Photo courtesy Ken Braswell / Shoregrafx, Highlands
HIGHLANDS – The Borough of Highlands turned the page on the old year and began a new chapter Jan. 1 with new leadership and personnel.
At the council’s reorganization meeting, a new mayor, council member, fire chief and police officers were sworn in to their new positions in a room packed with family, friends, loved ones and neighbors. The first to take the oath of office was Carolyn Broullon, the new mayor of Highlands.
“Everyone’s one vote made a very powerful message that resonated even outside of the state of New Jersey,” Broullon said that afternoon. “Every vote matters. Every vote counts.”
Broullon defeated incumbent mayor Rick O’Neil by one vote in the municipal nonpartisan election, 603 to 602. At the Jan. 1 meeting O’Neil was honored for his service as a councilman from 1996-1999 and 2010- 2012, and as mayor from 1999-2008 and most recently from 2017-2019.
“I came out here today to thank all the people who have supported me over the years,” including his family and the new mayor, said O’Neil. “It’s been a pleasure serving the people of this town. I learned patience along the way. It wasn’t always like that, I’ll say that,” he added. “I did the best I could do with what I had and I appreciate every one of you.”
Broullon agreed that although she and O’Neil have not always seen eye to eye, they both want to get things done for the town. “Both of us have said on many occasions that we pretty much ran on the same platform, we just have a different way of getting there. As long as we get there, that’s the most important thing – to serve the people of Highlands.”
First Lady of New Jersey Tammy Murphy, a resident of Middletown, stopped by the meeting and to show her support for Broullon and Highlands, and the Rev. Martin McGrail of New Life Christian Church gave a blessing that afternoon.
“Mayor Broullon’s victory was especially significant for a few reasons. First, it absolutely proves the importance of every single vote and reminds us that our individual voices can, and do, make a difference,” said Murphy. “At a time when we seem to constantly be surrounded by cynicism, that is a message of which we all need to be reminded.” She added that Broullon’s win represents “a bright future” of equality and inclusivity. “As the second female in Highlands history and the first openly gay mayor in Monmouth County, she represents New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard and that we all are proud of our diversity.” Additionally, new council member Cody Valkos was appointed to the dais that afternoon and Rosemary Ryan was named council president; Joseph Blewett Jr., Alex Braswell and Kevin
Connor were appointed as special law enforcement officers in the Highlands Police Department; and Brian Burton was appointed as fire chief, among other appointed professionals.
Broullon is a local Highlands merchant with a background in marketing and technology. She ended the meeting by wishing everyone a very safe and prosperous New Year. “If you supported me, if you didn’t support me, I’ll say it again: We’re all in this together. I want everyone to succeed because when that happens, we all win.”
This article originally appeared in the Jan. 9, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
