TOMS RIVER – The Democrats’ candidate for the Ward 2 Township Council election changed recently.
Susan Payne Gato was slotted to compete in that election. The new candidate is Zachary Dougherty.
Toms River is divided into four wards. Ward 2 includes much of the northeastern part of the town.
Each ward has a council member representing them. There normally wouldn’t be a municipal election this year. However, Daniel Rodrick was the Ward 2 councilman when he won the mayor’s race last year. This left a vacuum that is currently filled by Councilman George Lobman. Lobman did not want to run for the seat in November. Instead, the Republicans will be represented by William Byrne.
Since Rodrick was already into his term when he won the mayor’s seat, there’s just one more year left on his old council term. So, whoever wins – Byrne or Dougherty – would have to decide to run again next year for a full, four year term.
Toms River Board Of Education
There are two, three-year terms on the Board of Education representing Toms River on the ballot this year.
Dominick Farro is using the slogan “Education, Transparency, Accountability.”
Lisa Contessa is using the slogan “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Maria Matarazzo and Diane Oxley are using the slogan “Students First.”
Jennifer Howe is using the slogan “Advocating Educational Funding.”
Beachwood’s representative on the Toms River Board of Education, Melissa Morrison, resigned but did so after the deadline for her seat to be on the ballot.
The deadline for applications to replace her was August 19. Officials said the Board of Education will review all timely submitted applications and will implement a screening process to fill the Beachwood Board Member vacancy. The new person is expected to serve from September of 2024 through December of 2025.
Island Heights
The Island Heights representative on the Central Regional Board of Education, Susan Cowdrick, is running for re-election to a three-year term. No one filed a petition to run against her.
Ocean Gate
There are two, three-year terms available on the Borough Council. Two Republicans, James H. Fry and Russell Ernst and one Democrat, Dennis O’Leary, Jr. have filed to run.
There are two, three-year terms on the ballot for the Ocean Gate Board of Education. Scott Vosper and Andrew Scott don’t have slogans, but Daniel Fleming’s slogan is “Children First Always.”
No one filed a petition to run for an unexpired two-year term.
Pine Beach
Republicans James Saxton and James Keesling are running for the two, three-year terms on the Borough Council. No Democrats filed to run.
South Toms River
There are two, three-year terms on the Borough Council on the ballot. Republicans Sam Fennell and Kayla Rolzhausen will compete with Democrats GiGi Esparza and Denise Davis.
The South Toms River spot on the Toms River Board of Education is available. Joseph Jubert (Honesty, Integrity, Tradition) and Krista Whittaker (Make STR Matter) are running against each other for the three-year term.
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