BRICK TOWNSHIP — The Brick mayoralty and control of the township council are at stake as next Tuesday’s general election approaches.
The mayoral race is for a two-year unexpired term, which is a result of former Mayor John Ducey resigning in February.
Democrat Lisa Crate, who was appointed mayor in February, and Republican John Catalano, who is leaving a state assembly seat to run for mayor, top a Nov. 7 ballot that also has eight candidates competing for four of the seven seats on the township council — four Democrats and four Republicans.
The Democratic council candidates are incumbents Vince Minichino, Derrick Ambrosino and Melissa Travers; and newcomer Steve Feinman.
The Republican council candidates are Mary Jonas Buckley, Theresa Gallagher, James Palmisano and Rocco Palmieri, all newcomers.
Going into the election, six of the council’s seven seats are held by Democrats — the three incumbents on the Nov. 7 ballot, as well as Council President Heather deJong, Council Vice President Andrea Zapcic and Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero. Republican Councilman Perry Albanese is the sole Republican on the governing body.
BRICK TOWNSHIP — The Brick mayoralty and control of the township council are at stake as next Tuesday’s general election approaches.
The mayoral race is for a two-year unexpired term, which is a result of former Mayor John Ducey resigning in February.
Democrat Lisa Crate, who was appointed mayor in February, and Republican John Catalano, who is leaving a state assembly seat to run for mayor, top a Nov. 7 ballot that also has eight candidates competing for four of the seven seats on the township council — four Democrats and four Republicans.
The Democratic council candidates are incumbents Vince Minichino, Derrick Ambrosino and Melissa Travers; and newcomer Steve Feinman.
The Republican council candidates are Mary Jonas Buckley, Theresa Gallagher, James Palmisano and Rocco Palmieri, all newcomers.
Going into the election, six of the council’s seven seats are held by Democrats — the three incumbents on the Nov. 7 ballot, as well as Council President Heather deJong, Council Vice President Andrea Zapcic and Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero. Republican Councilman Perry Albanese is the sole Republican on the governing body.
LISA CRATE
Democrat Lisa Crate was appointed mayor in February after former Mayor John Ducey resigned to accept a job as a Superior Court judge. Prior to being appointed mayor, Ms. Crate had served two terms, totaling eight years on the council.
Ms. Crate and her husband Will have two children, William and Colleen, who both graduated from the Brick public schools.
Born on Nov. 9, 1970, Ms. Crate received a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education from Georgian Court University.
In her professional career, Ms. Crate is a teacher in the Jackson School District.
In a message that was included in Ms. Crate’s candidate profile, she said, “If you want to know someone’s priorities, look at what they’ve done, rather than listen to what they say. We are proud of our record of stabilizing taxes, supporting our police force, preserving open space and stopping over development.”
“For 12 straight years, our team has kept municipal taxes stable, and this year, we had zero increase in municipal taxes, while maintaining and improving municipal services. We have increased the size of our police force to a record level, 146 full-time police officers. We have preserved over 800 acres of open space, and passed zoning laws to eliminate future high density development,” she said.
Ms. Crate said, “We will continue to make fiscal responsibility a priority. We have reduced municipal debt every single year since I was first elected and we will continue to reduce township debt and prioritize the needs and the pocketbooks of the residents.”
JOHN CATALANO
Republican mayoral candidate John Catalano has been serving as a state assemblyman in New Jersey’s 10th legislative district. Previously, he served on the Brick Township Council in 2011.
Mr. Catalano was born on Nov. 3, 1949. He and his wife Bethann Catalano have a daughter, Jenna Catalano.
Mr. Catalano received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in physical education and English from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas.
In his professional career, Mr. Catalano is the owner and operator of Country Store Jewelers in Brick Township and has owned it for over 35 years. He also previously owned and operated Country Store Deli and Luncheon for 26 years.
In a message that was included in Mr. Catalano’s candidate profile, he said, “All that Brick has become, and all that Brick will be is rooted in the talents, dedication, and hard work of the people. A significant shift we need is to return to receiving the rightful state funding for our schools. Brick Township places a great emphasis on both academics and athletics, and it is imperative that we receive our adequate fair share of funding to encourage families to choose Brick as their place to raise their children.”
He continued, “One of the greatest things about Brick, and the thing I love the most about it, is the people. We work together to maintain a vision of the future centered around safety and community. Recently, Brick Township has seen a rise in criminal activity and this situation requires immediate attention and action. We will accomplish this by establishing a task force with our public safety committee, the Chief of Police and other law enforcement officials from the Township, County Sheriff’s office and County Prosecutor’s Office. I want to bring our Township back to being one of the safest places in America to live.”
“In closing, I am confident that under my leadership, I will run a government that is efficient, effective, and fiscally sound. I will ensure that Brick remains affordable for our senior citizens and young families. A place that families want to make home,” said Mr. Catalano.
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
The eight township council candidates are seeking four-year terms. The four highest vote-getters will be elected.
DERRICK AMBROSINO
Democrat Derrick Ambrosino is seeking his first elected term on the Brick Township Council.
Mr. Ambrosino, who was born on Dec. 13, 1980, is a graduate of Brick Township High School, Rutgers University and Monmouth University.
In his professional career, Mr. Ambrosino has worked in various roles in sales and sales management within the technology sector for the past 20 years, with a focus on cloud-based software and services for the healthcare industry.
“I believe that, first and foremost, effective municipal government requires diligent fiscal responsibility, so that we can continue to deliver services that our community needs. I am a strong proponent of supporting our outstanding Police Department, supporting local businesses, providing services to our senior citizens, improving our parks and public spaces and sponsoring the public events [such as Summerfest, Farmers Market and Trader’s Cove Concerts] that make Brick a fantastic community,” said Mr. Ambrosino as a part of his candidate profile.
MARY BUCKLEY
Republican Mary Buckley is seeking election to the township council.
In her professional career, Ms. Buckley has been a physical therapist in Brick Township Schools for 24 years; physical and occupational therapist supervisor for Lakewood School District for two years; retired from school district and over the years contracted to other school districts such as Point Pleasant, Jackson Township and Toms River.
Ms. Buckley previously served on the New Jersey State Physical Therapy Licensing Board member for three years and held the secretarial position. She also served as a Brick Township County Committeewoman for two years and is an active serving board member of the Ocean County Senior Advisory.
Ms. Buckley and her husband Peter have five children.
“My primary objective is to restore transparency and accountability to the council and our local government. I believe all actions taken by the council and the municipal government should be in full view of the public, including discussion on why an item is approved or disapproved,” said Ms. Buckley in a message submitted for her candidate profile.
STEVE FEINMAN
Democrat Steve Feinman is seeking election to the township council.
Mr. Feinman is the owner and operator of Visiting Angels Homecare of Wall Township.
Born on April 28, 1980, Mr. Feinman received a degree from the University of Maryland [College Park].
“My priorities are very simple – provide the services our residents need, and continue to keep taxes stable,” said Mr. Feinman in a candidate profile message.
THERESA MARY GALLAGHER
Republican Theresa Mary Gallagher is seeking election to the township council.
Ms. Gallagher is a retired managing director at Citigroup.
Born on April 2, 1960, Ms. Gallagher received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University.
“I want this to be the go-to town for people relocating to the Jersey shore. Brick is still a very affordable area and the number one reason Brick attracts young middle-income families. If our town wants to capitalize on our relative affordability as a coastal town, we need to start by addressing concerns about the direction of the town. I’m observing an increase in crime,
the urbanization of our town, empty storefronts and schools that are overcrowded and underperforming,” said Ms. Gallagher, in a message from her candidate profile.
VINCE MINICHINO
Democrat Vince Minichino is seeking a second term on the township council.
Mr. Minichino, who was born on April 19, 1965, is a graduate of Jackson Township High School. In his professional career, Mr. Minichino works as a business agent for Teamster Local 469.
“We need to keep taxes stable, stop overdevelopment and build a strong community. We need to pay attention to what’s good for Brick and not let partisan politics distract us. My kids grew up in this town, my grandchildren live here now, and I think it’s a great place to live. I want to do my part to keep it that way. That’s why I’m running,” said Mr. Minichino as a part of his candidate profile.
JAMES PALMISANO
Republican James Palmisano is seeking election to the township council.
Mr. Palmisano is retired and owner of CIMS Gas Products. On his professional career, he said, he “Literally scratch started an entrepreneurial Industrial Gas Company in 2002, selling cryogenic gases, industrial gases, medical gases and specialty gases and related equipment. Acquired and integrated three companies and built it into a multi-million-dollar distributorship across nine states. Successfully operated the company for fourteen years before selling to a multinational global company. Before launching CIMS, I worked for multinational companies in various management positions.”
Mr. Palmisano is married to his wife of 41 years, Deborah Ann, who is a retired teacher in Newark and Asbury Park.
In 1991 he was appointed commissioner of the Brick Economic Development Commission, a position he held until 1992; in 1992 he became a trustee of the Republican Club of Brick Township; 1993 he was co-chairman, for taxpayers for a Brick Township; from 1992 to 1994 he was elected as a member of the Ocean County Republican County Committee; from 1993 to 1994 he was appointed as a member of the Brick Township Board of Adjustment; in 1996 he was elected as a Brick Township School Board member; and from 1996 to 1998, 2002 to 2004, 2004 to 2006, 2006 to 2008 and 2022 to 2024 he was elected as a member of the Ocean County Republican Committee.
Mr. Palmisano said in his message during his candidate profile is to “conduct township business in a respectful and responsible manner.”
ROCCO PALMIERI
Republican Rocco Palmieri is seeking election to the township council.
Mr. Palmieri is a retired Brick Township Department of Public Works assistant supervisor and is currently working with ARC of Ocean County.
Mr. Palmieri is married to his wife Johannah Palmieri and has two children.
Born on Dec. 30, 1961, Mr. Palmieri is a high school graduate.
In his message during his candidate profile, Mr. Palmieri said, “If elected, my priority will be transparency and strong leadership. Also, as a former employee of Brick Township, I would like to boost morale and strengthen the workforce.”
MELISSA TRAVERS
Democrat Melissa Travers is seeking her first elected term on the township council, having been appointed to fill a vacancy in March.
Ms. Travers, in her professional career, is a registered nurse, who will soon be a family nurse practitioner. She has worked as a float telemetry medical-surgical registered nurse since 2014. She previously worked at the former Kimball Medical Center, now known as Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, from 2011 to 2013.
Ms. Travers is married to her husband Ryan Travers and they have two sons, Will and Bruce.
Born on June 25, 1985, Ms. Travers received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Wesley College in 2011. She then received a master of science degree in nursing, with a family nurse practitioner focus, from Chamberlain University.
Ms. Travers, in her candidate profile, said, “As a registered nurse, my responsibility is to care for my patients’ health and comfort. As a Council Member, my responsibility is to take care of public money and see that needed services are provided in a fiscally responsible manner. Careful stewardship of public money is one of the most important duties of a public official. This year, we delivered a municipal budget with no tax increase. This makes me so proud to be a part of Mayor Lisa Crate’s team.”
WHERE TO VOTE ON NOV. 7
There are 57 voting districts in Brick Township. Polling places include: the Herbertsville Fire Company 1, Laurelton Fire Company 1, Brick VFW Post No. 8867, Church of Epiphany, Brick Visitation Church and the Brick Fellowship Chapel.
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