SOMERS POINT — City Council has a new president following its reorganization meeting Jan. 3, when Charlie Haberkorn replaced Councilwoman Janice Johnston in the position.
“I’m looking forward to bringing a collaborative and common-sense approach to my new role and looking to work with all council members, professionals, volunteers and employees to accomplish the priorities and a sense of continuous improvement for our residents and guests here in Somers Point,” Haberkorn said.
The Ward II representative was elected in November 2023 after serving on the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission and Somers Point Board of Education. He also is a member of Lawson’s Pride, a local group that supports the U.S. Coast Guard.
Haberkorn and his wife, Linda, have two children and five grandchildren.
The graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland has more than 40 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry, where he learned management and leadership skills. He now is owner of Somers Bay Consulting Services.
Johnston, who serves Ward I, won re-election to her second full term in November and was sworn in by Maureen Kern, a former city councilwoman and current chair of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners. Johnston’s husband Charlie Falkenstein held the Bible.
“I would like to congratulate my counterparts on getting re-elected and I’d like to thank all of the voters for voting for me to continue to do this job; I take it very seriously. I’m very happy with the progress that we’ve made the last couple years — a lot of good things are happening here in Somers Point — and I have the utmost confidence in Mr. Haberkorn that he will continue to lead us to make even better things happen,” she said.
Johnston was appointed to the seat in July 2019. She was elected that November to serve the remainder of the three-year term and chosen as council president during the re-organization meeting in January 2021.
Johnston, who is married and has two step-children, two grandchildren and two cats, grew up in Delaware County, Pa., with four brothers and spent summers in Somers Point before moving there permanently in 1975.
Councilman Howard Dill, who won only his second contested race for City Council since the first time in 2009, edged out challenger Morgan Slaughter to retain his seat. He was sworn in to his sixth consecutive term by City Clerk Shelby Heath as his granddaughter Emily Dill held the Bible.
Dill served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969-75, attaining the rank of drill sergeant/staff sergeant E-6.
Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, he moved to Somers Point at age 17 out of high school and later earned certification as a public works manager.
A retired director of the Ocean City Public Works Department who worked for Somers Point for 22 years, Dill and his wife of 52 years have three children and six grandchildren. His two sons are city police officers.
Councilman Kirk Gerety, joined by his wife, Margie, took the oath of office for the seventh time.
City Council approved a resolution Sept. 12 appointing Gerety to the at-large seated vacated by Joe McCarrie, who resigned Aug. 12. He then was re-elected to a full term in November.
When he was sworn in by Heath, it was almost 30 years to the day since he was first sworn in to City Council. He joined the board in 1995, 2015 and 2024.
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 representing Ward I, won re-election in 2017 then decided not to run again in 2020.
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 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 tempore, 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 affected by the construction.
Mayor Dennis Tapp shared his excitement for the year ahead, saying 2025 would bring new opportunities for growth and revitalization.
“This year, we are moving forward with the development of new retail spaces and housing that will not only enhance the beauty of our city but also provide more jobs, services and affordable living options for our residents,” he said. “We’re committed to ensuring that these projects reflect our values of sustainability and quality of life. Together we will work to build a brighter, more vibrant future for all.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
