WILDWOOD CREST – Mayor Don Cabrera, who finished as the top vote-getter in a field of nine in the Nov. 4 balloting, says he ran for reelection to the Board of Commissioners to take care of unfinished business.
Cabrera, who had said this would be his last term if he won, said, “After the results were in some people were telling me don’t stop after this term, but I don’t know. I can just say I will do the best I can to work with Toni (Fuscellaro) and Joe (Franco) to get some things over the finish line.”
“When we went door to door I compiled the notes, and we have a whole list that we will be adding to our agenda.”
Cabrera received 1,011 votes, besting even his teammates by 300 votes each. Deputy Mayor Franco was reelected with 711 votes, and newcomer to the board Fuscellaro received 708 votes.
Commissioner Joe Schiff came in fourth in the race for three seats, with 399 votes. The next-closest candidates were David Thompson with 355 votes, Michael Marino with 334 and David Bannon with 330. Former public works superintendent Joe Bond received 227 votes, and Robert Bethel finished with 64. Write-ins received 13 votes.
Cabrera received more votes than he did four years ago, when he won about 900.
He said the issues he was hearing about in the campaign were mainly project-related matters, such as the Five Mile Dune Project, which was canceled by the Army Corps of Engineers last week.
He also said there are public safety issues, such as regulating e-bikes and e-scooters, which the state Legislature might take up.
The mayor said that parking continues to be an issue in the borough that will never be 100% solved, but that there are some things that can be done.
“There are continual improvements to be made to infrastructure; New Jersey Avenue and the business district,” he said, adding that roads such as Atlantic and Ocean avenues are in need of reconstruction. He said people are also asking for more crosswalks to be painted, noting that thousands of people walk from the west side of the borough to the beach.
Cabrera could not say if Fuscellaro would take over as director of public safety after Schiff, who now has that assignment, finishes his term. He said there would have to be a lot of discussion on the matter to see who is the best match and whose experience and background makes for the best fit.
Additionally, the commissioners will revisit hiring a new borough administrator to replace Connie Mahon, who retired. The borough’s chief financial officer, Francine Springer, has been operating as the interim administrator, with municipal clerk Patricia Feketics acting as deputy administrator.
“We are getting by, but there is a lot going on out there and a lot of things that require more time than they can spend on it. We will probably start the process all over again,” the mayor said.
Franco, who was contacted by email, said the commissioners would continue to focus on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure improvements, environmental sustainability and maintaining a high quality of life in Wildwood Crest.
He said the borough would also continue to strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal leaders, support local businesses, and invest in projects that enhance neighborhoods and public spaces.
Fuscellaro encouraged those she did not have a chance to speak with during the campaign to reach out to her, saying, “My door is always open.” She said, as a commissioner, her phone number and email address would be available to all residents so she can help address their concerns.
“I will make sure we continue to have beautiful beaches, clean, safe streets and a financially stable community,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to work for the Borough of Wildwood Crest.”
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
