By John Burton
SEA BRIGHT – John Lamia has been appointed a member of the borough council for the remainder of this year.
The three borough council members present during a council workshop meeting voted in favor of naming Lamia, a Republican, to fill the vacancy on the six-member council in wake of the July 3 resignation of long-serving member C. Read Murphy.
Lamia was the top vote-getter on the June 3 GOP primary ballot, thereby winning a place on the party line for the November general election for one of the two full three-year council terms.
Lamia, a political newcomer, garnered 66 votes. The two incumbent Republicans, James LoBiondo III and Murphy, found themselves locked in a tie for the second ballot slot.
While Lamia is assured a spot on the ballot, the second candidate will be selected by Monmouth County committee chairman Shaun Golden, who has until Sept. 11 to make his decision.
Running on the Democratic side in November will be one candidate, Cori Socher.
As required under state statute, the municipal Republican committee selected three candidates for the council’s consideration, listing Lamia, James Forsman and Leigh Maris.
The council is currently 5-1 Republican.
