By Allison Perrine
Atlantic Highlands – There are two seats opening up on the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council, and six candidates – Republicans James Murphy and Ellen O’Dwyer-Woods; Democrats Brian Dougherty and Lesley Angela D’Almeida; and Independents Morgan Spicer and Zachary Brown – will compete for those spots in this year’s general election.
The Two River Times reached out to each candidate to learn more about them and their goals. Here’s what they had to say, verbatim.
TRT: Tell us about your background and how long you’ve lived in town.
D’Almeida: I am a 49-year-old mother of two children. Born in Zimbabwe, I have been a US citizen since 2000. Currently I am a Senior Director at Stylus, a consumer trends intelligence agency. After many visits to Atlantic Highlands, my partner Lee and I made the decision to move to Monmouth County in 2017.
Brown: I am originally from New York. Born in Manhattan, raised in Westchester County, I attended Syracuse University, where I met my wife and running mate Morgan Spicer. After graduating, we moved to Manhattan, but with Morgan having grown up in Rumson, she wanted to be closer to her parents. While looking for places to live in New Jersey, I was working in New York and wanted an easy commute. We had some familiarity with the Seastreak ferry from our trips to visit Morgan’s family, and once we saw a house for sale in Atlantic Highlands, we knew we had found our home. We bought our house in 2017 and have loved every day since. From the natural beauty of the Bayshore trail, to the small town movie theater, there are so many great things about this small shore town, I hope to be here for the rest of my life.
Dougherty: My wife Erin and I have lived in Atlantic Highlands since 2012. We fell in love with Atlantic Highlands in 2008 when we were married at Navesink United Methodist Church and our wedding party stayed at the Blue Bay Inn on First Avenue. After our second child was born, we outgrew our 800 square foot condo in Hoboken and immediately looked to put down roots and raise our family here. We now have three children, ages 11, 9 and 5. All three attend Atlantic Highlands Elementary School.
I’m originally from Pottsville, PA. Mom was a Registered Nurse, Dad was a mechanic for Reading Anthracite. I attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance. Professionally, I have two careers. I work in Board Relations at The Rockefeller University in New York, and I sing professionally. My music website is http://www.bridoc.com, if anyone would like to learn about my performing career.
O’Dwyer-Woods: I’m a lifelong resident of Monmouth County, from a big family with an Asian immigrant mother who was an artist, and an Irish American father who was a contractor. I studied biology at Rider University, and following military service as a Captain in the U.S. Army, went back to school for an MBA from Seton Hall. I dedicated time and energy to my local community as a first responder, a founding board member for Friends of the Library, and a rehabilitator for retired racehorses. Professionally, I’m a market research and business analytics consultant for biopharma, bringing therapies to patients suffering from rare diseases.
I returned to the Bayshore area 5 years ago to a century home in historic Atlantic Highlands with my partner, Rich. I hit the ground running as I did in the military, dedicating my time and energy to the betterment of this wonderful community and its residents. Here I have become a local community leader working in municipal committees, volunteer groups, and the American Legion.
I have 3 grown children and grandchildren and are welcoming a second grandchild in one year next month. They give me great joy, and are the inspiration and motivation to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.
Murphy: I am a third-generation resident, that met my wife in Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. After getting married, we bought a house two blocks down the road from where I grew up (I like to tell people, “I got real far in life, two blocks.”). I am an HHRS alumni, class of 1997 and now find myself back at Hudson, albeit through my daughter who entered 7th grade this year. My wife and I are raising 3 amazing young children here and couldn’t feel more blessed.
I have served on the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education, coached many young children through various recreation sports programs and currently lead our community as Council President. I am a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, and volunteer as an usher and high school youth group leader for over 15 years at my local parish. My time on council has allowed me to serve as Police Commissioner, Chair of DPW, and member of the Office of Emergency Management. My most recent venture is joining the Atlantic Highlands First Aid squad, with hopes of inspiring others to volunteer their time and talents as well.
I have worked in the mortgage industry since late 2003 and have held titles as Senior Loan Officer, Branch Manager, and currently, Sales Manager with Advisors Mortgage Group. Along with the rewarding feeling of helping families buy their first home, one of the greatest parts of my job is the flexibility it offers me to never miss an event for my children, be around to support my wife, and to volunteer within my community.
Spicer: I grew up in Rumson and went to Deane-Porter, Forrestdale and RFH. I started working at the age of 14 at Video of The Ritz in Fair Haven, which is my family’s small business, now called Distinctive Toys. I volunteered at the Monmouth County SPCA, walking dogs, as soon as I was old enough to. I studied at Syracuse University and graduated in 2012. I started my own business right out of school and was fortunate enough to find my dream home in Atlantic Highlands in 2017. I am an illustrator, designer, activist and organizer. I’ve been living vegan since 2015 and have five rescue dogs, who are my everything.
TRT: What made you want to run for office?
D’Almeida: I am running for office because I feel the time is right for unique perspectives that reflect our growing and diverse community. I am passionate about our community, its people and future success.
Brown: Over the last few years it is impossible not to notice the increased levels of partisan divisiveness that has gripped our national politics. Over that same time, we have also noticed too much of that division gripping our small town. Our campaign slogan is Bring Back Balance for a reason. Partisanship and gridlock are bad in Washington, but in Atlantic Highlands they have no place. If we are fortunate enough to be elected to the council, the body will be made up of two Democrats, two Republicans and two Independents. That would mean that, in order to reach a majority, two of those three groups would have to work together. This would for all intents and purposes render the political partisan divisions a thing of the past, allowing the Borough Council to get back to doing the work of the people of Atlantic Highlands.
Dougherty: Erin and I chose this community in which to raise our three children. I’m running for a seat on Council because I love Atlantic Highlands and want the town in which they will grow up to achieve its true potential. Lately, our local political discourse has been deeply disappointing. I’ve watched the last two local campaigns mirror the divisive tone of our national politics, and the Mayor and Republican-led Council spend their time passing misleading and inaccurate resolutions on things like vote-by-mail instead of proactively working to solve our community’s problems. That’s a waste of everyone’s time and our resident’s money. There’s too much work to do.
O’Dwyer-Woods: I’ve experienced the evolution of our local small towns in Monmouth county over time, and have seen, particularly in the last 20 or so years, how Atlantic Highlands has maintained its small-town character. It has fondly been called “Mayberry” – a wonderful little town with neighbors as friends, volunteers wearing many hats, and home of a police force acting as partners in keeping our families safe. It is a big part of why families raise generation after generation here, and why new people are drawn to set roots here…and the very reason locals like me return to nest, start a family, or welcome grandchildren.
I want to be part of the leadership who can acknowledge our history, and respect that our residents want to preserve its small-town charm and sense of close-knit community, but also to help it adapt appropriately for the challenges ahead. I want to work with councilmembers and the community to collaborate in a non-partisan way, keeping the focus of our time, efforts, and resources locally on issues impacting Atlantic Highlands.
Murphy: I ran for reelection, because after only 3 years on council I feel my work is not done. I believe I still have much more to give to this community and would be honored for another opportunity.
Spicer: I’ve been volunteering for various political campaigns since 2015. I’ve put time, energy, and money into helping people get elected. I’ve been both disillusioned and heartened by the political process. I am running as an independent because I have a politically diverse family and I’ve seen the pain and division up close and personal. I believe I have a unique perspective and an ability to empathize with all people regardless of their party affiliation. I will be willing to work with anyone where our values align and will seek to find common ground. Everyday I would acknowledge my position as a service, not about myself, but about the community. I will always strive to put my ego aside and make sure I am representing the will of the Atlantic Highlands residents, and not special interests. I never saw myself seeking political office until after the 2020 election when I grew tired of putting my hopes and dreams onto others who continued to disappoint, fail, or deviate in their missions.
TRT: Why do you think you’re the best fit for a seat on the dais?
D’Almeida: I will bring a diverse outlook and work hard to find common ground and solutions. I look forward to bringing my perspective and life experiences to the table. My work in trend intelligence informs my solutions-oriented approach to navigate and capitalize on change to not only survive but thrive. I am committed to working hard to build a community that’s prepared for the future’s opportunities and challenges.
Brown: I am the best fit for a seat on the dais because I am Independent, and have a lifelong track record of community service. As an Independent, I am not beholden to the agenda of any political party. I am only beholden to the voters and residents of Atlantic Highlands. When faced with a difficult decision, the only thing I will have to consider is how the outcome will affect the people of our town. I will not have to worry about how my decision will “look” to members of a party in some faraway place. Add to that, I have been involved in community service my entire life. Growing up I spent weekends volunteering with a local nature center. As I got older, I joined the Boy Scouts, and earned my Eagle Scout by organizing and completing a 200 hour historic cemetery cleanup community service project in my home town. Since moving to Atlantic Highlands, I have joined the Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad, and I am currently an active riding member, and the Squad Engineer. I see a problem facing our town, and I am raising my hand to volunteer to be the change I would like to see.
Dougherty: In both my careers at Rockefeller University and as a musician performing with the top orchestral and choral ensembles in the world, I’ve worked directly with leaders in both science and music for decades. I’ve learned the value of collaboration. We are stronger and more effective when we work together to solve challenges for the common good.
I’m an effective communicator and an even better listener. I prepare, I put in the work, and follow through in everything I do. I keep my word. I will bring that same work ethic and professionalism to my position on Borough Council, representing all citizens of Atlantic Highlands regardless of their political party.
O’Dwyer-Woods: I bring a lot to the table. I have a strong resume, with an MBA and Bachelors degree in Biology, and decades of experience in business and healthcare. As a consultant in market research and business analytics, I blend input from the community with the science and data needed to fully understand the implications of an issue, and am creative in proposing solutions to meet the best interests of Atlantic Highlands.
Across municipal teams in Atlantic Highlands, I am currently serving as Captain of the Sustainable Green Team, a regular member of the Environmental Commission, a Shade Tree Commissioner, Fire Department Auxiliary, and Beautification/Public Relations Committee. I am deeply involved and dedicated to leading teams to make things happen and to get things done.
I have been building cross-functional collaboration between these municipal committees, in particular, to support green initiatives that will protect, enhance, and preserve the natural resources in what is the most unique ecosystem on the East Coast, Atlantic Highlands.
The job of an Atlantic Highlands Councilmember involves serious commitment over and above 2 council meetings per month. A good idea does not a councilmember make. The councilmember needs to be present, interactive, and flexible. My style of working with other councilmembers in facing issues regarding Atlantic Highlands will be collaborative, inclusive, and hands-on. Solutions will be based on fairness and facts, will be financially feasible, and supported by borough residents.I have strong experience, demonstrated commitment, and leadership skills to take good ideas to fruition. I feel I am one of the best qualified candidates to lead the borough on its journey to be rich in tradition, yet adapted for its future.
Murphy: I believe I am one of the best fits for my seat on the dais because of my experience, understanding of borough procedures, and a strong desire to lead with a focus on putting residents first. The passion I have for this borough and the community within is undeniable. My roots run deep here, and I believe those “roots” are what keep me grounded in the sense of understanding how to maintain and improve a great thing without completely changing it.
Spicer: I believe I am the best fit because at a time of such division and negativity, I know I can bring a sense of empathy, creativity, and solidarity. I am significantly younger than the average elected official, and yet seasoned by having my own small business that is partnered with countless non-profits and by having donated thousands of dollars in royalties to causes ranging from animal and environmental conservation, animal and wildlife rescue, and literacy programs for children. As my own boss, I’ve been able to balance my work, my life, activism, and a lifetime of volunteerism. I’ve illustrated over 40 books, and I believe I could use my creative prowess to empower residents to be more involved in our community, and to find ways to create a greater sense of pride for our incredible home. I would love for Atlantic Highlands to embrace its roots of housing many talented artists throughout its history, by ensuring mural projects can be accomplished. I would love for the children of this community to be empowered to participate and share their art for all residents to enjoy. As large developments threaten the status quo and make lifetime residents feel out of place, I believe art, music and creativity could help bridge the gap and make sure progress is progress by never leaving anyone behind.
TRT: If elected, what’s one of your top priorities to address?
D’Almeida: There is an urgent need to address and prepare for the climate crisis. I intend to work with neighboring Bayshore communities and organizations to work on climate resiliency, seeking grant monies from state and federal sources to pay for what needs to be done. I will also focus on comprehensive road and infrastructure initiatives throughout Atlantic Highlands. I am particularly interested in innovative and sustainable solutions that integrate technology that allows us to become more responsive to residents’ real-time needs and adding environmentally friendly public spaces that promote well-being and interaction i.e.: wi-fi charging tables (tables let people charge their devices in streets and parks) and smart trash (solar-powered cans that have sensors that alert when they need cleaning), responsive streets (street surfaces that sense people’s whereabouts to ensure their safety).
Brown: If elected, my first priority would be to bring back virtual meeting attendance for members of the public, and not just for the council meetings. It is absolutely vital that members of our community be able to participate in the business of the borough, and having the ability to do that remotely is an accessibility issue, and as the last 2 years have taught us, a public health necessity.
The Mayor and Council, after initially voting (along party lines) to not allow zoom meetings, have indicated recently that they intend to bring back virtual participation, but it has been months, and there has been no progress. Other entities like the Planning Board and others have no intention of publicly broadcasting, or allowing virtual participation. The council should be leading the way, and encouraging in the strongest way possible, other entities in town to follow suit.
In addition, our First Aid is in desperate need of help. Residents know that our squad has faced difficulties with response times, and I have a number of initiatives and ideas that can help save this absolutely vital town resource. Those are just a couple of things that I think need to be accomplished in the coming years. We also need to address the St. Agnes property, decide what to do about legal cannabis, and make a decision regarding school regionalization.
These are all critical issues that will determine the fate of Atlantic Highlands for years to come. Do the people of Atlantic Highlands want another partisan politician making the decisions that will please their donors? Or do they want an independent, service minded, self funded representative who will look out for the people of our town?
Dougherty: My fantastic running mate Lesley D’Almeida and I are focused on moving Atlantic Highlands forward. One of our first priorities is determining if the Assessment Demonstration Program, the controversial program that calls for annual property tax assessments that is unique to Monmouth County, is right for our community and its residents. We’re also hyper-focused on making sure our town, as a waterfront community, is doing all it can to prepare for the worst effects of climate change. Climate change is not an abstract issue that may be coming years or decades from now. It’s here. We have to be ready. And we’re committed to working in concert with our three elected boards of education on the issue of school regionalization. We must make absolutely sure that whatever comprehensive regionalization proposal we agree to makes sense for both our children and our taxpayers.
O’Dwyer-Woods: All 6 candidates provided detailed responses to a survey of key issues facing Atlantic Highlands which included: Property Taxes, Environment and Climate Change, Cannabis Businesses, Emergency Management, School Regionalization, Open Space, Municipal Harbor, and Mother Teresa School Acquisition. In it, we provided details on our approach to the various issues the borough is facing. Some of our approaches are similar, some are not. I can speak for my own answers being thoughtful, sometimes creative, and based on facts and my own experiences. The summary PowerPoint presentation provides an informative apples to apples comparison of all 6 candidates answers and can be requested from any of the candidates by email. Mine is AHstrong11@gmail.com.
The above issues are most important to me, and there’s no reason they cannot be addressed simultaneously. They are all a priority. In addition to these, I feel it is critical to support police and first responders in keeping our people, property, and pets safe. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on council, those on the municipal committees, and the volunteer organizations together to build a more cohesive, self-sustaining community…”Mayberry 2.0.”
I would like my legacy as a councilperson to be that I used hands on leadership and a positive approach, backed with science and facts to motivate our community to step up and work together in achieving what is right for Atlantic Highlands. That we all recognized we are but temporary stewards of our unique surroundings and charming town, and that we rallied to nurture it to be the best place to live, raise our children, and to retire in. That we made it more beautiful, environmentally adapted for the future, and economically vibrant, and that what we set in place will continue to keep it great for future generations.
Murphy: If reelected, my first priority would be to review where we left off this year and re-evaluate what the current priorities are at that time. There is a lot coming down the pike, and all have big implications for Atlantic Highlands as well as each resident. From potential land and possible community center acquisitions, school merger talks, to further development just to name a few. My goal would be to ensure the priorities are at the top of the list, those pertaining to any health and safety concerns, budget and tax impacts, and/or infrastructure issues. After that, I look forward to working with the rest of council, our Mayor and new Borough Administrator in accomplishing the remaining tasks and obligations.
Spicer: Atlantic Highlands, first. I would like for our community to be more self-sufficient. In an ideal world, we would have a large community garden and municipal composting program so we can end our food waste. I would like for Atlantic Highlands to divest from fossil fuels and move towards renewables like many other New Jersey towns have, utilizing the Faulkner Act. I would ask the Council to support a Medicare For All Resolution, as the pandemic has proven we are not truly free if we do not have healthcare as a human right, like every single other major country on this planet does. I would fight to preserve our natural spaces. I would fight to prevent over-development. I would fight to prevent large corporations from coming in and taking business away from our small family businesses and destroying our small town charm. I would like to see our community find solidarity with other Bayshore towns to better protect ourselves against power outages. Finally, I would like to do all that I can to involve and empower residents to be involved in the political process, to encourage even more pride in our community, and find more ways to honor our vibrant history.
This article originally appeared in the Oct. 21-27, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
