UPDATE: Discenza, Bidwell Win Seats On Lacey Board Of Education

by Patricia A. Miller

Regina Discenza has tried for years to win a seat on the Lacey Township Board of Education. Tuesday night she made it.

Discenza was the top votegetter in the race for the two three-year terms on the board. She received 2,514 votes, or 21.38 percent. David Bidwell was second, with 2,357 votes. Robert Klaus II was third with 2,330 votes, followed by James S. Knoeller with 1,786 votes, Charles Kennis with 1,626 votes and James K. LeTellier with 1,626 votes.

Here is the campaign preview story published recently:

The race for the two three-year terms on the Lacey Township school board has not been without its drama.

Six people are vying for the three-year terms. And there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes by several factions grasping for control of the board.

.Here are the candidates:

Former board members James LaTellier, 2521 Smith Road, and James F. Knoeller, 100 Carriage Road, Lanoka Harbor, have filed to run again.

Township watchdog Regina Discenza, 233 Sunset Drive, Forked River has also filed to run. Discenza spearheaded the move to recall two board members for their part in the district’s solar project. But the Ocean County Clerk’s Office finally approved the petition papers in August, which didn’t give the petitioners enough time to gather 5,000 signatures so the matter could be placed on the November ballot.

Also running are Charles Kennis, 234 Quail Lane North, Lanoka Harbor, David Bidwell, 26 Ernest Drive, Lanoka Harbor, and Robert Klaus II, 743 Oxford Road, Lanoka Harbor.

Discenza said after she filed she received several calls from people in power - including State Senator Christopher J. Connors asking her not to run. The scuttle butt around town is that a certain faction wants to appoint Jerry J. Dasti to the position of board attorney.

When Discenza questioned Township Committeeman Mark Dykoff at a meeting last summer about whether one of his relatives was running, Dykoff erupted.

He demanded to know if Discenza has ever met or spoken with David Bidwell or Robert Klaus II, two of the newcomers who are running.

Discenza said no.

“But you accuse them of being in someone else’s pocket,” Dykoff said. “If that’s the type of person you are, God help us if you are elected to the school board. God help us. You should be ashamed of yourself, disparaging their good name.”

Dykoff was later issued an assault summons after a Republican Club gathering on Sept. 14 at Gille Park. He punched Township Committeeman David E. Most in the face over a dispute over the candidates. The matter is slated to be heard on Nov. 18 in Manchester Township Municipal Court.