New Long Branch council takes office

New Long Branch council takes office
City clerk announces Sept. 1 retirement
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Long Branch City Council has four new faces on the dais.

The newly elected Long Branch City Council: Mary Jane Celli (l-r), Michael Sirianni, Kate Billings, John Pallone and Joy Bastelli, listen as incumbent Mayor Adam Schneider speaks at the July 1 reorganization meeting. City Clerk Irene Joline stands behind the dais. KENNY WALTER The newly elected Long Branch City Council: Mary Jane Celli (l-r), Michael Sirianni, Kate Billings, John Pallone and Joy Bastelli, listen as incumbent Mayor Adam Schneider speaks at the July 1 reorganization meeting. City Clerk Irene Joline stands behind the dais. KENNY WALTER The new council members, along with incumbent Councilwoman Mary Jane Celli and Mayor Adam Schneider, were sworn in to office at the reorganization meeting July 1.

Schneider, who is serving his sixth term, reflected on the past 20 years and his relationship with three former members of council: Michael DeStefano, Anthony Giordano and David Brown.

“I can’t believe 20 years have passed,” he said during his remarks. “Working with the three of you was as good an experience as I could ever have prayed for.

“We didn’t always agree but we never fought,” he added. “We had a common goal and we managed to make it work.”

Schneider put the three former councilmen, all of whom were in attendance, on notice that their presence would not end with retirement.

“It’s not over because they’re still here,” he said. “They’re not going anywhere as much as they may try — as much as they’re smiling at the thought that they don’t have to come out twice a month on Tuesdays.”

Schneider also thanked the city employees.

“Every day that goes by, I appreciate the help more and more and more,” he said. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe so much has changed.”

Schneider said he wouldn’t commit to joining his former running mates in retirement four years.

“It’s certainly hard to believe that I’ve been doing this, this long,” Schneider said. “It’s been a major part of my life.

“I still love this job. When people say it’s a thankless task, they don’t know how wrong they are. It’s far, far from that.

“I promise for the next four years I’m going to continue to love this job,” he added. “And by the way, if anybody wants to know, I’m not promising that I’m going to be done after four years because for as long as I live in this city, my commitment will never change.”

Schneider did say that he expects the next four years to be a challenge.

“The next couple of years are not going to be easy; we are getting mandates from Trenton,” he said. “The five people I’m serving with are committed to the same common goal.

“We work hard and we will work diligently to deliver the best possible city that we can.”

Schneider closed his remarks by reflecting back on his mayoral campaign.

“Election night meant more to me than you can imagine,” he said. “The last couple days of this election my nerves were scraped raw.”

Celli said that during the first of her five council terms, she ran against the mayor’s team.

“In 1994 I was elected with four fine gentlemen, but I was not part of their team,” she said. “Once we got together as a council, I became a member of their team and not once did I ever feel like I was left out.”

Celli joked about her role on the new council.

“Today is a wonderful day in Long Branch; we have all new council people except for the old lady,” she said. “Somebody has be there to help them and it is my honor to do that.”

Celli then presented her three former colleagues with plaques commemorating their service.

DeStefano gave the new council some advice while receiving his plaque.

“This job is either going to bring out the best in you or the worst in you,” he said. “You get to decide.”

Giordano reflected on his time on council and said for a short time during the meeting he considered coming back.

“These last 16 years have gone by in what seems like 10 minutes,” he said. “There is no higher honor than having the opportunity to serve.

“The speech from Adam and Mary Jane got me really fired up, and I almost went up there to have Irene swear me in, but there were no empty seats.”

Brown also reflected on his service on both the council and zoning board.

“These past 29 years have been to me and my family one of honor,” he said. “As the mayor said, we were a family and we could not have done it without those who have worked as employees of this city.”

Newly elected Councilman Michael Sirianni said he was picked for Schneider’s ticket without even knowing it.

“I was born and raised here and I bring a strong love for this city,” he said. “These past few months have been a roller coaster.

“I had a very nice talk with [Schneider] around November, December, not realizing I was being interviewed to run on his ticket,” he added. “I am honored that he selected me; it is going to be a very enjoyable four years.”

Sirianni said that his family is already expecting a lot from him.

“I received my first councilman phone call last night,” he said. “I was quite pleased it was my sister-in-law; she is already making me earn my keep.”

Councilwoman Kate Billings spoke next, joking that she is able to stay under the city’s five-minute limit on public comment at council meetings.

“I am a woman of few words and I can always say what I have to say in under five minutes,” she said. “I’ll have no problem with that.

“I look forward to working with the mayor, my fellow council members, the city employees and most importantly the residents.”

Celli isn’t the only experienced council member, with John Pallone returning to council after a 16-year hiatus.

“I was here 20 years ago to the day as well,” he said. “Mayor Schneider and I used to go jogging together, so I hope he’s still up for the challenge.”

Pallone also joked about what a close call the election was.

“I’m really honored to be back and I won by 11 votes, so I think I’m lucky to be back as well,” he said.

Councilwoman Joy Bastelli said a new chapter in Long Branch is beginning.

“Today we begin a new chapter in the progress, and it is my hope that a few of those pages will foster a climate of healing,” she said. “We all have the common goal, and that is to make Long Branch a better place.

“We are all on that same side; we must continue to envision where all the business districts are thriving and where schools and government work together,” she added. “The rest of the chapter will be to continue the hard work and the sacrifice.”

The reorganization meeting ended with a longtime member of the administrative team announcing her retirement.

“This has been a very emotional time for me,” City Clerk Irene Joline said, fighting back tears. “I want to thank the outgoing council for having the confidence and trust in me.

“This is my last swearing-in of mayor and council, as of Sept. 1,” she added.

“I look forward to working with the new council for the next 60 days.”

The first official meeting of the new council is scheduled for July 13.

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.





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