Three incumbents, three challengers vying for City Council positions
SOMERS POINT — The struggle for control of City Council continues this year in the city by the bay, with three incumbents seeking re-election and three challengers attempting to unseat them in the election Nov. 8.
Turnover on the governing body has become commonplace over the past five years, with four of the seven members all having less than four years of experience.
McGuigan vs. Myers
Longtime Ward 1 Councilman Sean McGuigan, among the elder statesmen on the governing body, is facing a challenge from Dan Myers, who has two previous campaigns under his belt.
McGuigan is seeking his sixth term after first being elected in 2007. The 59-year-old last ran for re-election, unopposed, in 2019.
The construction manager/estimator moved to Somers Point in 1989 from Upper Darby, Pa., after attending Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He married his wife, Teresa, in 1990 and they have three children.
Myers, 73, ran unsuccessfully for a Ward 1 seat in 2019 against current council president Janice Johnston, then again in 2020 against Stacy Ferreri, who no longer serves on council.
He is retired from a career as a respiratory therapist, spending more than three decades at Shore Medical Center, and is a professional photographer.
Myers and his wife of 30 years, Alice, who serves on the Board of Education, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. He has lived in the city since 1974.
DePamphilis vs. Bender
Seeking the final year of Ferreri’s unexpired term are incumbent Rick DePamphilis and challenger Lisa Bender, a small-business owner, environmental activist and community volunteer.
DePamphilis, 72, served as mayor of Linwood from 2002 through 2019, when he decided not to seek re-election. He served on the Board of School Estimate, the Redevelopment Committee and the Planning Board and was recognized in the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors Hall of Fame.
Before moving to Linwood, DePamphilis lived in the city with his wife, Sally, where they started their family. They returned to the city is the past couple of years. Married for a half-century, the couple has four children and nine grandchildren. He is retired but still works part time for Thomas United Inc. in Egg Harbor Twp.
The U.S. Navy veteran earned a bachelor’s degree in historical studies from Stockton University and teacher certification.
He was appointed in February to the seat initially held by Ferreri. When she left a year into her term, City Council unanimously appointed Ken Adams on Jan. 27 to take her place. However, Adams was forced to resign Feb. 3 because it was revealed that his felony conviction in 2004 for theft and misconduct while chief of the Northfield Police Department barred him from serving.
In her bid to replace Adams, Bender received a lot of verbal support from members of the community but City Council voted 4-1 in favor of DePamphilis.
Six of the seven current council members — all but Karen Bruno — admitted they knew about Adams’ felonious past before voting to appoint the 60-year-old.
Bender, 46, unsuccessfully challenged Johnston last year, falling short 1,038 to 794.
Bender and her husband, Ocean City firefighter Bob Bender, have two teen sons. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in oceanography from University of South Florida, College of Marine Science. She owns a marketing and photography business and is a licensed real estate agent.
Her service in AmeriCorps led to professional positions as Atlantic County recycling coordinator, grant writer and project lead, municipal environmental specialist and sustainability/marketing consultant.
Owen vs. D’Adamo
In Ward 2, Councilman Mike Owen is facing a challenge from Carl D’Adamo, a second matchup of the pair the incumbent likened to Rocky vs. Apollo Creed.
Owen, 55, was elected unopposed in 2019 and is seeking his second term. He works as an environmental engineering technician for MWH Constructors at the federal superfund site known as Price’s Pit in Pleasantville.
He and his wife of 30 years, Darleen, have two daughters, both graduates of Mainland Regional High School. He grew up in Linwood, attended Seaview Elementary School and graduated from MRHS in 1986. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Widener University, he got married and moved to Somers Point in 1992.
Owen is a member of committees overseeing the hospital, recreation, historical society, public works, parking and economic development.
D’Adamo, who was the lone Democrat on the governing body and served for 16 years at-large, chose not to seek re-election in 2019, opening the door for Owen to run unopposed. The pair first faced off in 2016, when D’Adamo eked out a win 2,298-2,184.
D’Adamo, 71, and his wife of 46 years, Robin, have two grown children who attended Somers Point schools and graduated from MRHS. They have two young grandchildren.
D’Adamo was born in Philadelphia and moved to Mays Landing in 1964. He graduated from Oakcrest High School in 1969. He later earned an associate degree in electronics technology from Atlantic Cape Community College, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Stockton University and a master’s degree in business administration from Monmouth University.
He worked as a manager in the regulatory section of Atlantic City Electric Co. until 2016, when he retired after more than 35 years of employment.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
