Lacey - See

Continued From Page 1 both the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and the state, and changes in our own ordinances shows a need to update our master plan.” Related to this was a concern regarding traffi c congestion within Lacey and methods to address this issue. “Both Route 9 and Lacey Road are not owned by the township. Any property owners along those roads cannot be denied access to them. We have contacted the state multiple times in order to address multiple issues along Route 9 to no avail. The county has made a number of improvements to roads in Lacey including the Railroad Avenue light and the Adams Street light in addition to installing multiple pedestrian walks. A new light will be installed at the Lake Barnegat Drive and Haines Street intersection sometime over the next year. I would encourage residents to use alternate routes when possible and vary their work schedule, if able,” Kennis said. The candidate added, “I had a great time growing up in Lacey and still enjoy it. The town has changed a lot since I’ve been here but it still has a small town, family-oriented spirit that still persists and I will do my best to maintain it.”

Independent candidate Regina Discenza isn’t a new face at Committee meetings. She often brings up questions and concerns at those sessions during the public comment period and has lived in Lacey Township for nearly 24 years. Discenza is running for a committee seat after “I saw an article that said the incumbents were running unopposed. I do not believe any slate anywhere should run unopposed in a Democratic society - people need choices.” She feels the township’s most pressing issue is overdevelopment and the safe decommissioning of the power plant. As to what experience she would bring to the table she said, “I have building experience, a degree in Criminal Justice and I have travelled to 45 states so I have seen many other communities and how they function.” Regarding her thoughts on the township’s master plan she said, “it needs some revisions by like-minded people- not bobble heads that say yes to everything. This is usually done every 10 years or so and its 10 years are up.” Discenza added, “revisions to the Master Plan should improve our quality of life, not take away from it like the multifamily housing is doing - meet the legal COAH State requirements for aff ordable housing and be done with it.” Concerning traffi c congestion in Lacey “I have been attempting to address traffi c issues in this town for over 20 years. One of the cries of the powers that be is that Route 9 is a state highway - so scream louder in Trenton - which I am not afraid to do,” Discenza said. Discenza has served two terms on the Lacey Township Board of Education (2015-2017) and (2019-2021) and attended school board association meetings outside the Township of Lacey during both terms to attain New Jersey School Board Association Boards Member Academy complete certifi cation. She was the Lacey Delegate to the Ocean County School Boards Association and the New Jersey School Board Association State Delegate or Alternate for Lacey Township School District for several years as well. Discenza has also been attending recent meetings of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. “My campaign is not accepting any contributions whatsoever thus the slogan, ‘No Strings Attached.’ I am using my own funds 100%,” Discenza said.

Republican PeggySue Juliano was appointed to the Committee earlier this year. She is fi lling the vacancy of her late husband Nicholas Juliano who was serving as mayor this year before he died of cancer. She’s lived in Lacey for 31 years and was a summer visitor to the community in the 1970s. She is employed by the Lacey Township School District. “I have been there for 12 years and before that I owned and operated our Auto Parts Store with my husband for 30 years.” She added that she is running for a full term on the Township committee to “fi nish some of the work that Nick started but now I realize it is my job to keep this town with my fellow committee members moving forward. Our job is to secure this town for the next generation.” Juliano said she was brought up in a political family “so the decision to run is to let people know I am here for them. Growth has to happen in this town, I know we all would like to go back to an easier time but that’s not really possible. “The Master Plan is a priority but it will not be done in one session. I know traffi c is a problem but like everyone else, I learn when to be out on the road, and also, we all need to stop rushing around,” she added. The candidate said she has “a few concerns most importantly our Police Department needs our undivided support and attention. Second, we are a very extremely lucky town to have so many volunteers and respect to them is very much on my mind.” Juliano has another concern. “If we ever had to pay a Fire Department, we would be in a serious need of raising our taxes.”

Fellow GOP incumbent Peter Curatolo has lived in Lacey Township for 22 years and is the Coordinator of Community Health Services at the Ocean County Health Department. “I’m an advocate for the people. I know how to navigate bureaucracies to get the best possible outcome for our residents and I have done this successfully for nine years on Committee and 25 years in government.,” the candidate said. Regarding his thoughts on the township’s most pressing issue he answered, “Safety! Support the police. The law is the

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