Team pledges progress, transparency, and continuity with plans to enhance Wildwood Crest while keeping taxes stable.
Mayor Don Cabrera, Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco, Jr., and Board of Education President Toni D. Fuscellaro have officially announced their bid for office. Cabrera, has served as Mayor for the past eight years.
Cabrera stated, “It has been an honor to serve the residents of Wildwood Crest. With continued community support, our team will work to preserve the borough’s unique charm while ensuring that it remains strong, safe, and vibrant for generations to come.”
The team, running under the banner Leadership for Tomorrow’s Wildwood Crest, promised to maintain fiscal stability while advancing major infrastructure, public safety, and community projects by maximizing grant opportunities.
Team’s Plan for the Next Four Years:
- Keep Taxes Stable: Practice fiscal responsibility and maximize grant opportunities to reduce the burden on residents.
- Protecting Beaches: Oppose Army Corps/DEP plans that reduce width or access, preserving beach quality and availability.
- Volunteer Fire Company Support: Sustain the volunteer model to maintain service while avoiding costly transitions to paid service.
- Stormwater Mitigation: Install pump stations, reinforce bulkheads, expand piping, and strengthen flood-prevention systems.
- Roadway Reconstruction: Upgrade New Jersey Avenue and Park Boulevard, with continued side street paving for safety and appearance.
- Parking Improvements: Add spaces at parks, improve striping, and enhance traffic flow.
- Revitalize NJ Avenue Business District – The Crest Station: Streetscape upgrades, redevelopment initiatives, landscaping, and pedestrian-friendly design.
- Municipal Facilities: Update Municipal Hall and Police HQ and provide ADA-compliant improvements at Crest Pier and Von Savage Pool restrooms.
- Bike Path Improvements: Expand paths, add oceanfront connections, designate bike lanes, improve lighting, and enforce e-bike/scooter safety rules.
Candidate Biographies:
Mayor Don Cabrera
Don Cabrera has proudly served as Mayor of Wildwood Crest since 2018, bringing decades of experience as a civic and business leader. Don has overseen transformative projects including roadway reconstruction, flood mitigation, municipal facility upgrades, and the expansion of recreational amenities including his state recognized Wellness Campaign.
Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco Jr.
Joseph Franco Jr., a third-generation Crest resident, has served as Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of Revenue & Finance for Wildwood Crest since 2021. His tenure has been marked by measurable fiscal accomplishments, including improving the borough’s credit rating, modernizing operations with upgraded technology, and securing more than $125,000 in grants for infrastructure and departmental improvements.
Toni D. Fuscellaro
Toni D. Fuscellaro has combined a successful legal career with a passion for public service and education. Since 2016, she has served on the Wildwood Crest Board of Education, where she currently holds the position of President. Her leadership has been defined by advocacy for students, teachers, and families. Raised in the Wildwoods, Fuscellaro attended St. Ann School and Wildwood Catholic before earning her B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University Maryland and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law.
