Gov.-Elect Murphy Urges Collaboration At Brick Reorganization

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township Mayor John Ducey promised to continue to cut the township's debt while building on four years of efforts to make the township more attractive to families as he was sworn in to a second term of office on Monday.

Gov.-Elect Phil Murphy administered the oaths of office to Ducey, along with Marianna Pontoriero and Paul Mummolo, who both were re-elected to the council. Heather deJong, who also was re-elected as part of the Democratic sweep, was sworn in by Judge Mark Troncone.

In remarks before swearing in Ducey, Murphy said collaboration is the key to making the state better for all residents.

"This is a time for the state to close ranks and work together," Murphy said. "This isn't a question of what party you're in, it's a question of smart government and doing what's best for all constituents."

"We are a lot stronger if we get there together and it will last a lot longer," Murphy said.

Ducey, who was joined by his wife. Deirdre, and son Jack and his mother, Eileen, for the oath, pledged to continue to build on the last four years, which have included a reduction in the township's debt while a refurbishment of parks and a growth in activities geared toward families.

"I do not take those words I said lightly," Ducey said.

He said the reduction in the township's debt — a decrease of more than $17 million over the last four years, nearly three times the goal of a $6 million — will continue to be a focus and said the goal is to reduce it by another $6 million by the end of his next term.

"That's what gets you fiscal sustainability," he said.

Ducey also cited several programs instituted to continue to fight the battle against opioid addiction, including the revivial of the Brick Municipal Anti-Drug Coalition, the Blue HART program and the adoption of the #NotEvenOnce program that was started in Manchester. The Blue HART program, which Brick piloted along with Manchester, has led to 250 people going into treatment for heroin addiction, he said.

The program to refurbish and reconstruct the township's parks will address Bernie Cook and Cedar Bridge Manor parks, he said.

"The problems we face as a town and a country are too vast for government to solve alone," Ducey said, urging residents to focus on small changes that begin with being kind to each other.

"It's letting that person out of the jughandle in front of you. Moving out of the right lane if you're going straight to let people make the right on red. Letting someone make the left turn in front of you at (Route) 88 and Van Zile. Not blocking the box or making an illegal right-hand turn off (Route) 70 the light onto Duquesne."

"These are all quality of life things that if they could just be resolved and we were kind to each other, make people's lives better," Ducey said.

In addition to the oaths of office, deJong was voted council president and Councilwoman Lisa Crate was selected as the council vice president. Pontoriero, who spent much of 2017 battling a rare form of oral cancer, announced that she had been declared cancer-free and said she will be focused on the health committee that will be formed to provide support to others in town who lack family nearby to help as they face difficult health challenges.

See videos below of the full swearing-in ceremonies with Murphy and Ducey's full remarks.

Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff