By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — City Council will be getting three new members following the election Nov. 3
Six candidates are seeking three seats and while some have served on city boards and run for office in the past, none has served in elected office.
Democrat Levi Fox and Republican Joseph T. McCarrie Jr. are seeking the at-large seat now held by Carl D’Adamo, who has been the lone Democrat on the governing body and served for 16 years. D’Adamo chose not to seek re-election.
In Ward 1, Democrat Dan Myers, who ran unsuccessfully last year against current councilwoman Janice Johnston, and Republican Stacy Ferreri are vying for the seat currently held by Kirk Gerety.
Gerety first served on City Council when he was appointed in 1995 to an at-large seat, then won re-election in 1996, 2000 and 2004 before resigning his seat at the end of 2005. He then defeated Ralph Triboletti in the 2014 election and Genevieve DeVito in 2017. He also chose not to seek re-election.
Democrat Karen Bruno and Republican James Osler, both newcomers to politics, will face off for the Ward 2 seat held by James Toto, who is running for a seat on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Toto was picked to fill the Ward II seat vacated by Councilwoman Maureen Kern in January 2016 after Kern was elected to the freeholder board. He then defeated former mayor John DiMaria in 2017.
The following biographies of the candidates were gleaned from questionnaires sent to each:
AT-LARGE
LEVI FOX
Levi Fox, 39, has strong connections to Somers Point.
He was born at Shore Medical Center and raised on Delaware Avenue. His mother, Mary Fondi, was a kindergarten teacher and his stepfather, Gregg Clayton, served on City Council.
Fox and his fiancée, Sabrina Torres, have been together for nine years.
Fox is highly educated, having earned a bachelor’s degree in history and anthropology from the University of Virginia (2003), a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Iowa (2006) and a doctorate in history from Temple University (2018).
He has worked as an adjunct professor at Stockton University since 2009 and teaches at Monmouth, Temple and LaSalle universities. In addition, he runs a small business, having founded Jersey Shore Tours in 2016.
Fox has been involved in community service in the city, having served for five years as secretary of the Somers Point Historical Preservation Commission, three years as a member of the Somers Point Economic Development Advisory Commission, two years as a trustee of the Somers Point Historical Museum, two years on the Atlantic County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board and was the founding treasurer of The Patriots for the Somers Mansion.
“I love Somers Point, having been born and raised in the community. I went to New York Avenue and then Jordan Road schools, and I believe it to be the most beautiful and historic town on the entire Jersey shore,” Fox said. “I want to offer every resident the same opportunities and the privileges of growing up in Somers Point that I have enjoyed.”
Fox has an evident desire to preserve the history of the city but also wants the government to be progressive.
“I bring a deep knowledge of the history of our town combined with a desire to see it on the forefront of innovation into the future,” he said.
He supports environmentalism and civil rights.
“I care about creating a green future, promoting social justice and being a voice for every resident of Somers Point. I have shown a willingness to work across the aisle on issues of common local concern while demonstrating my commitment to equal rights and civil liberties by participating in the peaceful march across the (Route 52 causeway). I have also been endorsed by a range of local unions including the Stockton Federation of Teachers and Central Labor Council of Atlantic and Cape May Counties,” Fox said.
He said he wants to promote business development but not to the detriment of city residents and believes in inclusiveness.
Fox said one of his priorities would be “balancing the concerns of businesses that bring in revenue and fun with the people who live in the community, and better serving the needs of residents regardless of background.”
“I would like to see City Council, city commissions and those who work for the city better reflect our entire community and be more responsive. I would like council meetings to be fun so people will want to participate in local government,” Fox said.
He said he has a plan to save taxpayers money by “encouraging smart, sustainable economic development that will broaden the tax base, and to seek grants so that there will be less of a need for residents to fund city functions.”
His plan involves rezoning the historic district — between Shore Road and Bay Avenue from Somers Mansion to Shore Medical Cen-ter — to allow small businesses to be operated from homes,
JOSEPH McCARRIE JR.
Joseph McCarrie Jr., 69, is a financial manager with public service experience who moved to the city in 2017. He and his wife of 30 years, Mariela Villa McCarrie, have four children and three grandchildren.
McCarrie was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Father Judge High School. He later attended La Salle University and Burlington County Community College.
While he is a recent transplant to the city, he said he has done business throughout the area for the past 16 years. He and his wife built a home health care business based in Mount Laurel with clients from Cape May to Princeton.
McCarrie primarily works as a financial manager for Bank of America but also shares his knowledge through presentations at assisted living communities on financial management for seniors and dealing with Medicare/Medicaid from a financial standpoint.
He also served as co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Association in Moorestown.
“I have a long history of serving the public and pride myself on working with people and empowering them to create their best future,” McCarrie said. “I want to leverage my unique experiences as a family man, financial executive and business owner to its full potential in the great city of Somers Point.”
McCarrie said he is a lifelong student who believes in inclusiveness.
“I am always learning from people in my life, whether that be my family or my clients, and I will use those lessons and perspectives as I serve the people of Somers Point,” he said. “I would like to see a higher level of community participation, and seeing as I enjoy bringing people together, I can see us accomplishing that goal.”
He said his work experience would be a benefit to the city.
“I know first-hand the struggles of managing a small business. I know the stress of managing payroll to ensure your employees have what they need to take care of their families,” he said. “I know that financial planning for the future starts with smaller, more actionable decisions today. I know that I’m only as strong as the team I work with and the people I support.”
McCarrie believes in collective problem solving.
“My management style is based on knowledge sharing and build-ing a consensus, even when there is a difference in opinion,” he said. “The future is bright if we focus on unity and make sure all the citizens of Somers Point have a voice.”
McCarrie said he helped the city start pop-up concerts this past summer when entertainment was nonexistent due to coronavirus restrictions.
“When we realized COVID cut entertainment out, I called the city and suggested pop-up performances where we have unemployed musicians perform in front of homes or businesses,” he said. “They passed a bucket around and were able to put money in his pocket.”
He said one was held in the parking lot of Fitzpatrick’s Deli & Steakhouse.
“It was a way to bring the music back to Somers Point, which has always been known for its creative music,” McCarrie said. “We will continue to provide entertainment and make it more interesting for residents and visitors.”
He said the top issues in the city are getting business back on track amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our economy is very important. Local businesses need to get back to work for the sake of our residents and their families,” he said. “Investing in small businesses means investing in the community, and that is
WARD 1
DAN MYERS
Dan Myers, 71, is retired from a career as a respiratory therapist and is a professional photographer.
He earned an applied associate degree in respiratory science at Atlantic Cape Community College and worked as a registered respiratory therapist at Shore Medical Center for 36 years. Myers also worked for more than 40 years photographing many Somers Point residents’ weddings and special occasions.
Myers and his wife of 29 years, Alice, raised three children in the city who now are “respected professionals in diverse fields.”
“My three adult children are all products of the Somers Point school system. My son is a high-ranking foreign service officer who has held the office of acting ambassador and now is serving in Washington, DC. My daughter is a very successful self-made pro-fessional in Northfield and my youngest is an emergency physician and assistant medical faculty member in Boston,” Myers said, adding that he has seven grandchildren.
He said he believes in a healthy lifestyle balanced with serving the community.
“Our family is supportive of education. My wife is a nurse who worked at Shore Medical Center and continued her education to earn a Ph.D. Currently, she is an academic nursing leader,” Myers said.
He said he enjoys serving the community.
“As a Somers Point resident of 56 years, I continue to actively serve Somers Point. I am a member of the Somers Point Arts Com-mission and the Somers Point Green Team,” he said.
Myers once owned a business in gardening and landscape design for 10 years.
“I also assist individual members of the community on gardening and landscape questions. I still am an active gardener, constantly beautifying our property with plants and flowers that encourage birds and other environmentally friendly life,” he said.
Myers said he would like to improve communication between the governing body and the electorate.
“I would like to serve the people of Somers Point on the City Council to be a voice of the people. So often resolutions are passed, ordinances are voted upon and decisions are made without the resi-dents even knowing what is happening,” he said, noting he has a YouTube channel on which he interviews business owners and those involved in making decisions.
“I ask the questions that inform the residents so they can be present by writing letters or attending council meetings,” he said. “I also support resident involvement in council committees. So many decisions are made without anyone being aware until the ‘deal is done.’ My position is to not vote in my interest but to vote based on resident input. The decisions made at council affect all of us.”
As an example, he said one such issue on residents’ minds is how City Council decides on business expansion in balance with envi-ronmental concerns.
“This should have input of residents who actually live here and pay taxes here,” he said.
Myers believes his education and work experience make him worthy of voters’ support.
“The skills I possess that make me the ideal candidate over my opponent is my maturity and longevity in Somers Point,” he said. “I know how a decision at council can greatly impact the life of the residents. I’m a good listener, approachable and open to new ideas. I believe in working together through honest communication and being respectful of others to
STACY FERRERI
Stacy Ferreri, 52, is a highly educated medical professional and veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve who has lived in the city for about four years.
She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and her parents had a second home in the city where they eventually moved permanently. She said she has been visiting the city since the 1980s and met her husband, Francesco Ferreri Jr., through her parents’ interest in boating. The couple has a 27-year-old daughter, Brianna, who lives in Vineland. They have three grandchildren.
Ferreri earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Neumann University, a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from St. Joseph’s University and a post-master’s certificate in nurse anesthesia from Nazareth Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesiology. She works as a nurse anesthetist providing anesthesia for surgeries, procedures and labor and delivery at North American Partners in Anesthesia and Envision Physician Services.
She has six years of U.S. Army Reserve experience, eight years as a critical care nurse and 15 years as a nurse anesthetist “serving our country and the people of the community.”
“I am proud to be a veteran and in the nursing field for over 24 years, and in doing both I have cared for and protected the citizens of our nation,” Ferreri said. “I am a leader, team player and an extremely hard worker with a strong work ethic. I am honest and believe that integrity and accountability are imperative. I am motivated, organized, responsible and not afraid to fight for the citizens of our community.”
In addition to her military and medical experience, Ferreri has completed seven volunteer medical missions to third-world countries and volunteered to serve on boards/committees for organizations such as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Girl Scouts.
“I decided to run for City Council to continue my career of service, but this time focus on the community that my husband and I live in, and plan to live in, for many years,” she said. “I believe that Somers Point has great potential for more and better events for the residents and its seasonal visitors. I want to be part of a strong team of leaders who look at what is best for our community and public interests.”
She believes her career and military training make her a quality candidate for office.
“Between my time in the U.S. Army, my years earning my education and my volunteer work, I have gained skills such as leadership, time management, organization, responsibility and willingness to learn,” Ferreri said.
She said one of the top issues in the community is the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s proposal to close Garden State Parkway Exit 30 and create a full interchange at Exit 29.
“We must support our local small businesses and making this change would be detrimental to them,” she said.
Another issue she thinks is important is improving the bayfront for boaters and small businesses along Bay Avenue.
“Dredging will allow access to those patrons who currently find those businesses unobtainable during a low tide,” she said.
KAREN BRUNO
Karen Bruno is a teacher and award-winning columnist. She has a 37-year-old son who lives in Somers Point.
Bruno earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a teaching certification from Stockton University and works for Atlantic Cape Community College preparing students to pass the GED, learn skills to return to the workforce or return to college or a professional program. She also writes a weekly history column for The Sentinel newspapers and has won a Philadelphia Press Club Award.
Bruno has worked in the mental health field as a social worker and has taught English to adults from around the world.
“I’ve worked with people from many backgrounds helping them to obtain hous-ing, employment, health services and a good education for their children,” she said.
She raised her son in Somers Point and took care of her parents for 10 years.
“I know what an amazing community Somers Point is and I know the limitations and problems that need to be addressed,” she said.
Bruno is one of the founding members of the Atlantic County Women’s Center, through which she sheltered women and pets in her home. The advocacy led to outreach in the community and a drive to succeed.
“At one point, the police called us and asked for training. There was absolutely no training at the time and very little literature available,” she said. “We weren’t sure what to do but we knew that no one else was going to do it. I learned that not knowing what to do shouldn’t stop you. When things are important, you learn everything you need to and you step up and do it.”
Bruno said she previously served on the Somers Point Business School Partner-ship, Art Goes to School, the Parent Teacher Association and the Good Ol’ Days festival committee.
Bruno said she is passionate about addressing and solving problems.
“I am good at seeing character and good qualities and ideas in others and support-ing them in achieving what we set out to achieve,” she said. “I’ve worked as a social worker throughout Atlantic County and know what resources are available. I’m good at writing and obtaining grants and can find sources that will give taxpayers what they need without raising taxes.”
Bruno said she would like to address infrastructure issues in the city.
“Flooding has always been a problem,” she said. “People lose their cars in sudden summer rainstorms. Houses are threatened every time we have a storm.”
She would follow the city of Philadelphia’s lead in planting the proper vegetation to solve the problem.
She said more people are spending time outside during the COVID-19 pandemic and that trees help alleviate depression.
“They also lower heating bills and save money. Studies have shown that trees planted outside schools raise math and English scores,” she said.
She also wants to provide support and services for the city’s most vulnerable pop-ulations.
“2017 statistics showed that we have a 12.8 percent poverty rate. Since COVID-19, I’m sure it’s much higher and will continue to be an even greater problem in the future,” she said.
Bruno said there are many individuals and organizations in the city that work to address the issues related to poverty and she would like to help them continue to do so.
“Somers Point is an amazing community. People volunteer to address and solve problems,” she said. “As soon as COVID-19 began, one of
JAMES OSLER
James Osler, 32, is a U.S. Army veteran and father who grew up in Linwood and moved to the city about seven years ago.
He and his wife, Devon — who grew up in Somers Point — have a 5-year-old son, Jimmy, who just started kindergarten at Dawes Av-enue School.
The 2006 Mainland Regional High School graduate served six years as an infantry soldier and now works as an HVAC installer/service technician with a local company. He believes those experiences make him a good candidate for public office.
“Serving in the U.S. Army as well as my career as an HVAC technician have given me experience in leadership, attention to detail and problem-solving skills,” Osler said. “I developed a strong sense of stability, organization and problem-solving skills that I feel make me a strong candidate.”
As the father of a young child, he wants to see the community thrive.
“We want our children to enjoy the childhood we had here and one day raise their own families right here in Somers Point,” he said. “I believe the best way to achieve this is to get involved with our community leadership.”
Osler said serving in the military provided him with the qualities necessary to represent the residents of the second ward.
“I believe very strongly in the Army core values — honor, loyalty, respect, selfless service, duty and courage,” he said.
Osler said after listening to members of the community, two issues regarding the Garden State Parkway need to be addressed — the pedestrian walkway and the plan to close Exit 30 and create a full exchange at Exit 29.
“The bike path (over the bridge connecting the city to Upper Township in Cape May County) is beautiful. However, there are safety concerns about getting to it,” he said.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority built the 10-foot-wide multiuse path as part of the replacement of the southbound span in 2019 but did not unlock the gates until this summer, and then only on the Upper Township side because Somers Point officials are not comfortable with the lead-up to the path on their side.
The 1.5-mile path stretches across Great Egg Harbor Bay from a ramp near the Beesleys Point beach to a parking area near the Great Egg Harbor Toll Plaza on the Somers Point side.
The problem is pedestrians and bicyclists must cross Exit 29, where northbound cars enter Somers Point, to get to sidewalks along Somers Point-Mays Landing Road and Route 9.
The other issue is the Turnpike Authority’s plan to create a full inter-change at Exit 29 and close Exit 30, a plan a group of residents characterize as moving a problem from one neighborhood to another.
“If we fight to stop the parkway exit project that our community has made clear it does not want, I would fight to reallocate those funds to creating a safe and defined path leading up to and over the parkway exit,” Osler said.
