SOMERS POINT — City Council accepted the resignation of Councilman Ken Adams without comment Feb. 10 and now is looking toward his replacement.
Adams resigned Feb. 3 just a week after being sworn in after it was discovered that he was barred from serving due to his felony conviction in 2004 for theft and misconduct while chief of the Northfield Police Department. The 60-year-old was appointed Jan. 27 in a unanimous vote to replace former Councilwoman Stacy Ferreri.
City solicitor Tom Smith said during the meeting Thursday that the process for replacing Adams is different than it was for replacing Ferreri.
Ferreri, a Republican, had been elected to the Ward I seat but Adams was appointed. In Ferreri’s case, the Somers Point Republican Club was tasked with providing three options for City Council to choose among. Now, he said, anyone regardless of party can be nominated.
Nominees still have to face the vote of six Republicans and one Democrat.
City Council President Janice Johnston said the city would be accepting nominations and would vote during its next meeting.
She said City Council had received the names of three people interested in the position — Lisa Bender, Joseph W. Keyes and Richard DePamphilis.
Bender, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully against Johnston in 2021. The 45-year-old is a small-business owner, environmental activist and community volunteer who served in AmeriCorps.
DePamphilis, a Republican, was 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. He was recognized in the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Mayors Hall of Fame.
Keyes is a social worker for Atlantic County government who has worked extensively with children and the elderly. The 57-year-old grew up in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia and has been a resident or Meyran Avenue for about 18 years.
He said he is a newcomer to politics who is “just trying to make a difference.”
Smith said each of the three nominees, as well as any others, will have an opportunity to address City Council before they vote. The meetig is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at City Hall.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
