He just moved to O.C.; brings marketing and a business mindset
By ERIC AVEDISSIAN/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY – Gabe Staino filed his application to run as a candidate in the Second Ward council race. Four four-year ward seats are up for grabs in the May 12 municipal election.
Ocean City’s Second Ward extends from the south side of Fourth Street to the north side of 12th Street.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Staino, 67, has lived in the area since 1983 and in Ocean City since July 2019. He previously lived in Longport and Absecon in Atlantic County.
Staino was in the automobile business for 38 years, including operations at Atlantic Chrysler on Tilton Road in Egg Harbor Township.
He became one of the board members of the Stockton Foundation and became affiliated with the March of Dimes telethon.
“I did a whole lot of foundational kind of work and volunteer work in a lot of the local communities. I was one of the founders of the Atlantic City Classic which is now the ShopRite Classic,” Staino said. “Volunteerism has always been a big part of what I am.”
After moving back to Pennsylvania to manage another car dealership, Staino returned to the Jersey shore.
“This is where I’ve been predominantly for the last 25 years,” Staino said.
Staino is major gifts consultant for the AtlantiCare Foundation, where he helps raise money for various projects.
His interest in running for political office came when former Second Ward councilman Antwan McClellan vacated his council seat after being elected to the New Jersey Assembly with Lower Township Mayor Erik Simonsen last November.
McClellan left council in January, just days before he was inaugurated to represent the First Legislative District. Council chose not to appoint someone to fill his seat, leaving it open.
“When Antwan won the election to become the assemblyman I had some people ask me if I would consider running for his seat, which is what I’m doing. Antwan has fully blessed it,” Staino said.
According to Staino, the Second Ward is diverse and comprised of a majority of the island’s businesses and attractions.
“I have a particular acumen for marketing, plus I have a business mindset. I think what I bring to the Second Ward is a business perspective. I’ve always had a community perspective because that’s what I’ve done even when I was in business,” Staino said. “I think merging those two together will be a benefit because I’ll bring a lot of years’ experience and a different type of marketing.”
Staino said he has name recognition because of his career in regional charities.
“I think that will help the Second Ward,” Staino said. “I think the idea that I want Ocean City to be what it is. It is the greatest family resort and I want it continue to be that. Hopefully I can help make it better.”
Staino said this is his first time running for public office.
“What I like about council is it’s nonpolitical and nonpartisan in a sense. We’ll work together and we’ll make it work,” Staino said. “I think that’s been the hallmark for the last few years particularly under (Council President) Pete Madden is council has worked together and they’ve gotten things done and that’s what I want to continue.”
Other candidates have come forward and filed their applications for council, including: Tomaso Rotondi, Second Ward; and incumbent Third Ward Councilman Tony Wilson and Fourth Ward Councilman Bob Barr.
The last day to file petitions for the May 12 municipal election is at 4 p.m. Monday, March 9.
The minimum number of signed petitions required for each candidate is 1 percent of the registered voters in the ward, but not less than 25.
The number of registered voters in Ward 1 is 2,630; 2,031 in Ward 2; 2,248 in Ward 3; and 2,418 in Ward 4.
Drawing positions for the ballot will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13 in the city clerk’s office.