Two Democrats and three Republicans have filed petitions to run in their respective primaries ahead of this year’s Township Committee race.
Two seats on the committee are open this year – those of Leonard Morano, the Committee’s lone Democrat, and Republican Martin Lisella. With the only Democratic-held seat open, the Nov. 8 general election has the potential to result in a fully Republican Committee.
Morano and Lisella have both filed petitions to keep their seats, said Township Clerk Kathleen T. West.
Democrat Michael P. Howard will run alongside Morano, and the Democratic primary election will be uncontested.
But Republican voters will have three options: Lisella, former Committee member Maxine Blumenthal and challenger Philip J. Checchia.
The primaries will be held Tuesday, June 7. The deadline for voters to declare a change in party affiliation is Monday, April 18, and the deadline to register in order to vote in the primary Tuesday, May 17.
The primary candidates:
- Leonard Morano, 34 Highland Drive (Incumbent Democrat)
- Michael P. Howard, 22 Birdsall Street (Democrat)
- Martin Lisella, 15 Shady Stream Road (Incumbent Republican)
- Maxine Blumenthal, 160 Brighton Road (Republican)
- Philip J. Checchia, 12 Windward Drive (Republican)
Check Barnegat Patch tomorrow for more details and input from those running.
It is a flaming disgrace and an insult to every Barnegat resident that we lost 3 police officers via attrition, the number of township meetings was cut by 50% but yet they have the unmitigated gall to accept these windfall benefits. Their running mates need to speak out on this issue, too. The people who lost their jobs and those who lost their homes need to be remembered. End this outrage - now.
I believe it accurate that Mr. Checcia is outspoken. I also believe his outspokenness is motivated by his frustration in seeing our town be the victim of broken and false promises and, of course, skyrocketing taxes. Perhaps the logical question is not whether Mr. Checcia can do any better but can he do any worse? Fresh ideas and the courage to stand up and speak out is a quality sorely needed if Barnegat is to break-free from the tailspin that has cost each and every one of us so much of our hard-earned money. Will I vote for Mr. Checcia on Election Day? Yes, I believe I will.
Frankly I hope he wins the primary "off the line". That way he's independent of the GOP machine. BTW, Michele Rosen is a great choice for Dems as Freeholder candidate. Joe Vicari has been mooching off taxpayers as Freeloader since 1981, and as the full-time superintendent of Berkeley township schools. When he retires his pension will be more than what the average working person makes. Then he has the chutzpah to assert that workers on unemployment compensation have no incentive to look for jobs.
I also will keep my promise as to take no salary and contribute all of the net to Monsignor Ken's Kitchen and the Barnegat Bood Bank eqully.Medical benefits I will not take. Our township will not be divided as Mr.Lisella mentioned at the last township meeting refering to the $7,000,000 our newest residents pay in the forever rising taxes and budjest enacted by the current 5 members.Our residents are all Barnegat residents Township with input at our township meeting with answers to their concerns and town hall will be open for their business and no decisions will made by any one councilman including the apointed chair of the committee.A quasi titled mayor has no more influence than the other elected members and will be stopped from any of the lone ranger type decisions that were made such as fields and boat races. We are elected to govern this township not control it.Public portions will be the people's forum for all of Barnegat to redress and give input to the governing body more than 5 minutes if needed I say.
I am focused on our resident adults and children needs and will lead with "Taxed Enough Already".
Finally, someone who puts fairness ahead of greed. I repeat, will I vote for Mr. Checcia? Yes, I most assuredly will.
The silence will be ear shattering.
What are your ideas for cutting spending in Barnegat? Will you support further new home building? How will you stem the flow of residents from Barnegat? How do you feel about the committee's decision to not allow a home travel team access to Barnegat's home field? How will you work to bring the community together? How will you encourage new business to come to Barnegat & stop others from leaving? Do you believe a 19 year old who lives at home, doesn't work, hasn't had a personal budget, whose 2 parents BOTH work for the school system and wants to become a teacher is a good choice on the BOE & with input on how $50 million is spent? Do you believe school fields should be open to the public when not being used? No charge? Do you have family working in the township or in the schools? What is your main reason for running for committee? Thank you.
I am anxiously awaiting your responses to the above questions. You are so well-spoken and seem to have common sense, something that is missing in many areas of government today. I look forward to your answers.