Eight Running In Berkeley Township Council Race

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ- All four incumbent Republican Township council members are being challenged by four Democrats in the race for the ward seats in the general election on Tuesday.

The candidates for the Ward 1 seat, which includes Bayville, Pelican Island and the South Seaside Park section of the township are Republican James J. Byrnes, 219 Dogwood Drive and Democrat Lynn Hansen 45 Bayview Avenue.

James J. Byrnes is a Vietnam War veteran who served as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. He received a purple heart and a bronze star. He was first appointed to the Township Council in 2012, after Councilwoman Karen Davis retired. He won the unexpired term that year and won a full term in 2013.

Byrnes is a former two-term member and former president of the Berkeley Township Board of Education. He also served as chairman of the Berkeley Township Planning Board and as a member of the Berkeley Township Board of Adjustment.

Byrnes currently serves on the Ocean County Construction Board of Appeals and the Ocean County Board of Social Services. He's a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 9503, St. Barnabas Knights of Columbus 8603, former Vice President for the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 2018, and a volunteer for Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity.

Ward 2 -

Angelo Guadagno was elected in 2013, after Councilman Kevin Askew chose not to seek re-election. Guadagno previously served on the township Recreation Advisory Council and the Open Space Acquisition and Advisory Committee. Guadagno is a teacher in the Berkeley Township school district. coached in Berkeley Boys and Girls Basketball, Berkeley Little League and Girls Softball, and is an educator in the Berkeley Township School System. Councilman Guadagno is Chairman of the Townships’ Parks and Recreation Committee.

Ward 3

Judith Noonan was first elected to the Township Council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013. She served as council president in 2015 and is the longest serving member on the council. Noonan is also president of the Holiday City - Silver Ridge Park Coalition and is a commissioner on the Berkeley Township Housing Authority. She is a former president of the Silver Ridge Park East Homeowners Association and volunteers as a member of the Berkeley TownshipCommunity Emergency Response Team and the Ocean County Board of Health Medical Reserve Corps.

Ward 4

Sophia Gingrich was elected in to her first term in 2013. She is the current Township Council president. She is a former member of the Berkeley Township Board of Education. Board Vice President in 2013 prior to Gingrich also volunteers, directs and organized the monthly food truck visit by the Food Bank of Monmouth\Ocean Counties in Holiday City.

Democratic challengers

Ward 1

Lynn Hansen, 45 Bayview Avenue, Bayville.

Ward 2

Maria Morales, 24 Pelican Drive, Bayville

Ward 3

Gary Clifton, 18 Bugle Court, Toms River

Ward 4

Donna Walesiewicz - 5 Lagos Court

Control of the Township Committee is currently in GOP hands at 7-0.

Photo: Patch file photo