COURT HOUSE – Mid-term elections are supposedly a barometer of a president’s job rating. How that will transpire will be better gauged after the Nov. 4 general and school elections.
U.S. Senate
In the contest for U.S. Senate, Republican Jeff Bell is vying for the seat held by Democrat Cory Booker.
Others seeking Booker’s seat: Antonio N. Sabas, Eugene Martin LaVergne, Jeff Boss, Hank Schroeder and Joseph Baratelli.
House of Representatives
For Second District House of Representatives seat, incumbent Republican Frank LoBiondo is being challenged by Democrat William J. Hughes Jr.
Others seeking LoBiondo’s seat include Bayode Olabisi, Alexander H. Spano, Costantino Rozzo, and Gary Stein.
Eligible to Vote
According to the County Clerk’s website there were 67,941 voters eligible to cast a ballot as of Oct. 23. As has been the case locally, “other” (unaffiliated) voters hold the majority with 27,883. That outdistances Republicans, who count 26,523 in their ranks, and Democrats with 13,535.
Polling Place Changes
A change in polling places will have Middle Township voters in Districts 12, 13 and 14 casting ballots at Rio Grande Fire Hall.
Two Statewide Questions
In addition to making selections for elected offices, voters statewide will decide two constitutional amendments, one allowing the court to order pretrial detention of a person in a criminal case, the other raises the percentage, to 6 from 4, as of July 1, 2019 for funds dedicated to open space, farmland and historic preservation, and changing existing dedication for water programs, underground storage tanks and hazardous site cleanups.
Local Questions
Voters in Cape May, West Cape May and Lower Township will also decide modification of tax allocation for Lower Cape May Regional School District. The current formula is based on property tax valuations for each municipality. If modified, the formula would be based on pupil enrollment.
West Wildwood voters will decide the fate of a $495,000 capital improvement expenditure, and permitting $470,250 in bonds or notes to finance various equipment, furniture and a police vehicle. The ordinance was adopted May 20, 2013.
County Posts
Republicans have no contest for freeholder and sheriff seats. Thus, Gary Schaffer will remain sheriff, and Kristine Gabor and Will Morey will retain their seats on the five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Municipal Races:
Cape May: A nonpartisan contest for three City Council seats, full term, four years.
Charles Hendricks, John Van de Vaarst, Shaine Meier, Jerome Inderwies Jr., Beatrice Pessagno are vying for the posts.
Cape May Point: One Borough Commission seat, unexpired term, two years.
“Love Thy God Family Country Neighbor” Robert Mullock is the sole candidate.
Dennis Township: Two committee seats are open, full, three-year term.
Republicans Frank Germanio Jr., incumbent, and Julie DeRose are being challenged by Democrats Donald Tozer and Lisa Salimbene.
Lower Township: One council seat in each of three wards, four year, full term.
Ward 1: Republican Thomas Conrad, incumbent, is challenged by Independents for Lower Johnnie Walker and Time for Change Joseph J. Will.
Ward 2: Republican David Perry is running against Independents for Lower James Neville, incumbent.
Ward 3: Republican Erik Simonsen, incumbent, is running against Independents for Lower Glenn Douglass.
Middle Township: One seat on township committee, three-years, full term.
Republican Timothy Donohue, incumbent, is being challenged by Democratic Samuel Kelly.
North Wildwood: Council seats.
1st Ward: One seat, three years, full term, Republican David Del Conte, no opponent.
2nd Ward: One seat, three years, full term, Republican Kellyann Tolomeo, no opponent.
One seat, one year, unexpired term, Republican Joseph V. Rullo, no opponent.
Stone Harbor: Two council seats, three years, full term.
Republicans Joselyn O. Rich, Karen M. Lane, no opponents.
Upper Township: One township committee seat, full term, three years.
Incumbent Antonio Inserra, is being challenged by Republican Jeffrey L. Pierson.
Woodbine: Mayor, one seat, full term, four years.
Republican William Pikolycky is not being challenged for his seat.
Borough Council, two seats, full term three years.
“The Right Choice” Douglas Watkins and Manuel Gonzalez are in the race with Republican Hector Cruz and David Bennett.
School Elections:
As voters go to the polls Nov. 4 they will also be electing members of their local boards of education. The following are candidates in those districts:
Avalon: Vote for two, three-year full term
Craig Worton
Cape May: Vote for three, three-year full term
Sharon Lee Kustra, Tom Rippman, Trudy Grogan
Cape May Point: Vote for one, three-year full term
Alice Gibson
Dennis Township: Vote for three, three-year full term
Robert Bonnet, Jamie Burrows, Nichol L. Hoff , James J. Manlandro Jr., Sara M. Teefy
Vote for one, one year unexpired
Jennifer Hand , Patricia L. Ziolkowski
Lower Cape May Regional
Lower Township: Vote for two, three-year full term
Robert Osborn, Thomas Connelly Jr., Christopher Vassar
West Cape May: Vote for one, three-year full term
Kathleen Elwell
Lower Township Elementary: Vote for three, three-year full term
Jonathan M. Vile, Joseph Jackson , Thomas Ottaviano, Janet Ann Herman, Patricia M. Smith, Monica M. Divito, Joseph T. McKenna, Gary Douglass
Middle Township: Vote for three, three-year full term
Dennis M. Roberts, Robert Bakley II, Linda Elia Koch, Melanie T. Collins, Gloria Jean Hodges
North Wildwood: Vote for three, three-year full term
Scott M. McCracken, Michael J. Brown Sr. , Charles Burns
Ocean City : Vote for three, three-year full term
Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes, Joseph S. Clark, Jr., Michael Allan James, Dale F. Braun, Jr.
Sea Isle City: Vote for two, three-year full term
Daniel A. Tumolo, Ellen Ramsey
Stone Harbor: Vote for two, three-year full term
David Hoy, Charles C. Krafczek
Upper Township: Vote for three, three-year full term
Debra L. McLees, Rachel Mammele, Andrea Olenik-Hipkins
West Cape May: Vote for one, three-year full term
Thomas TJ Belasco
West Wildwood: Vote for two, three-year full term
Robert L. Kilgore, April Katrina Howard
Wildwood: Vote for three, three-year full term
Kelly Phillips, Jacqueline Martinez , Lynn Quinlan
Vote for one, two-year full term
Brandy M. DeMarzo
Wildwood Crest: Vote for one, three-year full term
Joseph Schiff
Woodbine: Vote for three, three-year full term
Victoria London, Janita Hutchinson, Miriam Vives-Rivera
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
