SOMERS POINT — City Council got a new member and a new president Jan. 2 during its annual reorganization meeting.
U.S. Air Force veteran Morgan Slaughter defeated Mike Owen 935-872 on Nov. 4 to represent Ward 2, her first time serving in office.
Slaughter, 44, is a lifelong resident of the city, where her parents are longtime residents as well.
Her stepfather, John DiMaria, who served as mayor for four years and on City Council, performed the swearing-in as her son Ryder, 17, held the Bible.
“I truly appreciate the community’s trust and support and belief in me to serve the community,” she said. “I want to thank my family, my son and all my friends and loved ones for their support and dealing with the multiple elections and the time that I’ve put into it to get elected. I definitely don’t take this responsibility lightly.
“I look forward to listening to the residents, working collaboratively and being accessible and responsive to the needs of the community. My goal is to serve with integrity, transparency and genuine dedication to making Somers Point an even better place to live and raise our families,” Slaughter said.
She said she looks forward to getting to know the various city departments “so that I too can work alongside and make all of the departments work cohesively together and happily.”
Slaughter thanked the voters for placing their trust in her.
“I’m excited to get to work and I’m definitely honored to serve the people of Somers Point.”
Slaughter attended Northwest Florida State College, where she earned an associate degree while actively serving in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the USAF, she earned a nursing degree from Atlantic Cape Community College and is now seeking a master’s degree in nursing from William Patterson University.
She spent two years in the emergency room at Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and more than 10 years with AtlantiCare, where she was on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slaughter currently serves as a nurse case manager at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.
In Ward 1, longtime incumbent Sean McGuigan beat community activist Levi Fox 1,161-881 for his seventh consecutive term after first being elected in 2007. The 62-year-old last ran for re-election in 2022.
He thanked his family for attending the ceremony.
“I am honored and humbled to be put back in this seat, and I look forward to working hard again for the citizens of this great town,” McGuigan said. “It’s been a real honor to serve this community, and I look forward to doing it again.”
Councilman Kirk Gerety was chosen unanimously to serve as president, a role that he holds with the Somers Point Historical Society. He also was a trustee for the Atlantic County Historical Society and has done a lot of other volunteering. “This has always been an exceptional town. We’ve always been able to get people when we needed them to come out and give their time to help this community,” he said. “Because we all live here and we all think it’s the greatest place around.”
Gerety 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.
The 68-year-old has been on council for 19 of the past 31 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 participated the design of the Route 52 project, working as the city contact point for the residents affected by the construction.
Calling out County Commissioner John Risley, Gerety noted he replaced the longtime politician 31 years ago when he was elected to serve Atlantic County.
“You were sitting in this seat, and you were newly elected as freeholder at the time. I was a lot younger and a lot better looking, and was a deer in the headlights when I got here and learned how to do this job,” he said. “I can imagine how Morgan feels a little bit here.”
Mayor Tapp reflects
on past year, looks ahead
Mayor Dennis Tapp looked back on 2025 and ahead to 2026.
“Somers Point continues to grow and thrive, and that’s because of the dedication and vision of this council and this community,” he said.
He listed some accomplishments from the past year, noting the city “saw major strides in housing development projects … not only bringing new life to our neighborhoods, but each includes an affordable housing component, ensuring that Somers Point remains a place where everyone can call home.”
Tapp said the city also has “worked hard to preserve our maritime heritage, the cornerstone of our identity,” with the opening of South Jersey Yachts, the new Waypoint Marina on Bay Avenue and the upcoming Vahalla Boat Sales on Somers Point-Mays Landing Road, “and enforce our commitment to boating and fishing traditions that define our waterfront community.”
Tapp mentioned the many infrastructure improvements — “We’ve got detours all over the place.”
“Safety improvements along Shore Road, Route 9, Bay Avenue are under way to make travel safer and more efficient for all of us. These projects are investments in the future and create a stronger, safer city for generations to come,” he said.
Tapp also touted “exciting things” on the economic front, such as the Paddle Club and Bay Ave. Brewery, which he said “will complete the north end of the historic district and bring new energy and commerce to the area.”
The mayor looked forward to some large developments coming to fruition in 2026, including ALDI, Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread, “new businesses that will generate ratables, help stabilize our tax base and keep Somers Point financially strong.
“These accomplishments reflect the shared vision, growth and respect of our heritage, revitalization that strengthens our economy and planning that ensures a bright future for all,” he said.
– STORY and PHOTO by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
At top, Morgan Slaughter is sworn as a new member of Somers Point City Council by her stepfather, John DiMaria, a former city mayor, as her son, Ryder, holds the Bible Jan. 2.