By Jacqueline Durett
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — Election Day this year brought the city a new councilman to South Amboy.
Brian McLaughlin, who received 81 percent of the vote, defeated Independent candidate Barbara Pasternack to secure the First Ward seat. The current First Ward councilman, Democrat Donald Applegate, did not seek reelection; the party’s choice, Francis “Butch” Mulvey, lost to McLaughlin in the primary.
Although McLaughlin ran as a Democrat, he had made it clear that he has views that differ from his new colleagues, all of whom are also Democrats.
“I am happy that the First Ward residents put their faith in me to represent the First Ward in the city of South Amboy,” he said. “With the citizens electing me as their councilman, it shows that the residents are tired of the same old politicians representing them.”
He said he hopes to work with the existing council on initiatives that have not yet been fully realized, as well as limit future residential redevelopment.
“I look forward to working with the rest of the City Council to get projects that have been talked about for years but have never come to fruition. Hopefully, we can agree on items that benefit the citizens of the City of South Amboy to stop the residential building in town and bring some type of industry to the city. Residential development does not lower taxes. It only burdens city services and the school system.”
McLaughlin also said he wants to see more city residents participate in government by attending both City Council and Board of Education meetings, and even seek elected office.
“Getting involved in the community and voicing their concerns is what will bring change. I also encourage the residents to run for office,” he said.
However, while Mayor Fred Henry said McLaughlin’s perspective may be an asset to the council, he will have to first learn the ropes about how city government works.
“He’s only one vote is what it comes down to.” “If he wants to get things done, he’s going to have to work with us.”
Henry also said he was not surprised that president-elect Donald Trump won South Amboy.
“Some people were just looking for change. [Democratic nominee Hillary] Clinton obviously wasn’t it,” he said.
However, in South Amboy, he said, some residents may have voted for Trump in memory of Hugh Riley Rone, a 19-year-old city resident who died in May in a motorcycle accident. Rone was a strong Trump supporter.