Duncan, D’Alicandro Vie for 2nd Ward Seat

NORTH WILDWOOD — Incumbent Democratic candidate Joseph Duncan will vie against political newcomer Republican Anthony D’Alicandro for the 2nd Ward position on Nov. 6.
Duncan, who is in his 18th year as a council member, told the Herald that he got involved in politics because he en-joys knowing what is going on in the community.
“Even if it is some-thing that I don’t agree with at least I have the opportunity to put my two-cents and know the ins and outs,” he said.
Duncan has been a resident of North Wildwood since 1969 and said that he’s witnessed a lot of change take place in the city. He said residents and officials should take interest in the revamp of the city’s master plan.
“People should be involved and their wishes should be known,” Duncan said.
“Specifically how high buildings should be on the beach front,” he noted.
“I’m a low building man,” he added. “I’d like to keep the height restrictions to what it is now.”
Duncan said that if developers can’t build a project the size of Montego Bay and make a good profit on their investment, “maybe they should take their money elsewhere.”
Duncan said that in his door-to-door campaign, many residents have told him they don’t need bigger buildings.
“What they say we need is more hotels and I agree with that,” he said. “But a condotel, something that is part condominiums and part hotels, does not solve the problem of more hotel rooms.”
Duncan said he isn’t against new development and projects, but the current plan to replace the dilapidated Seaport Pier with an indoor waterpark and an adjacent 160-foot hotel should be readdressed.
“The pier should be cleared off,” he said. “The buildings there are no good, but the pier it self is still viable. It might provide a good place for a band shell for entertainment or a meet-ing place for the community.”
Duncan said he agrees with the current administration’s plan to con-tinue the infrastructure repair program. Fixing the sewer, water and streets is something that can’t be ignored, according to Duncan.
“It is an expensive program, but it would turn out to be more ex-pensive not to attend to it now,” he said.
Duncan is a retired teacher from Lower Cape May Regional. He said he still offers homebound instruction on an individual basis.
During the summer season, Duncan is a familiar face on the city’s beaches as a Fudgy Wudgy beach vendor, a job he’s kept for 34 years.
Duncan remains an active member of the Elks, the Optimists Club, and the Angelsea Irish Society. He is also a Eucharistic minister at St. Ann Catholic Church and a member of the parish advisory board.
Duncan and his wife Kathy have three children, Joseph, Sean and Christopher.
Anthony D’Alicandro, who had lived in the Philadelphia area before moving to this city five years ago, said he threw his hat into the political arena for the first time after being told he’d, “be good for council.”
D’Alicandro, who was born to immigrant Italian parents, said he decided to run because he not only believes in the American dream, but he has lived it.
“It is time to give back,” he said. “It’s time to pay the bill.”
D’Alicandro said he believes the current administration is doing a good job.
“But I believe there are two ways to go in business; up or down, there is no middle line,” he said. “I’m hoping to contribute something so we can improve.”
D’Alicandro said a ma-jor issue in the city is the quality of life.
“I want our seniors to be able to afford to live here,” he said. “I want to do what I can to keep taxes within reason, so everyone can continue to live out there life here.”
Tourism, according to D’Alicandro, makes up the lifeblood for the city’s economy.
“We wouldn’t be able to afford living here if it wasn’t for the tourist trade,” he said.
“What-ever we can do to stretch the season is good for the economy.”
The development planned on Seaport Pier, he said, is a great exam-ple of what can be done to lengthen the season.
According to D’Alicandro, the city’s infrastructure is in need of repair. The current administration’s effort to put money into water, sewer and streets is something that needs to be done.
After serving in the army during the Korean conflict, D’Alicandro was accepted as a stu-dent at West Chester University. He has worked in the food and beverage industry for the last 45 years and is re-tired as the director of catering of the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
He remains active with the Sons of Italy, which he was a past president, and North Wildwood Republican Club. He is also an officer of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, Wildwood Knights of Columbus and an active parishioner of St. Ann Catholic church.
D’Alicandro and his late wife Madeline have four grown children and nine grandchildren, all of which he said are honor students in various schools and universities.
Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com