In what was a surprise to many, former council candidate Michael Warren filed for election before the 4 p.m. deadline yesterday vying against incumbent Mayor Carolyn Broullon for a full term as Mayor of the borough. Broullon had filed several weeks ago and established a webpage with the slogan, “We are all in this together” outlining her goals for her next term as well as the accomplishments the borough has already achieved during her tenure.
The Mayor also announced four meet and greet events beginning Oct. 12 with one at Chilangos Restaurant, an Oct. 16 session at Bahrs Restaurant, another later in October at Franny’s and a final one Election night at Andy’s Shore Bar from 8 to 9 p.m. the night of election.
A homeowner in the borough since 2002, Broullon is a graduate of New York’s City University where she majored in business with a concentration in marketing. She ran for her first election in 2015 when she won a three year term on council before winning her mayoral post in 2021 by three votes in a narrowly contested competition. Married to her spouse Donica, she owns Feed & Seed Pet Shop, a Bay Avenue business she opened in 2016.
With an impetus on keeping the public informed, Broullon issues a monthly report on events and activities in the borough during the month, as well as her oral report at the first meeting of every month on the previous month’s activities.
Broullon said she is running for a second mayoral term to continue and complete major initiatives which include completion of the $10.4 million borough hall, completing phases 1 and 2 of the Waterwitch Area Sanitary project, creating a raised boardwalk and increased parking on Marine Place, updating Huddy Park, validating borough owned properties and negotiating developer agreements among other projects including continuing the process to lower flood insurance costs. Her website found here cites all her ongoing initiatives as well as accomplishments during her term in office.
Warren, who did not respond as of yet to a request for information and biography, lived with his family in Sea Bright until Hurricane Sandy wiped out their home and they moved to the historic former hospital at 254 Navesink Avenue. They chose Highlands because of his wife’s love and memories of the borough when her family summered on Fifth Street annually during her youth and she felt part of the community.
A native of the Lake Ontario area of New York, Warren is a building contractor licensed in both New Jersey and New York with his firm, Great White North LLC, also licensed as a home improvement contractor.
Warren is a former Marine, and served on the Ramapo Central School district Board of Education during its construction of a multimillion-dollar construction project, citing the experience and education he gained in seeing that project progress. He said he stepped down from the board when the family moved from the district so his wife, an office professional, could be closer to her work.
The candidate has run several times before, twice in New York when he ran for both Mayor and Council, losing by close votes in each cases. He was unsuccessful when he ran for council three years ago on a team with former Mayor Rick O’Neill.
Warren said at that time he was seeking office to ensure a completely transparent municipal government and sharing information and decision making. He said at that time he believed a workable Draft Comprehensive Plan could be developed for both the present and the future of the borough by the governing body working together, listening to the public and coming to compromise on the best ideas.
While there has been little political discussions ongoing in the borough on which candidates would run in at attempt to unseat Broullon, Warren’s name was not mentioned as a potential candidate. Former Councilwoman Rosemary Ryan, now a member of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education, had been cited as a potential candidate, but did not file any application, living it a two person race for the three year term of the mayor. The borough is non-partisan and the Mayor has the right to vote on every issue rather than simply breaking a tie among the four members of council.
