Ocean Township voters elect unopposed slate Incumbents returned to office; newcomer wins voter approval BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent MARGO SIMPSON Newly elected Councilman William Garafalo, second from left, and returning council members Christopher Siciliano, Donna Schepiga, Mayor William Larkin, Deputy Mayor J. David Hires. OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Despite low voter turnout for the first unopposed municipal election for council in the history of the township, not much changed on May 8. All four incumbents seeking re-election were victorious at the polls in addition to first-time council candidate William J. Garofalo, who replaced Stuart A. Chavis on the ticket. Out of 17,919 registered voters in the township, only 394 votes were cast, according to Ocean Township Clerk Debbie Smith. According to Smith's records, Mayor William F. Larkin, who has served on the council for 16 years, received 351 votes, the highest amount among all the candidates. Incumbent Christopher Siciliano received 334 votes; newcomer Garofalo received 332 votes; Deputy Mayor J. David Hiers received 325 votes; and incumbent Donna Schepiga received 315 votes. Smith also indicated that there were many write-in candidates. "There were a total of 15 write-in candidates who received one to two votes each," she said. "Even though voter turnout was low, we received 90 percent of the vote," said Larkin, who praised the work of the council and mentioned the stability of the tax rate for the last 12 years as a key accomplishment. "The tax rate has been stable for 12 years, and there was only a nominal increase this year," he said. "We have new municipal facilities, a new library, more recreational programs and a more efficient human services department." Larkin stated that the acquisition of open space will be a priority for the council along with alleviating traffic and congestion in the township. "Traffic is a challenge that the council will have to address," he stated. Hiers, a five-year council member, expressed pride in running unopposed. "I think all of us are absolutely overwhelmed with running uncontested, and this shows that the township has had good representation," he said. Siciliano, a four-year council member, underscored his re-election by lauding the services in the township, particularly the recreation department. "I am always looking to expand the recreational programs, with an emphasis on our growing senior population. The township has over 1,000 new senior residents and will have more in the near future. We must keep adding programs for this vibrant and active segment of the population," he said. Siciliano also stated that running unopposed was "surreal considering the last election where a tremendous amount of hard work was necessary. I take this election as an indication that residents are satisfied with our leadership." Incumbent Schepiga, a four-year council member, expressed her disappointment with the low voter turnout. "I am happy that we won but would have liked more people to vote. In the past, turnout was higher when the slate was opposed," she said. Schepiga is a proponent of increasing the number of community-centered events in the township and would like to make plans for new events. "I would like to have a tree-lighting ceremony for Christmas and a Mayor's Ball in late summer," she said. Her biggest priority is the upcoming Memorial Day parade, which she has been involved with for many years. "The ending point of the parade has been changed this year to Firemen's Field in Oakhurst. This is a much better venue with more shade," Schepiga said. Garofalo is the newest member of the council. He previously served as president and vice president of the Ocean Township Board of Education and is currently the chief financial officer of Manchester Township. "As I have said before, I can't express my gratitude to Mayor Larkin and the rest of the council for supporting my candidacy. As a 24-year resident of the township, I am anxious to begin my term," he said. The town council will hold a reorganization meeting July 2. A mayor and deputy mayor will be chosen. All council members will be sworn in to office at a public ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at Joe Palaia Park, prior to the fireworks display.