LACEY – Residents, public officials, family and friends gathered to watch the swearing in of a new committee member on the township dais recently.
The moment was bittersweet as it noted the legacy of Committeeman Nicholas Juliano who died on March 1. He was known as a devoted family man and remembered for his strong love of community and the rapport he had with township staff, emergency service agencies and volunteer groups. He served as mayor previously and was in that role again, when he died of cancer.
With his passing, his role on the Lacey Township Committee needed to be filled and his wife Peggy Sue Doheny Juliano stepped up to preserve his legacy.
She said she knew her late husband had many things he wanted to see done in the community.
Deputy Mayor Mark Dykoff, who would later be named mayor of the township, explained prior to the swearing in that the County Republican Committee had received three names for consideration, Mrs. Juliano, Sean Sharkey and Tom Lombarski. Following a closed session meeting, Juliano was announced to fill her late husband’s position.
Township Clerk/Business Administrator Veronica Laureigh administered the oath of office. Juliano was surrounded by family and friends and said in her new role she hoped to be “at least half the person my husband was. I have to fill those shoes because after all I helped carry them for 46 years.”
“There is only one person who can fill Nicky’s shoes and that is you,” resident Kevin Flynn stated during the public comment period. He also noted that should a municipal complex be built, that the late official’s name be on it. The township is looking into the possibility of building such a structure in the next few years.
Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn, a former township committeeman who also served as mayor multiple times, also spoke during the public comment period. “There is nobody that can do a better job than you yourself. It took me three years to convince Nicky to run for the governing body and he jumped into it and did a fantastic job.”
“He is smiling down at you. I certainly look forward to many years of you working with the rest of the body up here I think you will work great as a team,” Commissioner Quinn added.
Police Chief Mike DiBella remarked, “Peggy Sue was Nick’s backbone and on occasion I had the privilege to see it. I also have seen that same love of community in Peggy.”
Committeeman Timothy McDonald, who was Dykoff’s running mate for re-election last fall, was selected among the committee to serve as deputy mayor.
“When Nick talked about this town, there was a twinkle in his eye and when he talked about his family, it brightened. It is going to be great to work with you,” McDonald said.
The new committee member thanked everyone who has supported her “and not just tonight but in the last five months of my life. I could not have gotten through this without all of you. This isn’t easy but as I sit in the seat of the man I am here for, I know he was here for all the right reasons.”
“Many people say it is a thankless job but my family would disagree. The outcrying of love, support and respect – the word thank you is not truly enough. To Veronica and the rest of the Committee, I look forward to working with you. I know we have a lot of things to do,” Committeewoman Juliano added.
