SOMERS POINT — Councilman Kirk Gerety, newly appointed to the at-large seat, faces a challenge from AnnMarie Gibbs for the four-year term representing the entire city.
Kirk Gerety
City Council approved a resolution Sept. 12 appointing Gerety to the seated vacated by Joe McCarrie, who resigned Aug. 12.
Gerety is president of the Somers Point Historical Society, was a trustee for the Atlantic County Historical Society and has done a lot of other volunteering.
He began serving on City Council when he was appointed in 1995 to the at-large seat. Gerety then ran successfully to serve the one-year remainder of the term. He won re-election in 1996, 2000 and 2004 before resigning his seat at the end of 2005. He then won a ward seat in 2014 to return to council.
Gerety is a retired cement mason who was a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 2. He was president and business manager from 2010 to 2014, serving in the union for 45 years.
The 68-year-old and his wife of 40 years, Margie, have three children. He was born and raised in the city, where he attended St. Joseph’s Regional School before moving on to Holy Spirit High School.
Gerety has been on council for 18 of the past 30 years, serving as president and president pro tempe, on the budget committee and personnel committee. He also served as chairman of the Save the Old City Hall Committee and oversaw the design of the Route 52 project, working as the city contact point for the residents effected by the construction.
Gerety said he, his grandparents, parents, uncles and brothers have all served the community in one way or another.
“I feel it is my duty to help the community; that’s the way I was raised,” he said.
He believes his skills such as leadership, an ability to trouble shoot problems and offer solutions, a common-sense approach to spending taxpayer money and a knowledge of what it takes to run a city — not only in good times but also the bad times — lend themselves to the position.
Gerety said the top issues the city is facing include rising taxes, both both municipal and school; instituting sensible development; preserving the historic bayfront and dealing with increased traffic.
He said better control of the budget and anticipation of future costs could help solve the tax situation.
“The school budget is taking a severe beating due to loss of state aid several years in a row. Increase the pressure and lobby the elected officials above us to do more to get the aid we need for our schools,” Gerety said.
He believes better scrutiny of proposed projects would benefit the city.
“Just because it’s a pretty building does not necessarily make it a good fit for our community, plus the extra burdens it places on the city,” Gerety said.
He supports protecting “the jewel” of a bayfont and Historic District from the kind of development that would erase its existence and to increase traffic studies and parking opportunities, especially when new development comes to town.
AnnMarie Gibbs
Gibbs, who challenged incumbent Councilman Richard DePamphilis III for the Ward I seat last year, losing 746-516, has lived in Somers Point for 20 years and in Atlantic County for more than 30 years after growing up in Massachusetts and living in Somerset County.
She is one of nine children and has dozens of nieces and nephews all over the country.
Gibbs earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and psychology from Rutgers University and taught science in Middlesex and Sussex county schools.
She is a life-long learner, having earned credits toward a master’s degree in psychology at Stockton University. She continues to take environmental courses offered by Rutgers.
In addition to teaching, Gibbs has been a professional real estate agent for more than three decades.
“As a seasoned Realtor for over 35 years, I have helped many to find the pride and joy of homeownership. Individuals, families and communities find stability when they can achieve this ‘American dream,’” she said.
Gibbs has been involved with serving children and adults at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and served on various local boards, such as JustBe Farm, Atlantic Prevention Resources and the Atlantic County Board of Realtors, as a volunteer, as well as in leadership roles in her professional life.
“I’m at retirement age but have no thought of retiring from my career as a Realtor or from anything else that life serves up,” Gibbs said. “I have been divorced and know the emotional, physical and financial hardships this can do to a person. The scars have only made me stronger and more compassionate.”
She said she is deeply spiritual, having been raised with the values of faith, hope and love.
“I continue to seek to be a person of integrity, compassion and peacefulness,” Gibbs said.
She believes her background makes her a terrific candidate.
“My family of origin, my faith and my continued pursuit of values that keep me in emotional balance allow me to be of service and to provide a moral compass that benefits me and others,” she said.
Gibbs said she believes the community can benefit from some new ideas and a new voices.
“There are many experienced people serving our community who can pass on some of that wisdom to the next group of willing citizens and keep what is good going,” Gibbs said. “In addition, our city may receive some new input for bettering our community. Change can be good and we need a balance in parties to better serve all of our residents and businesses.”
She believes she has the skills necessary to serve in the position.
“I am personable and articulate and not afraid to speak up when there is something to be said. With the education and heart of a teacher and sales, I can be persuasive both in written and verbal form,” she said. “With years of successful sale skills, my negotiating skills are strong and my desire to learn more about the laws, ordinances and proposals involved in where I live is a top priority.”
She said she also has a lot of patience and continues to work on critical thinking.
“These traits allow me to listen, learn and make suggestions that may be beneficial when needed and/or required,” Gibbs said.
She believes the top issues the community is facing include environmental concerns related to climate change.
“We live in an exceptional place and keeping our water clean and safe, providing natural settings for rest and entertainment; as well as working toward beautification of our city will keep this a highly desirable and progressive city,” she said. “Good schools, teachers and law enforcement as well as a budget that keeps long-term residents here and invites new ones to want to be here is obviously important.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
