothing to make Brick Better.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Keeping taxes low, keeping residents safe, improving the quality of life, improving the business climate, saving open space, and generally making residents' lives better and keep making Brick Better.

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

Municipal taxes have been kept low. In the 8 years before I was mayor the spending increased 53 percent. In the past 8 years, my policies have reduced spending growth to about 1 percent a year.

Brick is safer. The easy comparison is to look at the FBI statistics which show in the past 10 years a 42 percent reduction in overall crime and a 35 percent reduction in violent crime.

Brick is better for families. We have renovated 8 parks (and have 2 more to go). We have expanded Summerfest from 3 shows to 4 shows. We have added the Farmers Market. We have added Fall Fest. We have added the Community Garden. We have added concerts at Traders Cove.

Brick is better for seniors. We have added Senior Buses. We are building a new senior center in the center of town on Aurora Place (opening in 2022). Built Pickleball facility at Angela Hibbard Park.

Brick is better for veterans. Free beaches for veterans. Banners to honor those township residents who gave their lives for our freedom. Extensive repairs made to the DAV building. Purple Heart parking spots at town facilities.

Brick is better for businesses. Filled many empty storefronts. Started the Buy in Brick program to keep commerce local with our small businesses. Attracted Trader Joe’s, Lidl, Brownstone Pancakes, Playa Bowls, Corrado’s, Beacon 70, and many others with our business-friendly policies.

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

All of the above accomplishments could not have been done without the ideas and hard work of the Township Council. For Brick to continue getting better I need a supportive council, so I ask that you vote for Column B, my team — Marianna Pontoriero, Heather deJong and Derrick Ambrosino.