BURLEIGH – The Middle Township Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidates night at the Shore Club in Burleigh. Fourteen candidates seeking Middle Township voter support briefly presented their cases for positions ranging from the District 1 state senate seat to the local school board.
Each candidate was given five minutes for a presentation. They were asked to focus on the positive aspects of their candidacy and not on negatives about opponents. A question-and-answer period followed.
Legislative District 1 Races
State Sen. Michael Testa, a Republican, led off the evening. Testa is running unopposed for reelection. He spoke of his service to the district during his first term, noting that he came into office just as the pandemic was closing down businesses in Cape May County. Testa spoke with pride of the efforts of the District 1 team to keep the tourist economy of the county functioning during the pandemic.
With respect to more recent events, Testa emphasized his opposition to the state offshore wind initiative, his strong support for parents’ rights in terms of K-12 education policies and what he called his steadfast work to “stave off the liberal radical agenda” in the state.
Eric Simonson and Antwan McClellan followed Testa to the podium. Both are seeking reelection as Republicans to the state Assembly.
Simonson reinforced Testa’s opposition to wind energy development off the coast. He also emphasized the efforts by the district Republican team to bring more tax dollars back to the county, arguing that the county’s tourism economy sends many more tax dollars to Trenton than it receives back in terms of state funding for initiatives in the county. Simonson, a former mayor of Lower Township, said a primary goal of his efforts in the Legislature was to help the district’s economy to “continue to grow.”
McClellan spoke of the new funding for the state’s boardwalks, emphasizing his own background in the county and his service on the council in Ocean City. McClellan said he “worked hard for the district” in support of the small businesses that characterize the Cape May County economy.
The Democrats have two candidates running against Simonson and McClellan for the Assembly seats.
Damita White-Morris, a Bridgeton native, comes at her challenge from a long background in education. White-Morris is a supporter of renewable energy. She is also among those who see women’s pro-choice rights as in danger even in Democratic-controlled New Jersey. She is a supporter of educational opportunity, with funding going first to helping students learn rather than for administrative use. White-Morris says she wishes to represent the life circumstances of people in the community who are often voiceless.
Eddie Bonner is also a Bridgeton resident. Bonner worked as a police officer and is now involved in school security. He says that everything begins with education: It is in the education of children that real change happens. Throughout the campaign, Bonner has pointed to drug addiction and homelessness as problems that deserve more attention from Trenton.
Surrogate
Republican incumbent E. Marie Hayes was the only candidate for county surrogate at the event. Her Democratic challenger, Beverly McCall, was not present.
The county surrogate in New Jersey is a judicial officer, often referred to as a surrogate judge, charged with the administration of estates, probate of wills and similar functions. It is a position that does not require a law degree but one that is often filled by attorneys.
Hayes used her time to emphasize that she can, and would be, “the best surrogate” even though she is not a lawyer. She recounted a 26-year career in law enforcement at the county prosecutor’s office, a job in which she often dealt with people immediately after they had experienced traumatic events. She said she has had 30 years in public service in jobs that required her to “know the law.”
What is important in a surrogate, Hayes contends, is compassion and an ability to deal with people at a difficult time, often after losing a loved one.
“The person in this job does not have to be a lawyer,” Hayes said more than once.
McCall is an attorney with an office in Sea Isle City.
Board of County Commissioners
Three seats on the five-member county commission are on the ballot this November. On the Republican ticket Will Morey is running for reelection, with Melanie Collette and Bobby Barr seeking a seat on the commission for the first time.
Collette, vice chair of the county GOP organization and a local radio show host, is seeking to replace Jeff Pierson, who announced his retirement from the seat on the board he has held since 2016. Collette self-identifies as a person passionate about education issues and experienced as an entrepreneur in a county of small businesses.
She is concerned with what she has termed the liberal agenda-driven state of education policy in New Jersey. She sets an agenda of keeping taxes low, getting back more of the tax dollars the county sends to Trenton and fostering traditional American values.
Barr was selected by the county Republican organization to fill the seat on the county commission vacated when Hayes was selected as the interim surrogate. Barr left his position on the Ocean City Council to accept the commission post. He must now run for election to the seat.
Barr said he is committed to helping the “mom and pop” businesses that characterize the county. He wants to help people who are seeking their share of the American dream.
Morey is a businessman and long-standing member of the commission board, previously named the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Morey was first elected to the board in 2011. He considers himself a collaborator who works with others to get things done.
He is committed to fiscal responsibility, arguing that strong financial management provides the capital for needed projects. Morey is identified with the development of a plan to keep Cape May County open during the early stages of the pandemic. He has also had intimate involvement with the county’s economic development efforts.
Patricia O’Conner is the lone Democrat seeking a seat on the board of commissioners. O’Conner represents herself as experienced in business and economic development. She has expertise in mortgage finance and says that gives her unique insight into the county’s affordable housing problems. She says she is an advocate for addiction intervention, women’s rights and greater attention to mental health issues.
Middle Township Committee
Former Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner is running unopposed for a seat on the Middle Township Committee. The seat is open due to the decision by Mayor Timothy Donohue not to seek reelection. Leusner emphasized that he is a lifelong resident of the township and served 26 years on the police force, with 13 of those as chief.
He pointed to his years as head of the police department as evidence of his commitment to bringing people together to solve problems. One illustration in his discussion was the development of the police camp for township youth, which is a successful product of a collaboration of individuals.
Leusner expressed a need for continued focus on housing issues, inflation impacts, support of the police department and a dedication to fiscal responsibility.
“We need to continue good common-sense government,” he said.
School Board
There are six candidates for three seats on the district board of education. Three of those candidates attended the Chamber event.
Brian Vergantino is running for the board with a campaign that emphasizes a need for change. He says he will oppose what he terms the “radical agenda” driving many school policy issues in New Jersey. Vergantino is a retired township police officer who has run for the board in the past. He is an advocate for giving great voice to parental concerns.
Linda George is seeking reelection to the board. She says the township school system has avoided much of the disruption that has impacted other districts by keeping politics out of the board agenda. She runs on her record as a supporter of sound board policies.
Christopher Ingersoll says parents and others who speak out at school board meetings are “shot down” as they try to participate. He is a defender of parents’ rights and is committed to a more open board environment where all voices can be heard.
The three school board candidates who did not attend the event were Dennis Roberts, Gloria Hodges and Jonathon E. Hand Jr.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
