Manasquan Election Profile: Patricia Connolly For Borough Council

MANASQUAN – Three people have filed to run for election in the Manasquan Council primary election on Tuesday, but there's only one Republican who is vying for one of two seats.

Patricia Connolly will be unopposed in the July 7 Republican primary and, unless independents file to run, will face Michael Mangan, the council president, and Councilman Jeffrey Lee in the November election.

The primary was delayed from June 2 to July 7 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Absentee options will be available for voters.

Connolly, who has served on the council before, is retired with a background in financial services, human resources, labor negotiations and management.

Patch submitted a question-and-answer form to Connolly, who provided information on why she's running and what she's promising. Contact Tom Davis at tom.davis@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile.

Family

Husband, Mario Gentile, whom I met on the Brielle Road Beach in Manasquan.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

MBA-New York University; BA Rutgers University

Occupation

Retired. Experience: financial services, human resources, labor negotiations, management

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Served two non-consecutive terms on Manasquan Borough Council

Why are you seeking elective office?

I care about good government and can work full-time to serve the people. I know the municipal budget as well as the water/sewer budget do not stand alone, but they combine into one property tax burden.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic on an economic, personal, and emotional basis with limited knowledge of the future. Communications through our local television station, including televising council meetings, is essential, as well as working effectively on how tax dollars should be conserved.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I would use public referendum on any costly proposal, restrain from inflated expenditures that add to our debt responsibility; use my financial education and years of business experience and governing body experience to build good government before politics.

In what way has the current officeholders failed the community (or district or constituency)

Sea Watch property was purchased 2005 with funding by NJGREEN ACRE PROGRAM.THEBEACH AND LAND WAS DECLARED OPEN SPACE FOR PUBLIC CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, IN PERPETUITY.

An attempt in 2018 to declare it dilapidated and detrimental to the safety, health and welfare of the community was announced by the current council.

Plans were talked about to build a restaurant with office space.

Problem was that all Green Acre property is protected. There is even a sign on the property. A lack of research and knowledge showed money spent on an attempt that never should have been made by the current officeholders. Promises to eliminate the three bungalows site and to extend parking for the public have not been done. In addition, parking, if done by a lottery, must be open to all residents in the state of New Jersey. The first-come first-served system seems to have worked best in the past and why not consider that for the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Encourage the respect and concern for Manasquan Police Department.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Having served two non-consecutive terms on Borough Council, I was Chair of Administration/Finance Committee, member of Labor Negotiations Committee, Cable Advisory Committee, Open Space Committee, Personnel Committee.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

DO JUSTICE, LOVE KINDNESS, WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD!

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

I WILL ESTABLISH CONVENIENT HOURS FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH ME.