5 candidates competing in 2 Wards
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — Two former councilmen and three newcomers — one with familial ties to two members of the current governing body — are vying for two seats in the City Council election Nov. 3.
Republicans Dave Notaro and Tom Polistina both previously served on council and have played active roles in the city through volunteerism.
Notaro is seeking the Ward 1 seat he held from 2006-08 and faces competition from independent Alicia Garry and Democrat Lisa Lehne-Gilmore. Neither has served in elected office before but Garry is familiar with the workings of city government as the sister of Mayor Erland Chau and sister-in-law of Councilman Greg Dewees.
She told The Sentinel that she decided to run as an independent because the Northfield Republican Club chose to back Notaro as its candidate. Notaro said she did so against the wishes of both the city GOP and county committee.
Polistina, who represented Ward 1 from 2011-13, is vying for the Ward 2 seat against Democrat Rich Dicriscio.
While running for office for the first time, DiCriscio is legislative director for Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo, a former city mayor, and John Armato, both D-Atlantic.
The seats are being left vacant by two members who chose not to seek re-election — Jim O’Neill and Susan Korngut. O’Neill, a Republican, served three terms on City Council, while Korngut, a Democrat, served one. She is one of four Democrats now in the majority, with Council President Frank Perri, Councilwoman Barbara Madden and Councilman Paul Utts, and the Republicans would wrest back control if both Notaro and Polistina were to win.
The Northfield Democrat Club has scheduled a meet and greet with the candidates from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at Four Seasons Condominiums. The cost of admission is a donation of nonperishable food for the food bank.
Look for upcoming Republican campaign events at facebook.com/david.notaro.31.
WARD 1
LISA LEHNE-GILMORE
Lisa Lehne-Gilmore is a retired special-education teacher who has worked in the mental health field and with disabled adults.
The 66-year-old widow has lived in the city for 37 years and has two sons, Abraham and Liam, who graduated from Mainland Regional High School.
She grew up in Berkeley Heights, Union County, and now lives at Four Seasons Condominiums, where she serves as president of the homeowners association.
She earned a liberal arts degree from what is now Stockton University in 1983 and worked for the Pleasantville School District, retiring in 2015.
“Retiring allowed me time to actively participate in politics,” she said.
She also has worked in mental health with the AtlantiCare Programs in Assertive Community Treatment team, the Alzheimer’s Center at Caring and was director of the United Cerebral Palsy Person Centered Planning project for people with disabilities.
Lehne-Gilmore has not been politically active in the past but does have some experience in governance. She said as president of the homeowners association, she oversees a $450,000 annual budget. She said she reviewed contracts and reduced annual spending by $25,000 last year. Lehne-Gilmore also started a successful forum to address residents’ concerns and ideas for improvement.
She said she would like to serve the city to help reduce spending and make the city a great place to live.
“I want to work with the council to spend taxpayers’ money responsibly, build community services, activities and pride,” she said, adding that she is honest and a good listener. “I work hard to understand all sides of issues and question ripple effects of decisions. I value people working together for the good of Northfield, without regard to political parties.”
Lehne-Gilmore said the most pressing issue for the city is rebounding from the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on the community. She also would like to find ways to increase the city ratable base. She believes both goals can be accomplished through cooperation.
“I believe we need to listen to our citizens and business owners — they can best describe their issues and offer ideas — then work together to find achievable solutions,” she said.
ALICIA GARRY
Alicia Garry is a licensed occupational therapy assistant with more than 20 years of experience.
She is a 40-plus-year resident of the city, where she and her husband, Bill Garry, raised two children. They now have four grandchildren.
Garry, 61, is a product of the Northfield School District and graduate of Mainland Regional High School. Her son attended Northfield Community School and her daughter was a student at MRHS.
“I have spent most of my life in this wonderful town, which has given me the opportunity to grow up in and raise my children and see my grandchildren growing up in this town, too,” Garry said. “It’s my time to help those that gave so much and lay a sound foundation for Northfield.”
Garry earned a bachelor’s degree in pubilc health administration with a minor in business studies from Stockton University in 2007. She also holds an associate degree in education and another in occupational therapy from Atlantic Cape Community College.
Garry has not held elected office but believes the experiences she has gained through education, work and community volunteerism have contributed to the person she is today.
“My experiences in always wanting to help others, listening to people’s concerns/issues/problems, finding resources to help others, researching and contacting sources to achieve resolution and respecting every person and acknowledging they are important and matter,” she said. “These experiences are the same things I want to continue doing when elected to council in Ward 1.”
Garry is the sister of Mayor Erland Chau but said that should not be a factor in her candidacy. In fact, she said, she is running as an independent because the city Republican Party, of which her brother is a member, chose opponent David Notaro over her to represent its interests.
“I want to be an independent voice for Northfield with my allegiance to all of my constituents,” she said. “I want to give back to Northfield and continue to help it grow and flourish for future generations.”
She said dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will further strain the city’s finances.
“We are living through tough times due to COVID-19. People have lost their loved ones, their jobs and their businesses because of this horrible pandemic,” she said. “There will be a lot of tough choices when it comes to our town’s budget, and I believe with my work experience and my many years of volunteerism working with families in this great town, I am the candidate who can make the tough choices for Northfield.”
Garry believes she has the right qualities to serve on City Council.
“I am a person who will always be honest and transparent. If I don’t know something, I will research each issue and find the right answer or direct you to the right source,” she said. “I am organized, a good listener and always willing to accept a challenge. I will always give it my all and acknowledge each person with respect.”
Garry said she would be dedicated to her constituents.
“I have lived in Northfield for over 40 years and I have seen many changes, good and bad, but I believe Northfield needs new ideas, diversity and changes that help all residents,” she said. “I want to be an independent voice for Northfield with my allegiance to all of my constituents. I will not be a puppet for the party bosses and I will not be influenced by anyone because of politics.”
She characterized her lack of council experience as a plus.
“I have never served on Northfield Council, thereby starting with a fresh slate,” she said, adding that she is familiar with the process from regularly attending council meetings and being
DAVE NOTARO
Dave Notaro is a self-employed builder and landscaper who owns Notaro Construction and Landscaping.
He has experience in governing from serving on the city’s Planning Board and City Council and wants to get involved again “so our residents and businesses have a bigger voice.”
“In these trying times, their voices need to be heard and their input and ideas should be appreciated,” he said. “I truly just want to build on an already-great town — the town I grew up in, the town that is and always will be the ideal place to live.”
Notaro, 50, and his wife of 23 years, Belinda, have three children — a son and daughter who are students at Mainland Regional High School and a daughter who attends Northfield Community School. His wife works part time at a spa but mostly runs the household.
Notaro is a 1989 graduate of Mainland Regional High School and studied at Atlantic Cape Community College.
“I’ve lived in Northfield my entire life and I’ve volunteered in and out of most city entities and have a great understanding of the needs of the people and businesses alike,” he said. “Being a town resident for 50 years I only want what’s best for all of us.”
Notaro previously used that knowledge of building and experience as a small-business owner while serving on the Planning Board in 2005 and City Council from Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2008.
Notaro said he believes his business-management and “common-sense people skills” would make him a good councilman.
“With a broad understanding in the construction field, I can bring my skills to grants for city projects such as infrastructure improvements and changes,” he said.
Notaro said his top priorities are city and school taxes, communication and unity between all entities of the city and local businesses.
“We are all in it together for one common goal,” he said.
Regarding city taxes, he said he would like to go over all of the city’s budgets and look for more ways to “trim the fat and keep budgets at a minimal 0 percent increase.”
While school taxes are controlled solely by the Board of Education, Notaro thinks forming a working relationship with the board or its financial committee could both help heal the rift created by the crossing guard situation (the school district never accounted for the need to have more crossing guard coverage in its back-to-school plan and did not follow state guidelines recommending all stakeholders be involved in forming the plan, thus placing a $140,000 burden on the city) and possibly save money.
“We used to meet with the school board and go over the budget and they could find some money to cut,” Notaro said. “We would meet with the board — the mayor and liaison — and try to bring it down.”
He said the cooperation stopped at some point and now the city must take “a more diplomatic approach” to addressing the steadily rising school tax rate.
“If we can form a good working relationship with the school, ask them to work for the people, then we might accomplish something,” he said.
Notaro said he is open to shared services but that “each sharing situation has many different moving parts so some work and some do not.”
His plan to improve the business district would start with creation of a working economic business development committee comprised of local business leaders, a liaison from the planning/zoning boards and City Council.
“These committees would be responsible for monthly or bi-monthly meetings … to help small business grow and prosper. If our commercial district is strong, we will all benefit,” he said.
Another plan would be to review and update “antiquated ordinances.”
WARD 2
RICH DiCRISCIO
Rich DiCriscio, 30, has worked in politics for most of his adult life.
Born and raised in the city, he is legislative director for Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, both D-Atlantic, and works in the district office on Route 9.
“I was lucky enough to be raised in Northfield and have the opportunity to work for my local assemblymen. This has given me a firsthand look at local politics, the issues facing Northfield and the opportunity to work to solve these issues,” DiCriscio said.
He graduated from Mainland Regional High School in 2008 and Stockton University in 2013, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. He met his wife, Liz, while in college and lived in Philadelphia before returning to Northfield.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to buy a house here with my wife. I immediately became involved with the Northfield Democratic Club when I moved back home in 2018,” he said.
DiCriscio’s parents have lived in the city since 2000, having worked in the casinos. He said they have been faithful Republican voters since they moved to the region but that he is the first in his family to get involved in politics.
The “proud Democrat” said he loves the city and would like to be part of making it an even better place to live and raise a family.
“It’s a wonderful place to live, but there are clearly some major issues facing all of us right now. I want to serve on council because I think I’d add a unique perspective and I’d be able to work well with everyone,” he said.
DiCriscio said he decided to run for office in January, before the coronavirus pandemic began in the U.S., noting it has changed the way he campaigned.
“I expected to hold in-person events and knock on all the doors in my ward, but I’ve made the decision to keep all of my campaign virtual or by phone to mitigate any risk of spread,” DiCrisco said, noting that COVID-19 will have long-lasting effects and create problems that need solutions.
DiCrisio said he recognizes how the pandemic has affected city finances and believes belt-tightening is in order.
“Some of the effects of COVID, like budgetary constraints, will be felt for a long time. First, the city can’t add any unnecessary spending right now,” he said. “We lost $175,000 in state aid for the school, the split sessions for NCS (Northfield Community School) created the crossing guard issue and it’s abundantly clear that the effects of the pandemic will be felt for quite a long time. We need leadership in the city that’s proactive, creative, hardworking and ready to work collaboratively.”
DiCriscio said now, more than ever, cooperation will be the key to moving forward.
“I’m a proud Democrat, but I firmly believe that there’s no Democratic or Republican way to fix a pothole,” he said. “Democrats and Republicans in Northfield agree on a lot more things when it comes to the future of our town than they disagree on and we’ll need to work collaboratively to get through COVID-19 and its long-term effects. I want Northfield Ward 2 residents to choose me as their representative on council because I’m hardworking, thoughtful and willing to work cooperatively with anyone on their behalf.”
DiCriscio thinks he would be an asset to the governing body.
“I’m thoughtful and I wouldn’t make any decision reflexively. I’d always look to build consensus with Republicans and independents. I’m hardworking and I look for creative solutions that affect all of us,” he said.
DiCriscio wants to work locally to effect change more broadly.
“The most pressing issue today is COVID-19 and the devastating effects that it has on almost every part of our lives,” he said. “Affordability is another issue that affects Northfield and most of our state. Finally, climate change and its increasingly worse effects is an issue that obviously will affect everyone across the globe.”
DiCriscio’s legislative experience allows him to see how other legislators around the state have handled issues similar to what the city faces.
“We should also look to seek out any grants that may be available to us that aren’t being utilized right now. If you look to North Jersey, Congressman (Josh) Gottheimer’s office has helped his local municipalities find grant opportunities that they weren’t taking advantage of. Our representative (U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic) hasn’t done this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t seek some of these out ourselves,” he said. “It would be one way to rein in spending while continuing to offer the great services that Northfield provides.
DiCriscio also support shared services as a way to “reduce spending while continuing to provide the same level of services.”
Finally, DiCrisco is a supporter of green energy solutions.
“Climate change is an issue that needs to be tackled by every level of government. Some folks see this as an issue for the federal government to solve by itself, but we need to do our part in local government as well,” he said. “We already have a great partner in (the Atlantic County Utilities Authority) but we can do more. The goal of net-zero emissions won’t be achieved if local, county and state governments aren’t all on the same page.”
TOM POLISTINA
Tom Polistina has a background in finance and previous experience on City Council.
He grew up in Ventnor and moved to Galloway Township, graduating from Oakcrest High School in 1981. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business/accounting from what is now Stockton University in 1985, then worked in the casino industry in various finance and management departments, as well as at AC Coin and Slot, until 2006. He now works as an accountant at Nicholas A. Droboniku CPA on Route 9.
He and his fiancée, Patricia Larson, have four adult children. His two daughters, Marissa and Courtney Polistina, graduated from Northfield Community School and Mainland Regional High School and both have completed their undergraduate and master’s degrees.
Larson’s daughter Kelly Larson has completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees and her son Joe Larson graduated from MRHS and is attending Rutgers University Law School.
“I could not undertake this task without Patti’s support and the support of our children,” he said.
In addition to his council experience, Polistina served on the city’s Little League board for 20 years and coached for seven years. He also volunteered to develop the Northfield Veterans Park and has been on the board since its inception more than eight years ago.
Polistina said he believes his professional and political experience make him a good candidate.
“I am familiar with the processes and operations of the city. In my various finance, management and accounting positions, I have gained significant experience in analysis and supervision of staff, and of course accounting,” he said. “In the casino industry I gained experience in operating departments and budgeting, in addition to internal auditing where I reviewed almost all departments, ensuring internal controls were in place.”
Polistina said he was involved with the city budget when he served on City Council from 2011-13.
“I helped mediate budget changes between opposing council members and involved community members. We took a conservative approach and spread one-time revenue events over several years so that we could have zero or low (tax) increases over many years without any cuts to services,” he said. “Also during my term, I oversaw the city contracting of our ambulance service. I met with the ambulance services, the community and council to negotiate the last no-cost ambulance service contract.”
He said he enjoyed his time on council and would like to serve again.
“I want to serve my community. I enjoyed participating in the governance of the city and having the opportunity to meet so many of our Northfield residents,” he said.
Polistina said he is “level-headed and objective,” traits he sees as important in today’s national political climate.
“With the recent divisive and inflammatory national rhetoric trickling into small towns, especially when one of our council people continues to bring that divisiveness to our town, I just could not stand by on the sidelines and let our town be tarnished,” he said. “We need to take positive steps. We are one community, together.
Polistina was referring to outgoing Councilwoman Susan Korngut, who has attended Black Lives Matter and other social justice rallies and was incorrectly accused of planning to call for the defunding of the city’s police department by a conservative radio talk show hose.
The incident led to a “Back the Blue” rally July 14 on Shore Road in front of City Hall, where more than 200 people gathered to show their support for the police force.
Members of the Black Lives Matter movement organized a counterdemonstration and faced off against a small group of police supporters, during which they were subject to name calling, intimidation and verbal abuse.
Polistina said Northfield is no place for such behavior.
“We don’t feel the city needs that kind of negativity,” Polistina said. “It’s our hometown, our community. I just feel like it’s very divisive.”
In addition to his finance experience, Polistina said he has analytical and communication skills as well as management and supervisory experience and negotiation experience.
“I believe my career experience, coupled with my council experience, makes me a clear choice. I worked very hard during my prior term and I have volunteered in the community,” he said.
He believes the cost to run the city is a major issue now and will continue to be so in the future, especially in the face of our current pandemic and national unrest.
“Similarly, communication and partnership with our school boards and other municipalities are often top issues and have been priorities of our City Council,” he said. “We need to continue to improve the communication and partnerships with them so we can maintain or even increase city services without overspending.”
His plans to address those issues include regional cooperation to lower costs.
“We can partner, if not join services with, school, county and other city administrations. There are many shared services that have been in place or attempted over the years. Some shared services have worked and some have not, but costs will always rise so we need to continue to look for more opportunities,” he said.
Polistina said the community must work together to find solutions.
“Regarding the negativity, we must work together with everyone. We are one community and after all the campaigning is over, we are neighbors and friends,” he said, noting that he,
running mate, Dave Notaro and Northfield Republican Club President Eric Leeds made a gentleman’s agreement with opponent Rich Dicriscio to run clean campaigns.
