Meet Margaret Montone, Democrat Seeking Re-Election To Aberdeen Town Council

ABERDEEN, NJ — Nov. 4 will be the election for a new Aberdeen mayor and two Council seats.

The Democratic slate is current Aberdeen Councilman Greg Cannon, running for mayor, and Councilwoman Margaret Montone and Pedro Mirabal for Council.

They are challenged by three Republicans: Mark Bishop for mayor, and Lauren Ramos and Michael LaCorte for town Council.

Patch asked all the candidates a set of questions, and all six got back to us. We will be publishing the candidate profiles in the order they were received.

Your name, age and office you are running for.

Margaret Montone – Aberdeen Council

What is your occupation?

Retired director, Child Assault Prevention of Monmouth County.

How long have you lived in Aberdeen and what part of town do you live in?

Lifetime resident – Woodfield.

Have you ever run for elected office before? Please list all races and their outcomes, and how long you held that office.

Elected to Aberdeen Township Council in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021. First took office on January 1, 2010; current term expires December 31, 2025.

What are your specific accomplishments and skills that make you a good town Council member?

As a Councilwoman, my top priority has always been providing residents with the high-quality services they deserve for their tax dollar, while at the same time, maintaining a stable tax rate to keep Aberdeen an affordable place to live. With respect to specific projects, I spearheaded the Freneau Woods Preservation Committee to prevent the construction of over 1,100 homes in Aberdeen’s most rural neighborhood and to preserve those 300 acres to form a county park. Serving on the Council’s Neighborhood Parks Committee, I have worked tirelessly for the last eight years to systematically renovate all seventeen Aberdeen parks. To date, I’m proud to say we’ve renovated 14 of Aberdeen’s 17 parks, and I’m running to finish the job.

Please give some examples of how you think the current Aberdeen Council has failed the public, or not represented them well.

As a Councilwoman, I have always cast my vote considering only the best interests of Aberdeen as a whole. Sometimes residents have been happy with my decisions. Sometimes they have not. Either way, I have always made the best decision to benefit the greatest number of residents in Aberdeen.

Additionally, during my service, the Aberdeen Council has issued a quarterly newsletter and a full public information office to ensure that Aberdeen residents know what their local government is doing, and providing residents with as many opportunities to provide feedback to the Township as possible. Residents and their best interests have always driven the Council’s actions during my time serving as a Councilwoman.

Why should voters vote for you instead of your Republican challengers?

My life in Aberdeen has been dedicated to public service. I didn’t start helping the community by running for Township Council. Raising my children in Aberdeen with my husband, Jack, I started decades ago as a parent-volunteer and, as with every volunteer, I slowly transformed into a community leader, a PTO president, a school board member, a planning board member, and many other volunteerism stops along the way that led me to ultimately run for office. My Republican opponents can claim no such growth or arc through Aberdeen civic groups — they simply filed petitions and say they can do better.

Residents should vote for me because I’ve shown I can actually make things better — and I’ve done it.

What's your favorite part about living in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is a unique and wonderful town with its easy access to New York City and the Jersey Shore.

It is the home of many beautiful parks, Samaha Farms, a natural beach and sea walk along the Raritan Bay which offers amazing views. The Township of Aberdeen offers many community events, recreation for residents of all ages and programs for our youth and senior community. Most important Aberdeen is the place where my husband and I grew up, raised our family it is our home and our community.

In-person early voting starts Oct. 25.