Oceanport's Ibex will not seek re-election

Oceanport's Ibex will not seek re-election
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

John "Ted" Ibex
OCEANPORT — The prospect of another drawn-out political campaign season was appealing for an Oceanport councilman.

John "Ted" Ibex said last week that he will end his political career rather than go through it all one more time.

"I'm not a political person," Ibex said. "I'm not interested in campaigning."

Ibex said he bounced around the idea of running unopposed, which is something he was interested in, but once the ticket became too crowded, he decided to step back.

"I would have done it," Ibex said. "Like I said, I'm not a political person."

Ibex, a Democrat, will end his tenure on the Oceanport Borough Council after a four-year term.

"When my term expires, I will have served Oceanport for 21 years," Ibex said, "17 years on the Board of Education and four on the council."

Oceanport Borough Clerk/Administrator Kimberly Jungfer confirmed that current council President William Johnson and Gerald

Bertekap will run on the Republican ticket for two council seats up for election, while write-in candidate Lester "Tom" Cox will run on the Democratic side in the Nov. 3 general election.

Although he is leaving the council, Ibex left open the possibility of serving the borough in some capacity. He said he is open to joining a committee if nominated for a position.

"I've enjoyed serving Oceanport," Ibex said. "I would like to continue.

"I have 40 years of business experience as a CPA. I think my experience in finance is excellent. I could contribute significantly in a financial way."

According to Ibex, Oceanport faces some big issues in the future, but none are likely to have the impact that the impending closing of Fort Monmouth will have.

"We need to manage our future the best we can," Ibex said. "In terms of impact, Fort Monmouth closing is important to Oceanport."

But Ibex does not believe that Oceanport will be overwhelmed by the fort's closing.

"I think we are prepared when it eventually closes," Ibex said. "We have been actively involved in all aspects of it, especially the planning. We hired our own planner when Fort Monmouth became an issue.

"We have a vision on what the impact will be," Ibex said. "We need to keep our eye on the ball that way.

"We have accomplished a lot in managing Fort Monmouth."

While there are some serious issues facing the borough, Ibex believes the right people are in place to get the job done.

"We have had a lean budget, a very good public works department, and an excellent police department," Ibex said.

"We have people in place interested in growth and keeping the budget under control."

While it sometimes may be difficult to cross party lines within a council, it has not been a problem recently in Oceanport, according to Ibex.

"We are in control and have a unified view of the situation," Ibex said. "We have collectively worked well together as a council.

"We worked well together regardless of whether there is a D or an R in front of our names."

While Ibex will no longer be running for political office, he has no desire to leave Oceanport.

"I've lived in Oceanport for 40 years, since I got out of the Army in 1969, and I have no intention of leaving."

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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