Politics & Government

Brick Votes For Mayor, Council, BOE: A Call For Change

Below, please find some biographical information and platforms - submitted by each candidate  - running for Council and the Board of Education.

Mayoral Race:

Name: Joseph Sangiovanni

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Education: St. Peter's College/Monmouth University

Number of years lived in Brick: 30 Years

Occupation: Director of Transportation, BOE 

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Family: Grown son and daughter 

Public Service: Councilman, Eight years this January;  Brick Board of Education, one term; Ocean County Vo-tech Board of Education – 2 terms; Commissioner, Brick Township MUA, – 2 years; Executive Board member/treasurer Police Athletic League – 5 YEARS; VP Brick Football Parents Club,  – 4 YEARS; Coached football, baseball, softball 

As Mayor, I intend to establish an administration that seeks to further streamline the day-to-day operations of our governmental services, even if it means changing past practices held by prior mayors.

This improvement should be considered not a judgment of past performance but one of a continuation of an effort to economize and cut programs that are not vital to the taxpayer interest. Every elected mayor has a style of leadership and management. I intend to distinguish my administration with the experience I acquired over the many years spent in both the private and public sector. I know what it takes to manage people and deal with union contracts as well as Civil Service. I am the only candidate in this race that has extensive and a well-rounded view of how our local government should work.

We all know it’s about taxes and especially now during the recovery period of Hurricane Sandy. While the waterfront was most affected, the storm devastation delivered a potentially unthinkable tax burden on all of us. This is why we have to provide all available means to help those homeowners recover and rebuild so their tax ratable are back on our tax rolls as quickly as possible.

I want to continue to redevelop our parks and beaches and prevent them from falling to decay through neglect and vandalism. We need to reestablish a road improvement program that is not predicated on the whims of Council people who decide that their neighborhood should be at the top of the list.


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Name: John Ducey

Education: Monsignor Donovan High School, Barry University, B.S., University of Miami School of Law

Number of years lived in Brick: 11 years

Occupation: Attorney who has my own law firm on Herbertsville Road

Family: Married, with 2-year-old son Jack

Public Service: Brick Council 2012-2013, 2012 Council President. Volunteer at Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Volunteer at Annual Toy Drive for Madonna House, Jersey Shore Children’s Unit and other shore entities. Coordinator for Ocean County High School Mock Trial Contest

The most important issues in Brick are property taxes and spending. Our town is getting to the point where people can’t afford to live here because the property taxes are so high.

Between 2008 and 2011, when my opponent, Councilman Joe Sangiovanni, and Mayor Acropolis controlled the budget, property taxes increased 61%. The reason for those outrageous tax increases is because of their spending. The Sangiovanni-Acropolis team spent $22 million on Traders Cove Park, and each year millions of dollars are spent on their friends and families that received public jobs. These spending policies have to end.

I have a specific plan to do that, starting with my “Day One” proposals to immediately cut $2 million from the municipal budget: (1) eliminate the 8 new management positions created by Sangiovanni, at a cost of over $1 million; (2) cut legal fees by 15 % and engineering fees by 10% (3) stop Sangiovanni’s plan to abolish trash collection and his threats against the police force and public works; and (4) ensure that Sandy aid goes to help homeowners, not Sangiovanni campaign contributors. I also will make sure that we develop a detailed and effective plan for emergency preparedness for our next storm or crisis. Finally, I will get rid of the red light cameras that Sangiovanni brought to several traffic intersections in our town. They don’t improve safety, they just take hard-earned money from our residents.

With the support of my wife Deirdre, and my 2-year-old son Jack, I have been knocking on doors for weeks, and have spoken to countless residents in our towns about their concerns. The biggest concern I have heard is that Brick needs a new direction because it is unaffordable. The new direction is not hard to figure out -- we need to cut spending to rein in the out-of-control property taxes. I have a proven record of cutting spending and getting property taxes under control. In 2012 and 2013, after I was elected to the Council, the tax rate has had zero increase.

I also kept my campaign pledge – to take either a salary or health benefits from my Council position but not both – and I am the only member of the Township Council to refuse the $8,000 salary.

My efforts so far are just a small start, but we need to head in a new direction. The problem is that most of the spending in Brick government is under the direct control of the mayor. For example, the Council approved an ordinance last year to eliminate eight highly paid management jobs in town hall, but Mayor Acropolis and Councilman Sangiovanni vetoed the ordinance and blocked the job cuts. My opponent, Joe Sangiovanni has already pledged to hire Acropolis to a six-figure job in town hall after the election. This will not happen if I am Mayor. We need a clean break and a new direction for Brick, which I will bring to town hall as mayor

Council candidates:

Name: Paul Louis Mummolo

Education: Two years Ocean County College

Number of years lived in Brick: 44

Occupation: Hospital Technology Specialists

Family: Married 31 years, two children & three grandchildren

Public Service: volunteer, Meals on wheels

I agree with John Ducey that the most important issues in Brick are property taxes and spending. We need a mayor who has a proven ability to handle those issues effectively because the most important quality for a mayor in Brick is fiscal responsibility. This is especially critical in the next couple of years, when we will have to deal with the ongoing effects from Superstorm Sandy and help homeowners still in need.

As a waterfront property owner, I am keenly aware of the need to address these issues.

I am very concerned about the other candidate for mayor – Joe Sangiovanni – and his three bankruptcies in the last six years, with over $1.6 million in unpaid debts. When he filed for personal bankruptcy in 2010, his lack of self control in personal spending really became obvious. When someone runs up $145,000 in credit card debt on 26 credit cards, and then defaults, he has a serious spending problem. It frankly scares me that this guy wants to manage a $95 million budget for Brick.

It’s probably not surprising that Sangiovanni spends our tax dollars the same way.
He's spent $22 million on Traders Cove park! We should call the Traders Cove project like it is. It’s Brick’s money pit. We were promised a pristine park at no cost, and now it is the most expensive taxpayer- funded property in the history of Brick. We desperately need a change in direction for Brick, and to do that, we need a new mayor, who has a clear sense of fiscal responsibility, like John Ducey does.

I have been a resident of Brick since I was a child. I graduated from Brick High School. My wife Kathy and I have raised our two children in Brick. I now have three grandchildren that I am very proud of. I have discovered that the old saying is true – children are good, but grandchildren are great! I hope that my children and grandchildren will have the same opportunity to live in this great town that I’ve had, but I recognize that we need a dramatic change of direction if that will come true. That’s why I am proud to be running for Brick Council on the team with John Ducey, who I sincerely hope will be our next Mayor.

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Name: Marianna C. Pontoriero

Education: BA in Psychology, Cum Laude, Adelphi University and Juris Doctorate from Rutgers, Camden--School of Law

Number of years lived in Brick: 9 years

Occupation: Attorney Family: Married with 2 children-Antonio, age 6 and Bella, age 22 months and one 5 month old foster child.

Public Service: Vice President, Board of Directors of Harbor House (Volunteer), No publicly held jobs

We need to manage our resources and our township budget in a way that continues to provide good services to our residents at an affordable cost. That has not been done for the past eight years. I have young children and want to see our strong recreation programs continue, but we should be spending our tax dollars wisely on programs for our children and for our seniors. Under the Acropolis-Sangiovanni administration, however, our tax dollars have been used to pay back political contributors, to reward their friends and family members with high-paying patronage jobs, and to spend exorbitant amounts on their pet projects like the Traders Cove park. That is the wrong direction for Brick.

We need a fresh start, with new leadership, and most importantly with a mayor who has demonstrated the kind of fiscal responsibility that the Acropolis-Sangiovanni administration has been woefully lacking. I am proud to be a member of the Ducey Team, and if elected to the Township Council, I will work to take Brick in a new, fiscally responsible direction.

I have a wonderful family with three small children and operate my own business here in Brick, with my sister, Susan. I love to speak to residents every chance I get, whether at the ballfields, in my neighborhood Walgreens, or even in my office. Many residents have stopped by my office just to chat and give me their thoughts on Brick and our community, which I appreciate. I hope to be a member of the Township Council whom every single resident believes they can approach, have a conversation with, and have their needs and issues addressed. Brick needs responsive government officials, not officials who dictate to or threaten our residents. I’m sure you remember Sangoiovanni’s tax referendum in 2011 -- “You better vote to raise your own taxes 24% or we’ll stop picking up your trash!” I ask that on Election Day, you remember also that we need a new direction, and please vote for the Ducey Team

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Name: Heather deJong

Education: Graduate of Point Pleasant Boro High School and a Bachelors degree from Moravian College

Number of years lived in Brick: 4

Occupation: Finance Director Family: My Father, Mother and Brother all live in Point Pleasant Boro.

Public Service: no prior service besides volunteering

When John Ducey asked me to be on his team, I looked forward to working to make our township government more open and transparent. Too often, during the past eight years when Councilman Joe Sangiovanni and Mayor Steven Acropolis ran the town, residents would have no idea what was going on because everything was discussed behind closed doors. The only certainty was that our property taxes would go up.

When John was sworn in to Council in 2012, he made sure to keep government open and our property taxes in check and as a result as Council President he created a bipartisan Citizens Budget Committee. He took the committees input to create the budgets that kept our municipal taxes at a 0% increase for 2012 and 2013. It’s time to let our residents know what is going on, to have input on major decisions and to debate our policies and direction. We shouldn’t have issues, like the exorbitant spending on Traders Cove Park, which already costs more than the Lakewood Blue Claws Stadium to build, only to be told to residents after the decisions have already been made. As a member of the Township Council, I pledge that discussions and issues will be transparent, open and decided with the input of residents.

This is my first run for elected office and I am excited and looking forward to opening up the doors of government. I moved to Brick and more specifically my community of Cape Breton because of the lower taxes, neighborhood and proximity to our rivers and beaches. After Super Storm Sandy, I saw first hand the devastation to my community and was abhorred to find out that Mayor Acropolis awarded a $1million, no-bid contract to politically connected engineering firms within days of those firms contributing the legal, maximum donation to the ENTIRE Sangiovanni ticket’s campaign. That million dollars earmarked for Sandy victims, could have gone toward sheet-rocking 500 damaged homes from the storm and instead, lined the coffers of those who benefited. On Council, I look forward to supporting John Ducey and his focus on fiscal responsibility. We need someone who respects the Mayor’s seat, has a keen sense of right and wrong and who will work hard to get the town’s finances under control. I urge you to get out on Election Day and vote for the Ducey Team, Column B for Brick because Brick deserves better.

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Name: Domenick Brando

Education: Bachelor's degree in construction, engineer and technology Farleigh Dickinson 

Number of years lived in Brick: since 1995 

Occupation: Emergency management coordinator at Brick MUA

Family: Wife and two sons, ages 16 and 13

Public service: I am still very active with baseball, and have served on the planning board, board of adjustment, and as a volunteer firefighter.

As I sit and seek re-election to a second term as a councilman I look at the unforeseen issues of the last four years, we had a major snow storm of 36", an earthquake, a microburst storm, a historical referendum, Hurricane Irene, and Superstorm Sandy. I have sat on all republican council and a split council.

The most critical issue at this time is getting all of our residents who were damaged by Superstorm Sandy back into their homes. This is townwide initiative because of the ripple effects that it has on every single taxpayer in town. We must get these properties back on the tax rolls so the shortfall is not put on our taxpayers. We need to keep a realistic time schedule of road replacement and infrastructure repairs. We need to finish what we started with out park beautification program, and once these parks are complete keep up on the maintenance of them and not let them sit there for 20 years as past administrations did. Also a critical area for me as a retired Police Officer is the safety of our residents and the new wave of drugs and crime that is trying to infiltrate our community. I have worked very closely and will continue to work with our police department in keeping public safety a priority. I will also aggressively look for continued ways to used shared service programs and public/private partnerships to complete some of the current and future projects to ease the taxpayer burden.

As a taxpayer I have the same concerns every taxpayer has. Is Brick Township going to stay affordable where my family can live and still receive a high level of service? I will continue to ask the touch questions of what I feel about issues and not to be guided by any public agendas. I will continue to find ways to have zero municipal tax increases as we have had the past two years. There is currently a split of four democrats and three republicans on the council, I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner with the council as I've done for the past 2 years and not let politics interfere with our goals. Yes, it is good to question council members; even members of your own party because it eliminates rubber stamping and creates an interaction of ideas between all council members. Recovering from major damage to our home during Super Storm Sandy, I know the feelings and emotions our residents are feeling, I will continue to work for all of our storm ravaged residents, because as I've stated the storm affected all taxpayers even if you had no damage. The cop in me will last forever and my pursuit of Public Safety for our residents will not waiver. Lastly I have been honored to serve the residents of Brick the last 4 years, and I am once again asking for your vote to support me so that I can continue to serve you and make us proud when we say we live in Brick Township.

I believe I'm going to get elected because I've done a good enough job, and I'll be the councilperson with the most experience. There isn't a lot of experience there on other side, think even though I only have four years on the Council, I have been involved with going to town meetings for 10-12 years.

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Name: Victoria Chadwick


Education:  Graduated from Brick Township High School in 2005; Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 2010

Number of years lived in Brick: 26 Years

Occupation: Juvenile Detention Officer 

Public Service: I'm a catechist at St. Peter's Church in Point Pleasant Beach; a member of the Brick Rotary Club; a member of the Brick Historical Society; and a Civil War reenactor

Brick Township was and continues to be a wonderful township to grow up in and make a permanent residence.  My vision and hope for the town I grew up in is for Brick to remain a financially strong town after the wake of Superstorm Sandy through stabilized taxes; a town where people have the desire to move and stay here because of our great sense of community. 

We will continue to grow and be strong through the challenges we have faced and continue to face.  We can do this by remaining financially strong through aiding our residents in the rebuilding and grants process.  It is time to bring our fellow residents home.  Leaders in this town need to make careful considerations of our redevelopment and government services.  This town needs to increase its shared services and review our departments to make necessary changes in order for increased efficiency for our residents and employees.  This is a town founded in tradition and pride.  As a community we have proven time and again our commitment to this town and each other. Decisions that are made in the near future need to be what is best for the township and its residents. This will come from dedicated leaders who know what it means to give back and continue this town’s full recovery and progress. The Sangiovanni team is the team that has the knowledge, commitment and compassion to serve and lead.

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Name: John Ciocco
Education: MBA in Executive Management from St John's University New York
Number of years lived in Brick: since 1997 - 16 years

Occupation: Owner of a Home Healthcare company,  Home Helpers of Monmouth County.  I provide Home Health Aids and Companions to seniors and those that need assistance at home.

Public Service:  Current President of the Brick Morning Rotary and I have held positions on the executive board and board of directors throughout my membership since 1999   Commissioner - Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority since 2008 Commissioner of Housing - Brick Township Housing Authority 2006 to 2008 BMAC - 2010 - 2012   

I bring over 20 years of management experience in the Securities Industry which includes Operations Management, Project Management, Customer Service Management  My business experience as well as my Public Service experience gives me a unique combination of experience which will enable me to hit the ground running when elected since I am familiar with how a government entity functions.

My goal is to use my business background and strong management skills to make Brick government more efficient and cost effective and stabilize our tax rates and keep Brick the affordable and safe Shore community that we all love.

My extensive management and local government experience will enable me to do this. I have always been to be able to analyze any situation and make decisions that lead to efficient use of limited resources while keeping performance and standards above expectations.

My opponents represent the failed philosophy of Trenton and North Jersey Democrats. Their colleagues have spent the past two years implementing these policies in Brick. Their ideas have made northern NJ the over taxed, overcrowded community that we have all moved to Brick to escape.

I made Brick my family's home to get away from this type of decline and will work to prevent it from taking hold in Brick. For the past two years my opponents and their colleagues have taken a direction which will lead to financial instability and high taxes. They plan to add employees, create new unnecessary positions, and purchase unneeded equipment. Their delays in passing capital two budgets have led to cost over runs and the closing of neighborhood playgrounds. With your vote, we will take office and continue to represent you with a strong active opposition of these policies on the council and the mayor's office. We will represent your voice and the sensible interests of all Brick residents

BOARD of EDUCATION CANDIDATES:

Name: Karyn (Calabro) Cusanelli

Education: Monmouth University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing Concentration, Communication minor, 1989; Brick Township Memorial High School, Class of 1985; Attended Veterans Memorial Middle School, Veterans Memorial Elementary School, and Herbertsville Elementary School

Number of years lived in Brick: 43 years

Occupation: Marketing Consultant

Family: Married to Nicholas Cusanelli almost 24 years; we are proud parents of Marissa Cusanelli (21 years old) and Gianna Cusanelli (19 years old), who both graduated from Brick Township Memorial High School and currently attend Monmouth University.  My parents, Art Yorke Calabro and Jo Ann Calabro, still reside in Brick.

Public Service: Currently serving a one-year, unexpired term on the Board of Education; I was elected last November and sworn-in January 2013.

Issues I see as critical:

STEM.  I would like to see continued emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering. & Math) education in our district.  Our students need curriculum and training in these areas to prepare them for career success in the future.  The administration and teachers have already recognized this reality, and a board who continues to support their efforts is critical.

COMMUNICATION.  As the chair of the Communications and Public Engagement Committee, I have been working with the Technology Department to make improvements to the district website.  It is imperative that parents are able to access information they may need, and most people go to the website as their first resource.  I would like to see continued efforts to keep content and information current.  The committee is also working with the district on an informative newsletter, to be put out three times per year.  While there has been tremendous improvement in the communication between the district and the parents, there is still a need for more progress.  As a parent, I know this was one of my biggest sources of frustration; if we can be successful in establishing effective communication between school and home, we benefit every individual student, and the district as a whole.


SHARED SERVICES.  The impact of recent economic times, the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and rising costs for healthcare (for families, schools, and municipalities) have created a very precarious fiscal situation.  The township and the schools MUST work together and embark on more shared services to minimize the burden to the taxpayers.  

Critical issues for the BOE to tackle in the next four years: 

FACILITIES.  Recent years have seen great improvements to our schools, including the new science labs at Brick High School and new gymnasium and auditorium at Brick Memorial High School.  While many improvements have been made, there are still many more projects ahead.  Heating and air conditioning, roof repairs, and other renovations are necessary.  The current board is committed to continuing to make renovations, while being fiscally conservative and innovative, and respectful of the taxpayers.  

CURRICULUM. Our superintendent has been diligent in moving the district into improved reading and math programs.   We need to continue the transition into better programs to ensure our students are getting the best preparation possible for the future.  State and federal mandatory testing and curricular requirements narrow curricula in some ways, but we need to find the balance between adequate test preparation and creating well-rounded students.  We also need to allow teachers to remain creative and unique.

PARCC TESTING.  The reality for NJ school districts is that PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing, which is tied to the new K-12 curriculum called the Common Core State Standards, is being mandated for our students.  We need to make sure our curricula prepare the students, as well as make sure we have the proper technology in place for this testing. 

I grew up in Brick Township, have been a Brick homeowner and taxpayer since 1991, and I chose to raise my own family here.  I am invested in the community I love, and I want every student who enters our schools to leave with a competitive education that will allow them to attain success in their careers, their pursuit of higher education, and as adults of character and integrity.  I come from a family of teachers, coaches, and administrators.  This, combined with being a lifelong resident, parent, and taxpayer, gives me a very wide perspective and the ability to relate on multiple levels.  I believe in encouraging children, maintaining high expectations, and providing tools for success to every student in our diverse district.  Brick may have changed since I was a child here, but there is one aspect of our community that has not changed—we truly value and support our children.  When our dedicated teachers and administrators, concerned parents, and a supportive board all work together with the priority of our children, we can achieve great things. 

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NAME: John Talty

EDUCATION: Osbornville Elementary School, Point Pleasant Beach High School

LIVED IN BRICK:  60 plus years

OCCUPATION:  Retired Chemical Laboratory Technician, Ciba Geigy.  Union President Local 8-562.

FAMILY: Married to Anne Talty, 50 plus years.  I have six sons, who all graduated from the Brick School District, and seven grandchildren, three of whom graduated from the Brick school district         

PUBLIC SERVICE:  Brick Board of Education 2004-2007, 2010 to present.  Serving as Vice President every year with the exception of the first year I was elected.

The reason why I am seeking re-election, which I consider to be my platform, is to continue my belief that there should be a balance between providing a quality education to the students of Brick Township while at the same time being fiscally responsible and considering the role of the taxpayer.

Having served on the Business and Finance Committee for several years, I have gained valuable experience in the fine balance which must be struck to achieve these goals.  I have made the hard decisions that have resulted in little to no increase in our school taxes.  I have been part of this decision making body which has afforded some of the lowest increases in over a decade, while achieving strides in academics and improvement in our facilities.  I have a proven record you can rely on.

The issues I have, and will continue to, address if re-elected, are many.  One of the most important issues is our aging facilities and how to continue to repair and maintain them while providing a safe and comfortable learning environment.  I, along with my fellow board members, are exploring many options as to how to achieve this very important goal, while maintaining a prudent budget for the taxpayers.

Another very important issue is delivering a quality education that prepares our students to go out in the world and compete in a global marketplace.  After being part of a board of education that chose a qualified leader in our new Superintendent, Dr. Walter Uszenski, we now have the leadership required to meet this demanding task.   My fellow board members and I have instituted a new reading program and a new and improved Math program, as well.  These new programs will provide the much needed continuity of instruction to make our students successful. 

After receiving a 1.9 million dollar grant, applied for by our Superintendent, we increased our technology to meet the current standards of the 21st century with no cost to the taxpayers.  We have a 1 to 1 laptop initiative for all high school students, and middle school students have Chromebooks.  Other lower grades have iPads, which are appropriate for that level.

Another priority is to address the increasing costs of our workers compensation insurance.  During our budget review, this was a tremendous financial burden, and one that does not directly benefit our students.  We need to develop ways to reduce and control this expense.  This is something our current board has been investigating and an issue I would like to continue to review.  I believe my experience in negotiating several of the school district’s union contracts will afford the district the much needed efficiencies and financial savings we are experiencing now and as we move forward.  

During my first term on the board, I went beyond the minimum training requirements and completed additional courses to become a Certified Board Member through New Jersey School Boards Association.   I have several years of experience as a board member, and have always made students and taxpayers the top priorities in making decisions.   

I think I have displayed honesty and character in the time I have served on the board.  I look at the employees of this district as family, and want the best for them.  I believe in treating every employee as I would like to be treated, which is fairly and with respect.   I believe in the team approach when interacting with my fellow board members.  There have been great improvements in our district in the past year, and I would like to see us continue to move in the right direction.  The seven members who currently serve on this board work well together and all bring unique strengths to the table.  It would be ideal to allow this existing board to continue to work for the betterment of the Brick Schools.


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Name of Candidate: David J. Fischer

Education: I have a BA in History from Montclair State University.

Number of Years in Brick: 8

Current Occupation: Self-employed:  Sales

I am also employed as a substitute teacher for the Freehold Regional High School District

Family: My wife and I own and live in a condo in Brick.

I have never held an elected office.

I would not institute any unnecessary new programs that would place an increased burden on the taxpayer.

I would evaluate current revenue programs and continue those programs that are showing positive cash flow.

I would insure that no money is spent unless it benefits the students.

I would promote and obtain greater business support for sponsoring all activities in our schools.

I would ensure that our BOE actively searches for donations and grants from not only businesses, state and federal agencies but also philanthropic organizations.

I would push for a stabilization of health and benefit program costs through a yearly evaluation.

I would require more justification from the various departments when they submit their yearly budget requests.

I would re-evaluate the use of cost-saving alternative power initiatives since not only in our district, but throughout the country, there have been great success stories with alternate energy sources.

I would ensure that the money and schedule is available for the proper maintenance of all facilities.

I would encourage the BOE to investigate more possibilities for shared services with the township.

I would ensure that the fees charged to outside organizations for use of our facilities cover the true cost.

I would look to save energy through proper insulation of our schools.

I would ensure, when we are offered matching funds, we take advantage of them and not just let them go to another district because of our inaction.

The Common-Core initiative has promoted great changes in our school system. We must adapt our academic programs to fit the mix of students and educators so as to maximize student learning potential. The laptop initiative recently taken by our Board of Education does not go far enough in this regard. In today’s technological world, we need all our students working with computers on a daily basis to aid in the learning process. To do this, we must tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience held by our devoted educators. We must also increase professional development in technology and in the current research that furthers our understanding of the learning process. School systems that have embraced technology have seen greater gains in student achievement.  I would task the superintendent of our schools with creating an environment where the teachers are free to bring new ideas to his attention, ideas that would be vetted with the goal of increasing academic excellence in all of our programs. Promptly adding, improving or removing programs that coincide with current research in education is the only way to keep our students on track to excel in their chosen educational and life careers. These programs would have to include using the latest in methods, technology and research as well as a strong partnership with colleges to insure that the correct direction is being taken by our schools.

I consider my background in education, technology and business qualifies me to represent the students and taxpayers of our community. Since I was 17, I have been working with technology and managing businesses.  I developed my team leadership skills and became proficient at implementing ideas as I elevated my hands-on self-taught experience to the level of managing small to multi-million dollar businesses. For the last 22 years, I have been operating my own successful sales business which allows me the flexibility to be available for all the duties of a board member. As a result of my business and educational background, I am well versed in conducting research which will allow me to investigate matters put before the Board. I have worked for many years in several school districts which has allowed me to gain insight into the operation of schools and the needs of the education community. I have many relatives who are educators and they are a rich resource for me whenever I need to discuss any aspect of education.  I do not have any self-interest in serving on the BOE other than to ensure that our students are afforded a well-rounded education, that our educators and other employees are treated fairly and that our community and taxpayers’ interests are not overlooked. I have every confidence that my education, technological and business background provides a good foundation for me to efficiently perform the duties of a member of the Brick Board of Education.

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Full Name : John Barton
Education:  Degrees  in Education, Psychology and Gerontology

Lived in Brick: 52 Years

Occupation: Education in NJ for 30 Years

Public Service: NJ Educators PRIDE Chairperson – Bringing Educators and Community Together; BMAC Committee – Friday Night Events, DART, Drug Resistance Awareness; OCIAL – Ocean County Intermediate Schools All Star Games for Fall, Winter, Spring; Brick Schools Technology Committee; Brick Schools Parent / Superintendent Advisory Committee; Animal Therapy Visits with my dogs

    Maintaining a safe school environment is mandated and it is an example of what a Board of Ed working together with the Administration should be doing.  The schools are largely in disrepair and that includes mold, facility conditions that are handled through normal maintenances, and the upgrading that keeps the learning environment vibrant and lively.   The new projects are bringing buildings up to code, not creating what the current administration calls “State of the Art”. 

    What has happened this year?  The water was shut off in at least 5 schools.  The incumbents were told the lead soldering was going to be trouble as the mandatory testing came around, yet they ignored it until they had to react to it.  Mold completely shut down the EEC and Drum Point has serious mold levels.

    It is the Superintendent’s job to inspect his buildings each year and deem them safe or have repairs completed to make them safe.  Since the Superintendent has proven himself  incompetent searching for molds, broken boilers, electrical problems,  and  the list goes on; as a Board Member,  I will be visible in the buildings  touring and recommending repairs to the Superintendent myself.

    You can’t forget this year’s expansion to full day kindergarten either, class size averages jumped from last year’s 17 to this year’s 25 students per class, not  at all acceptable.  The first order of business for me when elected to the Brick Board of Education will be to break up any class split with partitions; that is not acceptable, nor an educationally sound practice.

         There is not much I don’t already know about schools.   I attended Midstream’s Elementary School and then Emma for grades 5 and 6.  During the summer, when I was 11 years old, I worked as a custodian helper at Emma.  I was an Honor Student in the first class to graduate from Veterans Memorial Middle School.   The summer of that year, when I was 13 years old, I worked as a camp counselor aid at Camp Beadleston, helping children with special needs. I finished college and raised my family in Brick; I believe in Brick, and I think you will like what I represent.   I am committed to Brick families and  I am just like most of you are. I’m usually rushing to the game, going the store,  I get paid from work to pay the bills at home, and lately,  I am worrying about the world we are giving to our children.  There is a skill to being a people’s choice candidate and I believe I have that skill.  I hope we get to meet, please vote John Barton on November 5th.

     One more thing, I have learned that a school system is a place that will carry on with me or without me.  You can help me and your children by not voting for the incumbents.  If the incumbents lose their two incumbent seats, the Board of Education will become an honest Board working for you as a Public Service.  

Patch hopes this overview will help you in your decision-making for the election on Tuesday. Nov. 5.  


















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