BRICK – There is a mayoral election this year in Brick, along with a race for three seats on the Township Council.
The incumbent mayor, Lisa Crate, a Democrat, will face off against Republican Madeline Colagiovanni Iannarone, who currently serves as the Board of Education President.
Both candidates were asked the following three questions by email:
1) How will you, as mayor, provide more services and still cut costs?
2) What makes you the best person to handle Brick’s issues?
3) Where do you want Brick to be in four years?
The following are their verbatim answers, in alphabetical order by their last names. The candidates were each asked to keep their responses to under 500 words.
Incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Heather deJong is seeking reelection, and joining her are newcomers Dan Ward and Rocco Lepore.
The Republican council candidates are Gregory J. Cohen, Robert Canfield III and Lisa Reina.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, but early voting is available from October 25 until November 2.
Lisa Crate
1) “If you want to know what someone will do, look at what they’ve done. My team has a record of reducing costs, which has allowed us to improve Township services while keeping municipal taxes stable. We have reduced costs through improved technology, holding vendors accountable and working with the County, State and the business community to obtain grants to defray costs.
“Let’s look at some examples. The 31-acre Breton Woods site was recently preserved as open space. When we first looked into the purchase, I knew it wouldn’t be fair to make Brick taxpayers pay almost $10 million for this property. We are pleased that the Ocean County Commissioners and the state provided most of the funding. After grant money was factored in, Brick taxpayers only paid $500,000 for the entire 31 acres and that’s a great deal.
“We also reduced municipal debt by nearly $50 million since 2011. This has saved Brick taxpayers millions in interest.”
2) “My record makes it clear that I understand Brick’s issues, and have a plan to deal with them. I know cost of living increases are hurting everyone, so we have done our part by controlling municipal taxes. In the last 12 years under the Ducey and Crate Administrations, municipal taxes have increased only $38 per year. If you look at my opponent’s record, in the last 2 years the school board increased taxes over $400 for the average Brick homeowner. She also voted to reject a $7 million dollar grant that would have reduced taxes. If you look at my opponent’s Facebook page, you will see she has no plan or ideas for the future. Ms. Iannarone does not talk about her experience on the School Board because she has no accomplishments that she is proud of. She concentrates on national issues that have nothing to do with Brick, in order to distract you.
“Our team has expanded other municipal services in Brick while keeping taxes stable. We added 18 police officers to our force, which is now at a record level of 146 officers. We started a program that provides free dialysis transportation to Brick residents. During my administration and the Ducey Administration, we preserved over 800 acres of open space with most of it paid with grant money.
“Our special events are the envy of the county with Summerfest, Senior Citizen Prom, Movie Nights, and the best Farmers Market in Ocean County. If you want to know what someone will do, look at what they’ve done.”
3) “In four years, I want Brick to be affordable, safe and a great place to live. I believe we are on the right track to meet these goals. Our population is stable and we changed our zoning to prevent undesirable high density development. We will keep taxes down, support our police force and first responders, and maintain the quality of life Brick residents have come to expect. We will continue to work together to Make Brick Better.”
Madeline Colagiovanni Iannarone
1) “As mayor, I will provide enhanced services while cutting costs through strategic fiscal reforms and accountability. Rather than relying on one-time surplus funds as happened this previous year, my approach focuses on sustainable, long-term solutions that benefit all residents.
“First, I’ll establish a Community Fiscal Oversight Committee to conduct thorough budget reviews and publish quarterly spending reports. This transparency ensures every taxpayer dollar is used effectively while identifying opportunities for service improvements.
“Second, I’ll appoint a township ombudsman to assist taxpayers during property assessment processes, potentially saving residents significant money while reducing administrative burdens. This service creates value through improved efficiency and resident satisfaction.
“Third, I’ll pursue proactive state-level advocacy for increased funding for roads, schools, and municipal initiatives. By securing additional state resources, we can reduce local tax pressure while maintaining quality services.
“My comprehensive oversight approach will deliver better services through strategic spending and enhanced transparency. By focusing on fiscal responsibility and community engagement, we can build a stronger financial foundation for Brick’s future.”
2) “My extensive leadership experience across multiple sectors uniquely positions me to address Brick’s complex challenges. As School Board President, I’ve navigated educational budgets, policy implementation, and community concerns firsthand. I’ve had to deal with Trenton taking millions of dollars from our district while still making the best choices for our students, teachers, and taxpayers. Also, my presidency with the Transport Workers Union Local 220 demonstrates my ability to advocate effectively and negotiate solutions.
“This diverse background provides me with comprehensive insight into Brick’s interconnected systems – education, transportation, healthcare, and municipal services. I’ve built relationships across all levels of government and can leverage these connections to secure resources and advocate for our community.
“My proven track record of fighting for working families, combined with hands-on experience managing budgets and implementing policies, means I understand both the challenges residents face and the mechanisms needed to create meaningful change in Brick Township.”
3) “In 4 years, I want to make sure Brick Township is still a Township. I will never allow Brick to be combined or regionalized. We also cannot allow the current trajectory of Brick to continue. We are turning into an overdeveloped city, and we need to hit the brakes on rampant building. We need to hold the line on property taxes, and we need to ensure our residents can stay here for the long term. Our seniors struggle to pay taxes because of out-of-touch policy makers and rubber stamping. I am going to be a Mayor for everyone that listens and acts, not passively approves everything that comes across my desk and cuts ribbons while our roads crumble. I look forward to serving you! Thank you, Make Brick Great Again Campaign.”
