Independent Challenger Files To Run Against Lacey Incumbents

LACEY, NJ — A challenger has entered the Lacey Township Committee race. Regina Discenza has announced her campaign against the incumbents, who were previously running unopposed.

Read More: Incumbents Running Unopposed For Lacey Township Committee

Discenza, 60, is challenging the incumbent Republicans as an independent candidate.

"No one should run unopposed - that defeats the very purpose of the election process," Discenza said in a press release announcing the campaign. "It’s the same reason I began to run for School Board many years ago - there were no choices - just the incumbents."

Discenza previously served two terms on the Lacey Township Board of Education. A Lacey resident for more than 22 years, she said she has spent more than 18 of those years attending various municipal and school meetings.

In the release, Discenza emphasized Oyster Creek needing "careful oversight" during the decommissioning process.

"The public has been given minimal information about the progress of dismantling Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Station," the release said. "To hear Jeff Dostal state the project is under budget and ahead of schedule makes you wonder if Holtec is cutting corners."

The release adds that there has also been no mention of disposal of radioactive water in the fuel pools.

Discenza has been married for 32 years and raised her two sons in Lacey. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College in Manhattan.

Discenza filed a municipal candidate petition with the County Clerk's Office in Toms River on May 2.

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email veronica.flesher@patch.com.