PETERSBURG — While he will no longer be holding the mayor’s gavel in Township Hall, Jay Newman certainly won’t be hard find.
He presided over his final meeting as Upper Township’s mayor Dec. 16 but will maintain his position as chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company and also was appointed as a part-time member of the Division of EMS.
Newman and Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes, who did not attend, lost a challenge in the Republican primary to Zach Palombo and Sam Palombo, who are set to be sworn in during the township’s reorganization meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 3.
Newman first served four terms on Township Committee, winning election in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. He returned to politics in 2021, after longtime mayor Rich Palombo and deputy mayor Ed Barr chose not to seek another term.
“I truly enjoyed my time on Township Committee and enjoyed virtually every minute of being your mayor,” Newman said.
He recognized the other members of Township Committee.
“Curtis Corson got me into politics the first time around and the second,” he said. “Your insight has been both interesting and invaluable, sometimes more interesting than invaluable.”
To Committeeman Victor Nappen, he said, “your enthusiasm and willingness to serve will be invaluable for the future of Township Committee.”
Newman said former committeeman Mark Pancoast “has been an extremely valuable confidant to me, his thoughts and perspectives from the public safety view are great. I am truly going to miss our weekly phone calls.”
And to Hayes, “you’re smart, never-say-die attitude has kept me going forward and gave me confidence.”
Two of the incoming three committee members — Zach Palombo and Sam Palombo, were in the audience.
“As you take office, please remember to keep the residents and taxpayers of Upper Township first. Do what’s right for the township, as I know you will, and don’t give in to outside influences that might not have the best interests of the township in mind.”
He gave a “huge shoutout to the township staff.”
“Your professional advice and work ethic have been second to none. As we always say, you make us look good,” Newman said.
He singled out Township Clerk Joanne Herron.
“Your expansive knowledge of the job and Upper Township history and code make the whole township look good. I could ask her anything and if she did not have the answer immediately, she knew where to find it,” he said.
Newman also mentioned CFO Barbara Ludy, engineer Ryan MacNeil and solicitor Tony Monzo.
He said Township Administrator Gary DeMarzo has done a wonderful job.
“We took a chance with you, and after 2.5 years staff morale is high and a multitude of personnel issues that have been lingering for years are off the table,” Newman said. “The staff is more efficient. There is a well-oiled machine and chain of command in place. Your guidance over the years has been extremely appreciated.”
Newman also thanked the public safety agencies — “You always made us look great, not just good but great” — and the Department of Public Works.
“Lastly but certainly not the least, I would like to thank my family. My sons and especially my lovely wife,” he said, noting Fran Newman’s final meeting after 23 years on the Board of Education was the same evening.
“With all of this free time, what are we going to do?”
He said he and Fran have a vacation planned and that he has committed to a mission trip to western Africa.
Newman also thanked the public.
“Thank you for all your support over the years. It has truly been an honor to serve,” Newman said. “Now that this chapter in my life if over, I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me next.”
He even thanked the media, noting reporters “always made him look good.”
DeMarzo returned the gratitude.
“Your humility, compassion and leadership allowed this board to operate seamlessly,” he said of Newman.
“You will be very much missed,” Herron said. “You can come and raid our candy jar whenever you want to.”
Monzo noted he does not often get an opportunity to say thank you.
“Usually when I come to the end of a term, the timing is just not right,” he said, noting he spent 17 years in Cape May and 12 in Lower Township.
“I’m a realist and I know that politics changes things, but with change in politics usually comes change in who gets appointed in various positions,” Monzo said. “It’s a sad reality but it’s ingrained in our system and I take no exceptions.”
Township Committee also passed resolutions honoring Hayes and Pancoast, who resigned Dec. 9.
“Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes was truly a visionary, a juggernaut, a queen among queens,” DeMarzo said.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff