Three Vie For Two Dennis Committee Seats

DENNISVILLE –– Democratic incumbents Committeewoman Ruth Blessing and Mayor John Murphy are facing a challenge for their seats on the township governing body from Republican Eugene Glembocki.
Blessing first took office in 1999 when she was appointed to her husband’s seat after he passed away in April of that year. She served in his place for one year and then ran successfully to complete the remaining two years of the term.
She served as mayor for several years until stepping down earlier a few years ago placing the reigns of the township in Murphy’s hands.
Blessing looks out for the senior citizens of the township. She is in charge of the Senior Center, Museum & History Center, Cultural & Heritage and Grants.
Murphy also began serving by appointment, having been named to finish Jeff Van Drew’s term in 2004, when he was elected to the state Assembly.
Murphy comes from a family of citizen legislators. Both his father, the late Frank Murphy Sr. and his brother, Frank Jr., were elected to the committee and served as mayor in the 1980s.
Murphy, who works as a supervisor for South Jersey Gas, said he is most proud of being able to keep the township affordable for “regular people” by keeping the local purpose taxes the lowest in the county.
Murphy is in charge of the township’s Recreation Department, Revenue and Finance, Administration, Emergency Management & Grants.
Blessing and Murphy are asking voters to allow them the privilege of serving them on township committee for another term.
Glembocki is looking to gain one of the seats for himself and the Republican Party, which hasn’t had a member on Committee since Al DiCicco took Ed Beck’s seat about five years ago. Glembocki ran unsuccessfully against DiCicco last year and in 2008 against incumbents Dennis Crippen and Brian O’Connor.
When he challenged DiCicco, Glembocki characterizes himself as a fiscal conservative and a concerned citizen rather than a career politician.
“The politicians who waste money on their campaigns are the same ones who waste taxpayers’ money,” he said.
At that time, Glembocki said he wanted more transparency and public input in local government.
Glembocki works for a cable company and his wife’s family business is the Delancey’s Farm Market, Ocean View. He is a member of the Cannon Masonic Lodge No. 104 South Seaville. He volunteers his time as an auctioneer for the annual county 4H Fair and the county Historical & Genealogical Society.