Point Boro GOP's Furmato to Run with Sabosik

Newcomer Joe Furmato Jr. will run on the Republican slate with incumbent Point Borough Councilman Bob Sabosik for two, three-year seats in the June primary.

Unless Republican opposition outside the official Republican organization surfaces, it appears the two will run uncontested in the June primary and then against the Democrats in the November general election. The primary is June 4 and polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The other incumbent up for reelection is Democrat Chris Goss who could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday. The Democrats have not yet announced their slate.

The “Republicans for Point Pleasant, Inc.” unanimously voted to endorse the two candidates "without a single defection" on March 16th and announced the choices on Tuesday night, according to a prepared statement from the local Republican organization.

"The 'Republicans for Point Pleasant' organization is responsible for determining which individuals will have the Republican Party’s endorsement in the June 4th primary election," says the statement.

"In order to receive the organization’s endorsement, candidates must first be nominated, as some already had been in previous meetings, and they must receive votes from more than 50 percent of the members in good standing present at the official endorsement meeting," the statement says.

"Current Council President Bob Sabosik, of Rue Mirador, as well as longtime resident and 'Republicans for Point Pleasant' member Joe Furmato, of Center Street, were both nominated at previous meetings of 'Republicans for Point Pleasant.'

“This is no ordinary time, no ordinary election,” said Club President Tom Szymanski, of Joseph Street. “Who we pick to lead our town in November will be making decisions that will be felt in this town for years to come. I’m proud to say we have a veteran Council President and well-respected leader in Bob Sabosik, and a longtime resident and community activist in Joe Furmato as our party’s nominees. Both of these gentlemen had their homes and families deeply affected by Sandy, and so they know what many homeowners are currently going through.”

Sabosik said, in the statement, “I would love to spend more time with my grandchildren and more time expanding my business, but being on council for the last two years has shown me we are going through what is likely the toughest time in the town’s history. We must fight the ill-advised, Draconian FEMA maps as they are currently written. They are backing our town’s homeowners into a corner.

“I welcome Joe Furmato as my running mate. He is a long standing resident, one who values the quality of life that Point Pleasant has to offer. Our children went to school with each other over 20 years ago, and I know he will bring enthusiasm, professionalism and honesty to this town as an elected official.

"Sandy did not destroy Point Pleasant, but the federal bureaucracy is trying to. These are tough times and Point Pleasant residents need tough people to fight for them.”

Joe Furmato, a newcomer to local politics, hopes to bring "a fresh voice to the Borough Council," the statement says.

Furmato, in the statement, says, “I would like to thank the Republicans of Point Pleasant for nominating and allowing me the opportunity to run alongside Bob Sabosik.

"My family and I have been summertime residents of Point Pleasant since 1960, and I have lived and raised my three children in Sunshine Harbor over the past twenty years. With the recent impact of Hurricane Sandy, I feel that a voice is required to speak up regarding the current FEMA maps, and the potential for increased taxation it brings to our town. I want to be your voice at the table to ensure the government hears all of us.”

Steve Blank of Frances Drive was named as the Campaign Treasurer for the second consecutive year.

Furmato's bio, released by the local Republican organization, states that he graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in Union in 1975. He worked as general service manager at the Jim Curley car dealership in Lakewood from 2010-January 2013 after working in the same position at Mall Chevrolet, Cherry Hil, from 2009 to 2010 and, before that, at Straub car dealership in Keyport from 1984 to 2010.

"Activities and Leadership" on the resume includes: member of the American Red Cross; trustee of the Brookdale Community College foundation; coached baseball and soccer for Point Pleasant Recreation; coached travel soccer for the 1986 Girls Rolling Thunder travel soccer team and volunteer at Saint Peter's Father Club.