By DON STINE
Deal Borough Administrator James Rogers has retired from his position after serving the borough for 15 years.
“I felt it was time to reduce my activities,” said Rogers, who is 74. He was formerly a vice president of sales and marketing for a paint company.
“I always got a great deal of satisfaction out of my job as borough administrator and I did enjoy it,” he said.
Retired borough police chief Stephen Carasia has been appointed to the position.
Rogers said some of the major accomplishments under his tenure were renovating Borough Hall and building a new attached police station. He also oversaw the rebuilding of the Deal Casino and had to deal with a number of projects after destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
“There were also a variety of road and sewer projects but those are always ongoing,” he said.
Rogers said he believes Carasia is perfectly suited to follow in his footsteps.
“I think he is very well qualified for this position. He is a native son of Deal and led our police department successfully. He knows the town, knows its operations, and I think he will do a fine job,” he said.
Carasia, 46, was with the borough’s police department for 25 years and was chief for five years before retiring in August of last year. He officially became the new administrator at the Board of Commissioners Jan. 10 meeting.
“Actually, I have been working here for a month or two with Jim and his knowledge has been a great help. It is still comforting to know that he will still be around,” he said.
Carasia, who lives in Ocean Township, said he has completed the necessary state-required training programs to become the new administrator.
“My biggest challenge right now it just to get used to the job and learning the ropes,” he said.
As far as Rogers is concerned, he said that he and his wife, Martha, are going to look into some future travel plans.
“I hope to do a little more traveling the next few years,” he said.
