Two O'port Council seats won by GOP

Two O'port Council seats won by GOP
Incumbent, running mate finish ahead of Dem challenger
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

William Johnson William Johnson OCEANPORT — Voters in Oceanport elected two Republicans on Nov. 3 to fill two seats that were up for election on the Borough Council.

Voters overwhelmingly voted to re-elect incumbentWilliamJohnson to another term and selected his running mate Gerald Bertekap to fill a seat currently held by a Democrat.

Johnson received 1,610 votes while Bertekap received 1,520. Democratic challenger Lester T. Cox, attempting to keep control of the seat for his party, fell short with 736 votes. Cox ran for the seat currently held by Councilman John W. Ibex, who chose not to seek re-election

Johnson said he was honored that the voters elected him for another term.

"I'm honored the residents of Oceanport chose to re-elect me to another three-year term," he said in an email. "I would also like to congratulate my running mate and thank our opponent on a clean iss ues-based campaign.

"I believe my reelection is a testament that the people of Oceanport are happy with the direction the town is going in under the current administration," he added.

Gerald Bertekap Gerald Bertekap Johnson went on to say that residents approve of the direction of the Oceanport council.

"I am sure my re-election represents the community's perception of the current mayor and council," he said. "People realize how hard the local governing body is working on such issues as the reuse of Fort Monmouth, environmental issues as they relate to Monmouth Park, and controlling skyrocketing property taxes."

Johnson said the borough has some heavy issues to deal with.

"We will continue to lobby our state legislators to make sure the borough's voice is heard on the Fort Monmouth implementation authority," he said. "We are currently reaching out to Congressmen [Rush] Holt and [Frank] Pallone [Jr.] to solicit federal funds for the dredging of the polluted Branchport Creek."

Johnson served on council for the past two years and has worked for the New York Stock Exchange for the past 26 years. He is also chairman of the Planning & Development Committee, a member of the Oceanport Planning Board, vice chairman for finance and administration, and a member of the Health and Human ServicesCommittee.

Bertekap also said he is honored to be elected.

"Being elected feels like receiving a new job offer in which the residents of Oceanport are putting their trust in me to make the right decisions regarding the borough," he said in an email.

Bertekap said he believes he won election because of his community involvement.

"I showed that I care through my past volunteer work for the borough," he said.

He also cited his election and Johnson's reelection as validation for the council.

"People are pleased with the current local government," he said.

Bertekap is employed by Meridian Health and Raritan Bay Medical Center. He serves as president of the Oceanport Hook and Ladder Fire Company, sergeant of the First Aid Squad, a member of the Planning Board and a member of the Office of Emergency Management.

He also sits on the Emergency Services Advisory Committee for Fort Monmouth and served as fire chief in 2007.

Republicans are now in the majority on the council, which is made up of one Democrat and five Republicans. Mayor Michael Mahon is a Democrat, who is eligible to cast a vote only in order to break a deadlock..