By JOSEPH SAPIA
A recount in the Neptune City election shows Democrat challenger Michael Skudera winning a seat on the Borough Council.
Practically speaking, the only votes in question were those of Skudera and incumbent Republican Richard Pryor. The recount showed Skudera beat Pryor, 602 to 601, for a three-year, full term on Council.
Skudera, who sought elected office for the first time, said he was pleased and noted that the last few weeks were “pretty crazy.”
“I liked the experience; I learned a lot about the town and the residents,” he said. “Overall it was a good experience.”
Skudera, who is a supervisor in the emergency department at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said his first goal is to determine what he can do to help the borough’s grammar school.
“They need an elected official to knock on doors in Trenton to help get the school what it needs,” he said. “I know Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey (Democrats elected to the Assembly) will be a big help.”
Skudera said there is a serious funding issue at the borough’s only school. Although a referendum was approved for the school last year it only provided funds for one year.
“It is not a permanent fix,” Skudera said. “I don’t know what will happen if we don’t get the aid. The residents like the kindergarden through eighth grade school.”
Also winning a full three-year term on Council was Republican newcomer Andrew Wardell. Wardell, the leading vote-getter with 644 votes. Democrat challenger was the other loser with 591 votes.
Republican Mayor Robert Brown retained his seat for a full four-year term, beating Democrat Councilwoman Pamela Renee, 641 to 612. Former Councilwoman Barbara Shafer, a Republican, beat Democrat incumbent Linda Brady, 634 to 593, for a two-year unexpired term on Council.
Skudera’s 602 votes were a combination of 541 via voting machine, 57 mail-ins and 4 paper ballots at the polls. Pryor’s 601 votes were 566 via voting machine, 31 mail-ins and 4 paper ballots at the polls.