By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Former borough councilman Sal Galassetti was the big winner in Bradley Beach’s election Tuesday despite dropping out of the political scene for 10 years.
Galessetti was the top vote getter in the race for two Borough Council seats. He received 774 votes. Joining him on council will be newcomer Dr. Harold Cotler, who received 594 votes.
Incumbents Norman Goldfarb and George Bachar, who were appointed to the council in July, were defeated. Mayor Julie Schreck had endorsed both men on her personal Web blog.
Galassetti easily won his seat receiving 180 votes more than the next closest candidate. Incumbent Goldfarb and Bachar received 558 and 549 votes respectively. Benjamin Waters, a former councilman, garnered 467 votes.
The total number of residents going to the polls was 1819, which represents about 65 percent of the 2800 registered voters.
After learning he was so far ahead that the absentee ballots would not make a difference in the race, Galassetti said, “I’m ecstatic, I will do the best for the taxpayers, I plan to watch every penny.”
Addressing comments made during the campaign holding him partly responsible for the town’s $10 million debt, Galassetti said, “If they really want to look at the records, they will see there was $3.6 million in debt when I left. We consolidated and made it one bond.”
Butch Zacaro, Galassetti’s campaign manager, said he has known Galassetti for many years and supported him during his previous council term.
“We had him go door-to-door – we had flyers, signs, handouts,” he said.
Cotler said after the votes were tallied and it looked like he had won a council seat, “I feel good, I feel very hopeful.
Later he said, “I am hopefully optimistic, I think it’s a great town and I thank the people that supported me, I want to bring it back to some of its glory.”
Cotler also thanked his wife Beth and his son Brett, who acted as his campaign manager.
Galassetti said he believes he won by such a large margin because of his prior experience.
“I think people realized that I did have a lot of experience on council – I walked the streets and heard people. The overwhelming majority felt very safe with the literature I put out,” he said.
Galassetti also said he would like to see the current form of government, which is a strong mayor form, eventually be replaced with a strong council, weak mayor form.
“When you get into a position where you are head honcho, you have to still rely on your council – nobody’s God.”
Cotler and Galassetti said they received congratulatory calls from Schreck on Wednesday.
Schreck said she is looking forward to working with both men.
“They won fair and square and I’m looking forward to seeing what these two men can do,” she said.
Cotler believes he was elected because he spoke honestly to residents.
“I was honest, I told them who I am and what I am going to do,” he said.
Mary Ann Galassetti was at borough hall to congratulate her brother.
“He loves this town, he always wanted to do something positive,” she said.
The newly elected councilmen may be sworn in at any time.
Borough Clerk Mary Ann Solinski said it will be up to the new councilmen to decide to be sworn in privately, at a special meeting or at the next council meeting Nov. 25.
Galassetti said as soon as the election is certified by the county he wants to head up to borough hall to be sworn in by Solinski.
“No hoopla, I just want to get in, roll my sleeves up and get to work,” he said.
Email to joanne@thecoaster.net.
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