Giacomo “Jack” Antonicello, a retired fire captain with the city of Jersey City, has been pounding the pavement as he gathered more signatures for his candidacy to appear on the ballot than his two opponents combined!

Each day, Antonicello walks the streets of West Cape May speaking to over 450 residents so far, meeting the constituents and asking them about their concerns, and discussing the issues. Antonicello is displaying a strong grassroots effort with voters as his “Back Jack” lawn signs have created a local buzz here in West Cape May.

“My campaign is optimistic, transparent, and listening to the electorate. I’m putting West Cape First, because that’s what residents expect,” offered the candidate. “We have posted lawn signs throughout the community and the word of mouth for the campaign has been receptive and welcoming. Small things are big things,” noted Antonicello.

“Preserving and retaining a strong local democracy is what my campaign is all about. Two of the three members of the Board of Commissioners were appointed within this year or less and not elected. I’m running to be that elected commissioner that will place effective public policy over petty local politics.” Antonicello, a Leaming Avenue permanent resident, his wife Jennifer, a high school English teacher at Wildwood Catholic and has six children and two grandchildren. Antonicello will be coaching varsity baseball come the spring of 2024 at Wildwood Catholic.

Antonicello earned his bachelor of science degree in 1986 @ John Jay College in NYC. A former Hudson County Probation Officer, joined the Jersey City Fire Dept in 1987 and then graduated the police academy in 1991, becoming an arson investigator with the JCFD and retired with the rank of Captain after 30 years of service in 2017.

This week Antonicello and his wife attended a “meet and greet” with about a dozen residents and enjoyed an open and frank discussion on the future of the community. “Retaining our unique, quality-of-life and community character is certainly on the minds of voters. There are distinct concerns regarding future development and certain kinds of businesses that are in conflict with our overall appeal,” noted the candidate.

Antonicello said his objective as an elected official is to retain our image and reputation as the “quaint and quirky” community it was once touted as and to protect our homeowners from unnecessary overdevelopment and gentrification.

“West Cape May needs to be enhanced and retained as small, special, and safe. As a retired public safety official and former first responder, I have the resume and experience to hit the ground running. I believe I am that candidate that is capable and qualified to best represent our residents and I am seeking to be commissioner of public safety come Election Day,” said Capt. Jack.

For more information on the campaign, e-mail Antonicello at jackantonicello@gmail.com or call 862-686-0185.

Ordered and paid for by the Committee to Elect Giacomo “Jack” Antonicello

165 Leaming Ave. West Cape May, NJ 08204