The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
While every election is important, and every registered citizen should vote, this year’s election in Atlantic Highlands could well change the direction the borough is going.
Not immediately. But should all three Republicans win on Tuesday, that would mean the Mayor would continue to be a Republican and the Republicans would gain one more than the single seat they now hold on the six-member council come January 1.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
But if that happens, since it’s Councilman James Murphy who would be successful in his bid for the mayoral post, his seat on Council will be vacant as of reorganization day January 1. His three-year term on Council just began in 2022. So the Republicans would then nominate three names for the newly elected Council to vote on a replacement for him on Council until the next election a year away.
That would mean the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council for 2024 would be a Republican Mayor, three Republican Council members and three Democrat Council members. The Mayor only votes in tie matters.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
Such a makeup would undoubtedly change all the borough officials from attorneys for all the boards, including the governing body, as well as other professionals named for the coming year. Would the new mayor hold off the appointments until after a special meeting to name his council successor? Would the soon-to-be minority Democrats hold out for their own choices? It will make for interesting meetings.
If voters split their votes, and vote for some Republicans and some Democrats, the situation gets even more interesting.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
If Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner wins for Mayor, but the two Democrat council candidates, Jon Crowley and Alyson Forbes do not, that would create a three Democrat and three Republican council with a Democrat mayor. Murphy, even though he was on the ballot for mayor, still retains his council seat and would serve with the two successful Republicans for Council.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
It Coach Vinnie Whitehead and Ellen O’Dwyer win for Council and Murphy does not take the mayoral post, that gives the governing body three Democrats and three Republicans on Council, and a Democrat mayor, since Murphy would still be on Council. But he would then have two others of his party to support him after a year in which he has had little voice and no support.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
If Crowley and Forbes win but not Ms Hohenleitner, the council makeup would remain the same as it is now, five Democrats, one Republican. But that would mean Murphy would be mayor, and his Republican seat on Council he currently holds would be decided after reorganization by the Republicans to fill his unexpired term as Councilman.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
If Crowley and Hohenleitner lose, they would both be off the governing body since their terms expire this year without being re-elected.
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios
If one Democrat and one Republican win for council, that would give the Republicans one more seat than they have now, since once again, Murphy is still a sitting councilman.
Sounds confusing but every angle is possible. It makes it even more necessary than ever to go to that series of questions town-watcher Mark Fisher posed to each of the candidates. Look at their answers. Look at their priorities. Look at how each feels about something.
Then cast your vote intelligently as to who you think will be the best leadership to take the town towards completing the several major events still on the table, the future building of apartments in town, whether cannabis will get a foothold and the impact delays of decision making have had on the borough, taxes, and retaining a homey, small town community atmosphere.
Other Atlantic Highlands Stories HERE
