In Oceanport, it's true that every vote counts
GOP council candidate loses by one vote, asks for recount
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

Joseph Irace

Oceanport Borough Council candidate Joseph Irace has called for a recount of the votes cast in the municipal election Nov. 7 after coming up shy by just a single vote.

Irace, a Republican, filed paperwork in state Superior Court Thursday, challenging the results of the Nov. 7 Borough Council race.

"I think we owe it to the people that voted for me," Irace said in an interview last week. "It's a way to just make sure we get the results correct.

"There are cases where numbers get transposed and we want to make sure," he said.

On Nov. 17, a Superior Court judge granted Irace's request and ordered a recount of the Borough Council race to take place on Nov. 28.

In the election, four candidates were vying for two open seats on council held by Democrats.

Democratic incumbent John "Ted" Ibex retained his seat and Republican candidate William Johnson won the other seat.

The results changed the makeup of the six-member council, which had been evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

John Ibex

The unofficial tally of results on election night showed Ibex received 1,195 votes with Irace behind by one vote, with 1,194 votes, and Johnson drawing 1,279.

The provisional ballots were counted Nov. 13, and both Ibex and Irace received three additional votes, bringing the count to 1,198 for Ibex and 1,197 for Irace.

"I was impressed with the results," Irace said. "I was running against an incumbent with 17 years' experience on the school board. We gave it a good show, a real good show.

"This is a testament to the campaign we ran," he said. "My running mate [Johnson] won, which will be great for the borough."

Irace added that this election process is a learning experience for every voter.

"Look," he said, "every vote does count."

After the provisional count, Johnson received 1,279 and Democratic council candidate Gary LaBruno received 1,172.

Ibex was appointed to council in December to fill the seat vacated by Lucille Chaump when she took office as mayor to succeed the late Mayor Maria Gatta.

On Nov. 7, Chaump was elected to continue serving Gatta's term, which expires in one year.

Democrat Chaump received 1,276 votes, with

challenger Councilwoman Ellynn Kahle (R) receiving 1,064 votes.

Chaump said that with the support of residents, she plans to carry out her goals to get the borough's Web site up and running as well as concentrate on environmental issues in town.

Most importantly, she said she will continue to keep Fort Monmouth highest on her list of priorities.

"I want to thank the voters for showing their confidence in me," Chaump said in an interview last week.

"I will continue to lead the borough as we move forward."

Although Chaump was returned to office and the borough will continue to have a Democratic mayor, the political makeup of the council has shifted.

Prior to the election, the six-member council was split evenly, with three members from each party.

With Johnson's victory, the balance has tipped to the Republicans and council will now consist of four Republicans and two Democrats.

Historically, Oceanport has been a predominately Republican town, according to Borough Clerk Kim Jungfer, who said that in the past 20 years the majority had shifted to Democrats.

Irace said the political majority is now back to the Republicans, even if the results stand in an unsuccessful challenge.

"This is a change," he said. "It is good to change. It is good to hear different ideas."