Township Council Taps Berkeley School Board Prez For Ward 1 Council Seat
Kevin M. Askew selected as Ward 2 representative, replacing Carmen F. Amato Jr., who won the mayoral election in November
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Up until about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Bayville resident James J. Byrnes was president of the Berkeley Board of Education.
Several minutes later, he had a new title — Township Council president.
Byrnes, 62, Dogwood Drive, made the jump from the school board to the governing body shortly after Township Council members unanimously selected him as the Ward 1 representative at the Jan. 17 council meeting.
He replaces former Township Council President Karen Davis, who resigned on Jan. 1 to concentrate on knee surgery rehabilitation.
"I'd just like to thank the board for your confidence," Byrnes said, as he took his seat at the center of the council dais. "I'm flattered to be moved here so fast. I think I can do more for the schools and the town by bringing all my expertise here. Thank you and God bless."
The Berkeley Township Republican Municipal Committee met several times over the past two weeks to select three candidates for the Ward 1 seat. Township Council members interviewed the three candidates yesterday afternoon, Councilwoman Fran Siddons said.
The other candidates for the Ward 1 seat were current Berkeley Board of Education members James Fulcomer and Noriko Kowalewski, she said.
Fulcomer and Kowalewski were both elected to their first terms on the Berkeley school board last April.
Council members then tapped 41-year-old Kevin M. Askew to serve as the Ward 2 representative. He replaces Carmen Amato, who was elected mayor in November.
The other two selected by the Republican Municipal Committee for the Ward 2 seat were Central Regional Board of Education President Keith Buscio and Mitchell Horowitz, Siddons said.
Council members then unanimously elected Councilwoman Judy Noonan to serve as council vice-president for 2012.
"Thank you very much," said Noonan, who is in the middle of her first term."I appreciate it. I've been coming to council meetings for 11 years and it's my privilege to serve. Thank you for your support."
Noonan and Siddons are now the senior members on the Township Council. All of the other members were sworn in or appointed to their first terms this year.
The seven-member Township Council is also now solidly in Republican hands. John Bacchione, Robert G. Ray and Thomas Grosse easily outdistanced their Democratic challengers in the November election.
BayvilleDad
7:43 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sooooooo the town council president was never elected to town council. Nice.
Berkeley Resident! and Proud!
8:49 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
He has to run in novemeber
Steve
10:08 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
So the B Team of Republican Party's back bench for municipal candidates are all Board if Ed members? What does this say of their choices, the influence the party has on those so called non partisan elections as well as "Freeloader" Vicari's and King George's hands in these selections? Who will get those lucritive municipal contracts?
Seaside Polecat
2:18 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Another disgruntled democrat who can't get over the last election. The people of Berkeley have spoken. And as for badmouthing Freeholder Vicari, what the hell have you done for the town???? (besides complain!). Democracy is alive and well in Ocean County....maybe not for you liberal democrats. Whiner!
Oscar Wilde
11:39 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Lower the damn property taxes......NOTHING ELSE MATTERS !
James
2:40 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Something stinks in Berkeley. Karen Davis resigns as Ward 1 council person due to illness and recovery but takes a five year appointment on the MUA. Then the council fills her empty seat with James J. Bynes and also makes him Council Pesident over two senior council persons. Politics as usual. Doesn't matter if its one party or the other. It still stinks.
Bayville for 40 years
3:38 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
And the beat goes on -- does not seem to matter who contols the trough, as long as their snouts are in it. And what is really bothersome, is none of them have no shame. They actually think they are doing good. Amazing!
Gypsies, tramps and thieves.
__________________________________________________________
A bus filled with politicians was driving through the countryside one day, on the campaign trail. The bus driver, caught up in the beautiful scenery,loses control and crashes into the ditch. A farmer living nearby hears the horrible crash and rushes out to discover the wreckage. Finding the politicians, he buries them.
The next day, the police come to the farm to question the man. "So you buried all the politicians?" asked the police officer. "Were they all dead?"
The farmer answered, "Some said they weren't, but you know how politicians lie."
Bayville for 40 years
3:40 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
An honest politician, a kind lawyer and Santa Claus were walking down the street and saw a $20 bill. Which one picked it up??
Santa! The other two don't exist!
foggyworld
11:49 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
And another double dipper joins the in crowd - at our expense.