Newcomer Edges Out Incumbent in Central Regional School Board Race By 48 Votes

By Patricia A. Miller

Newcomer Jennifer Leicht narrowly won one of the three Berkeley Township seats on the Central Regional Board of Education Tuesday night.

Only 48 votes separated Leicht and incumbent Nick Mackres, who lost a bid for his first full term. Leicht received 4,328 votes, or 20.93 percent, compared to Mackres, who received 4,280, or 20.70 percent, according to the Ocean County Clerk's Office.

Leicht, 58 Pheasant Drive, won her first term on the board.
She is a paraprofessional with the Berkeley Township school district. She attended Middlesex County College.

Newcomer John Hudak, 11 Morris Boulevard, was the top vote getter, with 6,242 votes, or 30.19 percent. Newcomer Joseph Mielewski, 38 Holly Boulevard, also won a seat with 5,787 votes, or 27.99 percent.

Three of the five Berkeley Township seats were up this year. Central Regional has four other sending towns - Ocean Gate, Island Heights, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. Each town has one member on the board.