STONE HARBOR – The Borough Council has selected Kenneth Biddick to fill the council seat vacated when Tim Carney was elected as the borough’s new mayor last fall.

Biddick, a full-time resident of Stone Harbor since 2015, has a degree in accounting from Rutgers and spent much of his career in financial forensics and fraud examination.

Among his career stops, he worked for the accounting firm Ernst and Young in forensic accounting. Biddick, a CPA, currently has his own firm in Stone Harbor.

Council member Jennifer Gensemer, chair of the Committee on Administration and Finance, said, “We are fortunate to have Ken’s wealth of experience and strong commitment to Stone Harbor’s success on our council.”

Biddick’s background may be of timely value to the council, as Stone Harbor is currently undergoing a review of its finances and operations by state consultants from the Local Assistance Bureau.

Carney assumed the mayor’s office following the November elections, leaving behind two years of an unexpired term as a council member. Stone Harbor has a partisan government form, meaning that the local committee of the party that held that seat has the opportunity to suggest whom the council might appoint to fill the vacancy.

The mayor said the local Republican Committee sent over names of well-qualified candidates, any one of whom would have been an asset to the council. He did not say how many names were provided for the council’s consideration.

Following interviews and review of background material, the council decided Jan. 21 to appoint Biddick to the seat, which he can hold until the November 2025 general election. He must run and win that election to remain in the council seat for the second year of Carney’s unexpired term.

The agenda Jan. 21 did not offer Biddick an opportunity for remarks on his appointment.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.