SOMERS POINT — “Batting a thousand always gives you a great feeling, and last night we hit it out of the park,” City Councilman-elect Steve Lamond said Nov. 4, the day after he and fellow Democrat Kim O’Brien won seats in Somers Point.
Lamond, a retired executive, and Jordan Road School teacher O’Brien were elected to Somers Point City Council amid a blue wave that swept across the country.
Democrats won control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in what is seen as a widespread pushback against President Donald Trump and the Republican agenda.
Voter dissatisfaction was caused by escalating costs of everyday goods, heavy-handed immigration enforcement and the war in Iran.
“That rising tide revolution against Trump and Trumpism carried a real strong slate of candidates, and in the long run will be a win-win for the entire community,” Lamond said.
According to unofficial results, O’Brien holds a 60-vote lead in Ward I over incumbent Rick DePamphilis, 1,040 to 980, nearly splitting the 2,020 votes evenly.
Lamond’s victory in Ward II was more substantial, fending off a challenge from former councilman Mike Owen with 1,031 votes to 761, or 57.5 percent, to 42.5 percent.
O’Brien is president of the Somers Point Democratic Club and co-president of the Somers Point Education Association after spending 15 years as the public relations chair. She thinks it’s imperative that leaders of the city and school district cooperate to improve conditions for both facets of the city.
She currently serves as co-president of the union and on the executive board of the Cape Atlantic chapter of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
With school enrollment and state aid falling and the tax rate rising, O’Brien said City Council should be more informed about what’s taking place in the district. She believes if the city were better informed about the school’s challenges and successes, “they would promote our schools as a reason to move here.”
“I’m excited, I feel ready,” O’Brien said last week. “I’ve always been interested in government — I was student council president in high school — and I’m looking forward to sitting in on executive session and learning how the city works and what we can do to make things better.”
She said tops on her agenda is determining how many project developers have been granted tax abatements.
“We have all of these projects setting up but they’re not helping our taxes,” O’Brien said. “I want to get a handle on where we are with that.”
She noted a recent proposal on MacArthur Boulevard consists of 70 condominiums above retail shops.
“It seems like what they really want to do is build condos but will put some shops in. Residents want to be a year-round community and not greater Ocean City,” she said.
Residents also are frustrated with high taxes, she said.
“Let’s see what we can do. I’m a practical person, don’t waste money. I want to continue offering good services and look to save money and see what we can do to make life more enjoyable, more helpful for those who need it,” O’Brien said.
Lamond worked in civilian technical roles on Department of Defense-related projects then worked as a consulting database programmer for SmithKline Beecham and Merck.
“It feels really great. We had a rousing celebration last night with the rest of the Atlantic County Democrats,” he said Nov. 4, noting the party chairman read off the victories one after another.
He said he was especially happy for city resident Lisa Bender, who defeated incumbent Republican Joe Giralo for the Atlantic County Clerk position.
“She took the time to canvass all over the place. She was tireless, energetic,” Lamond said, noting he also was happy for Sean Riggin, who topped Joe O’Donoghue for sheriff.
Raised in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, he has four children and five granddaughters.
He said Somers Point faces a number of challenges, foremost of which may be how to maintain the city’s brand as gateway to the shore while remaining a livable and walkable historical community for year-round residents.
He said the first thing on his agenda is learning the ropes but noted second would be addressing what he characterized as overdevelopment, especially along Bay Avenue.
“I went around town, and for both Democrats and Republicans, one issue was overdevelopment, too fast development. There’s a lot going on willy-nilly without thoughts to the ramifications,” he said. “We are risking losing that small-town character that people think of as Somers Point’s cherished brand.”
The Democrats’ victories change the balance of power on City Council from 6-1 in favor of Republicans to 4-3. O’Brien and Lamond will join Councilwoman Morgan Slaughter in the minority, although Councilwoman Janice Johnston and DePamphilis have joined Slaughter on recent dissenting votes.
“I’m excited and thrilled to have them up there with me, like-minded individuals who I feel will put the town first, our residents first,” Slaughter said. “To me, that has always been the most important part and why I wanted to get into politics.”
She played down the idea of securing a voting bloc, instead saying her goal is “for us as a council to collectively make decisions that are the best for our residents.”
“I am confident that with the additional members of council, that the majority of council will have the best interest of the people in mind regardless of party,” Slaughter said. “I’m confident we have two additional people who share my love of Somers Point and will listen. They have that mindset as well — tell us what you want, what’s important to you.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
