BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer
RED BANK – Grace Cangemi, who failed in a bid for Borough Council by only 25 votes in the November election, is being looked on as the likely successor to Republican Councilwoman Kaye Ernst, who has resigned.
After serving for one year and three weeks, Ernst tendered her resignation at Monday’s council meeting.
The Republicans now have 30 days from the date the resignation becomes effective to nominate candidates to replace Ernst. The GOP must submit three names to the council, which will choose the new council member.
Cangemi, who was at Monday’s council meeting, ran for council in 2006 and lost the race by a small margin to Democratic candidate Councilman Michael DuPont.
Both Curley and Ernst said they will push for Cangemi to take the seat that Ernst will leave open.
Ernst said her resignation will be effective as of the close of business at the Feb. 12 council meeting.
Ernst made the announcement by reading a prepared statement, citing several reasons for her departure.
“I naively believed that we would simply put everything aside and do the job we were elected to do,” said Ernst, one of two Republicans on the Democrat-controlled council. “Unfortunately, I have been excluded, left out and lied to, making accomplishing much of anything impossible. While work is rarely pleasant, it should not be unpleasant, or at least not to the degree that it has been for me.
“Having said that,” she continued, “and unless I am being once again hopelessly naive, I feel that there has already been a major change for the better. The days of bullying and screaming are over. I feel an era of higher standards has begun. I credit our new mayor for this, and I offer my gratitude and full support.”
Recently elected Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Menna thanked Ernst for her kind words, although Ernst said that her reasons for leaving were not just due to the hard time she feels she has had as a councilwoman.
“Over the past two years,” she said, “I have suffered some serious personal setbacks. Life here in Red Bank has become increasingly difficult for me. Not only personally, but financially. For example, my taxes, both local and state, have increased at a greater percentage than my income. Ergo, I’m working harder for less.”
Ernst announced that not only will she be stepping down from the council, but she will be leaving New Jersey in favor of a two-family home she recently purchased to share with her parents in Lord’s Valley, Pa., in the Pocono Mountains.
She said taxes there will be one-quarter of what she spends on property taxes in Red Bank. When asked what she is planning to do for a living, she replied, “Whatever I want. The last time I was there, I was offered three different jobs. I don’t have to work to pay my bills anymore, but I can do what I want to do.”
Ernst said that her parents have had a summer home in Lord’s Valley for the past 25 years, and that she has spent a lot of time there.
“Red Bank has many things that no other town in the world has,” Ernst said, “and I will miss it. But Red Bank’s greatest asset is the people of Red Bank, and I will miss each and every one of them. I thank you for your support. It has been an honor and a privilege.”
After she spoke, Ernst received a round of applause from both the audience and many of the council members. Menna stood and walked over to her and offered his support in her decision.
“For the first time in 18 years,” said Menna, “I am speechless. I am genuinely shocked and surprised.”
Menna expressed his appreciation for Ernst’s sacrifice in serving on council, stating that everyone who has served in such a capacity suffers some degree of personal sacrifice.
“On all our behalf,” he said, “I am here to express our deepest appreciation. I know your heart has always been in the right place. No matter where your future paths take you, know that you always have people here and you will always be welcomed back with open arms.”
Fellow Republican Councilman John P. Curley also had some words of farewell for Ernst, whom he campaigned with in the 2005 council elections.
“Kaye has been a wonderful colleague,” he said. “She is intelligent and articulate. She has worked exceptionally hard to make Red Bank a better place to live. She is going to be missed greatly.”
Curley also said that he admired Ernst’s tenacity, as she ran for council two times before her successful campaign in 2005.