Biddle takes oath as L.B. councilwoman
Members of Latino community laud appointment
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

CHRISTINEVARNO Newly appointed Councilwoman Jackeline Biddle and son Nicolas.

Long Branch City Council chambers overflowed last week with supporters as the city's first Hispanic councilwoman was sworn in to office.

At a special meeting last Thursday, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 273, appointing attorney Jackeline Biddle to fill the council seat vacated by former Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano.

A 13-year councilman, Zambrano resigned July 20 after pleading guilty to extortion charges brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"This is a dream come true," said Raul Pacheco, a Garfield Avenue resident who also is president of the Spanish Fraternity of Monmouth County . "[The council] has built a bridge between the Hispanic community and the city government.

"We have a lot of work to do, but I am ready to rock and roll," he added.

Biddle, 40, who is in practice as J. Biddle Associates, Shrewsbury, and is a registered nurse, said at the meeting that she is proud to be the first Latino to sit on the City Council.

"I am passionate about Long Branch," she said. "I am committed to Long Branch. I want to educate myself on all the issues in the community."

One of those issues is the city's controversial master redevelopment plan, which calls for redeveloping six sectors along the Long Branch oceanfront and the Broadway corridor.

Members of the MTOTSA Alliance, who are currently fighting the city to save their homes from being taken through eminent domain, asked Biddle at the meeting to have an open mind.

"I would hope you would open yourself to the people of MTOTSA," Denise Hoagland said. "I give you an open invitation to my home, to educate you not only on the city's position, but also on the residents' position."

Lori Ann Vendetti another resident of the Marine Terrace, Ocean Terrace and Seaview Avenue neighborhood, added, "MTOTSA's homes are open to you. You can come and have coffee, dinner, whatever, and see what we are living through."

Biddle, a Chelsea Avenue resident, said she was happy to accept the invitation from the MTOTSA residents and said right now she is in the process of meeting with all city officials to learn more about issues in the community.

In a press conference held prior to the meeting, Biddle said she appreciates the development of Pier Village, but she added, "I am the only homeowner in my entire family. I understand the pride of being a homeowner."

Biddle, single mother of 22-year-old Nicolas, has lived in Long Branch for the past 12 years.

"I was lucky to have chosen Long Branch [to live]," Biddle said.

"This is a dynamic community, a diverse community."

She added that she is excited and proud to "serve the people of Long Branch to better the lives of all the [residents]."

Biddle joins council members Michael DeStefano, Anthony Giordano, David Brown and Mary Jane Celli on the nonpartisan council. DeStefano along with Schneider are serving their fifth terms in office while Giordano, Brown and Celli are serving their fourth terms.

Council President DeStefano said at the meeting that he is glad that Biddle stood up for the position.

"She is really someone that should have been serving the city long before this," he said.

Biddle, who is a registered Democrat, will fill the council term until the Nov. 7 election at which time she said she will seek re-election to continue serving Zambrano's term, which expires in 2010.

Born in Puerto Rico, Biddle said, "I can help be a face and be a voice for this diverse community. I do recognize that it is a milestone."

Martin Perez, of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, told council at the meeting, "You have made a great choice. She is lucky she was chosen and Long Branch is lucky."