Incumbent from Linwood faces Somers Point councilman in Atlantic County
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
The race for seats on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders includes two local candidates vying for an at-large seat, which represents the entire county.
Incumbent Caren Fitzpatrick, who is wrapping up her first term in office, faces a challenge from Somers Point City Councilman James Toto.
Fitzpatrick, 61, lived in Pleasantville and Somers Point before moving to Linwood in 2013. She is a graduate of Mainland Regional High School and later earned an AAS degree in accounting from Atlantic Cape Community College, a bachelor’s degree in administration from Thomas Edison State College and a master’s degree in business administration from Stockton University.
She is director of finance and administration at Meet AC Inc., the sales and marketing force that supports the Atlantic City Convention Center. She has worked in finance for more than 20 years in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, gaining experience in budgeting, forecasting and fiscal responsibility.
Fitzpatrick is running with Celeste Fernandez of Pleasantville.
Toto, 50, is originally from rural Cranbury Township, Middlesex County. He moved to Somers Point in 2004 and is a supervisor for the Ocean City Public Works Department, through which he is a member of the Communications Workers of America Local 1078.
Toto, a U.S. Army veteran, joined Somers Point City Council in 2016 when Councilwoman Maureen Kern left to serve on the freeholder board. He won election to City Council’s Ward 2 seat in November 2017.
Toto earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in aviation science. He later returned to the Army, serving in Psychological Operations Special Operations Command. After leaving the military, he flew helicopters before serving for six years as a U.S. Air Marshal.
Toto is running with incumbent John Risley Jr. of Egg Harbor Township.
The nine-member Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders has five district representatives and four at-large members who serve three-year terms. Chairman Frank Formica is a Republican at-large member, while Vice Chairwoman Maureen Kern, of Somers Point, is a Republican representing District 2.
District 1 is represented by Democrat Ernest Coursey of Atlantic City, District 3 is represented by Democrat Ashley Bennett of Egg Harbor Township, District 4 is represented by Republican Richard Dase of Galloway Township and District 5 is represented by Republican James Bertino of Hammonton. At-large members include Democrat Caren Fitzpatrick of Linwood, Republican Amy Gatto of Mays Landing and Republican John Risley Jr.
Following are their responses to a questionnaire provided by The Sentinel of Somers Point, Linwood and Northfield:
CAREN FITZPATRICK
Family: Fitzpatrick and her husband, Brian, have an adult son and daughter-in-law who have two children.
Experience relative to serving: I’m the incumbent, with 3 years’ experience on the job. Additionally, my career in financial responsibility and compliance are a unique fit with responsible governing, and my experience with social services affords me insight into how to help people navigate the maze-like government system to gain the assistance and services they want and need.
Why do you want to serve?: To continue to bring new, fresh ideas to improve Atlantic County; to be a voice for those not previously heard by their government; to ensure all residents are treated with the respect they deserve; to ask hard questions of funding and spending requests and to vote independently of the majority when it is appropriate to do so, in support of the residents of Atlantic County.
What skills do you have that would make you a good candidate?: I’m empathetic but smart. I’m cautious but not afraid to lead. I know a good spend versus a bad one, and I have varied life experiences that enable me to understand how certain decisions will affect people in their everyday lives.
Why should someone vote for you rather than your opponent?: My platform is based on inclusiveness, conservative spending while making sure all residents have the basic necessities of life, and integrity. I believe everyone has something to bring to the table.
What do you think are the top issues the community is facing today and in the future?: The top issue in Atlantic County continues, as it has for the long past, to be jobs, taxes and the economy. Until we can figure out how to employ more people and entice more to move here, we will continue to suffer with this. Our population has decreased over the past eight years, making fewer people responsible for the tax burden of the county.
What can be done to address these issues?: The COVID pandemic has shown the potential of working remotely, and since we don’t have the physical infrastructure to have Atlantic County residents easily commute physically to metropolitan work centers, we should market and exploit the opportunity to live here in Atlantic County and work remotely for companies around the world. We know it’s possible, practical and doable. Bring that big-city money home to Atlantic County.
JAMES TOTO
Age, family — Toto has a son and two daughters and is married to his wife, Beverly.
Experience relative to serving — As a young man, I have proudly served our nation in the United States Army. After September 11th, I once again answered our nation’s call, serving as a Federal Air Marshal. Since then I have proudly worked in the Ocean City Public Works Department.
Why do you want to serve?: Service has been a hallmark of my adult life. I have made a steadfast commitment to service as a veteran and an air marshal. I have also worked as a field engineer for DY Consultants, an aviation engineering firm, overseeing construction and rehabilitation projects. Right now I have a decade of service in Ocean City Public Works and four years as a Somers Point councilman. As a young man, I have traveled this country and world all over and chose Atlantic County as home. I want to ensure that Atlantic County has a bright future.
What skills do you have that would make you a good candidate?: I am a firm believer in leading by example. I have spent three decades in and out of serving the community in various capacities — public, private and charity. I believe that my experience gives me the ability to work with people, from different backgrounds, in order to create progress here in Atlantic County.
Why should someone vote for you rather than your opponent?: I understand the role of the freeholder better than most, so I can hit the ground running. I have worked with the freeholder board on environmental, infrastructure and development issues. I have been consistent in my belief that law enforcement needs to be supported by all of us. Also, if elected I would be the only veteran on the freeholder board, which I think adds a needed perspective.
What do you think are the top issues the community is facing today and in the future?: We need to stay focused on job creation, taxes and our infrastructure.
What can be done to address these issues? Create an economic environment to attract companies and encourage ownership. Gov. Murphy and the Democrat mentality of spend, then tax, obviously isn’t working for New Jersey and it definitely isn’t working for the average person who wants to live and work in Atlantic County. We need to create an opportunity for people to have affordable college tuition or labor/trades education, like at (Atlantic Cape Community College) or (Atlantic County Institute of Technology). Our best and brightest are leaving New Jersey for outside universities and are staying there to work.
