Justin Thomas, a member of the Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education, has joined Laura Hesse as candidates for the two council seats to be decided the November election in Atlantic Highlands.
Former police officer Thomas Stone had originally planned on campaigning with Hesse for the two council seats but has since stepped down because of other personal commitments and has endorsed as an outstanding candidate. Hesse successfully won the June primary to be on the ballot for council in the November election.
Neither of two Democrat council members, whose terms expire in January, chose to run for another term. Eileen Cusick and Vito Colosaurdo did not indicate reasons for not seeking another term on all Democrat board.
Additionally, Regina Hawley Keelan, who has been Democratic chair for the borough for many years, resigned the position last April and has not indicated her reasons for stepping down from what many assumed would continue to be an ongoing volunteer position.
The Hawley family has been, and with other family members, continues to be, hardworking, active volunteers for the borough for generations. The Monmouth County Democrat site still lists Hawley-Keelan as chairwoman and former Councilman Roy Dellosso as municipal vice-chair.
The election of the two Republican candidates would mean a bi partisan representation on the current all Democrat council with Democrat Mayor Lori Hohenleitner.
The two Republican candidates come into the November election with life time residencies in the borough and years of volunteer service in a variety of areas.
Thomas a lifelong resident of the borough other than the time he lived in New Brunswick attending Rutgers and one college semester he was studying abroad. A graduate of Henry Hudson Regional School in 2010, he earned his degree in sport management and a second degree in Portuguese from Rutgers University. In 2018, he also earned a master’s degree in labor and employment relations at Rutgers. He also completed a Lean Six Sigma certification from New York City College of Technology in 2020 a well as a mini MBA in digital Supply Chair Management in 2024.
Thomas also worked at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Yacht Harbor in customer service and security for two years while attending college.
Currently, Thomas is the Senior Services, Supply and Support Analyst/business relationship manager for Wakefern Food Corporation. As part of his position with Wakefern, he works in expanding its Tech and Wholesale Divisions by supporting the firm’s Banners, Supply Chain, Corporate Systems, and expansion of its wholesale business while at the same time continuing with some of its Supply Chain Strategic Initiatives.
Thomas was elected to his first time on the expanded Henry Hudson Board of Education and serves on the finance and facilities, personnel and regionalization committees.
Thomas said he desires to seek election to municipal government to “assist with ways to help generate revenue and drive down costs where applicable, especially if it meets the strategic direction in which our community wants to move.”
He believes in aligning with residents on strategic development through encouraging new businesses and homes which can bring in income for the town. He is concerned he said with the loss of land for new development, but adds “there’s always new and fresh ideas of what can be added.” Even there, however, he cautions such development must “ truly meet the identity of our town and what can be constructed in different zones,” designating that end as a key focus for himself.
Thomas believes there are many areas and policies he would like to understand in greater depth but believes there are many opportunities for “ innovative ideas for town events, collaboration with our businesses, Green Economy/Eco Friendly Initiatives, and more.”
The candidate recognizes that the only constant in life is change and believes the borough becomes more and more appealing to people from all over. That presents a challenge on its own, he said, since it also requires preserving some of the small-town characteristics and quintessential things that make Atlantic Highlands such a special place.
“ Being part of the strategic direction of the town is one of the most important things for me,” Thomas said. “Understanding what our residents and community want is critical. But there are usually alternative, efficient, and equitable ways to implement most things depending on the subject. “
He believes that with innovative ideas and opportunities increasing, “ I don’t think we as residents should lose sight of why people moved here in the first place.”
It’s for those reasons, said Justin Thomas that he is looking “ forward to meeting, connecting, and serving our community!”
Laura Hesse is also a lifetime resident of the borough from a family that has for generations been heavily involved. Her current business as a NJ Realtor and Property Manager in which she has worked for 37 years is located at the Hesse Building on First Avenue.
Currently, Hesse is a member of the volunteer fire department, as well as a member of the Rent Control Board. She also previously served as a planning board member and was also cheer-leading coach for both St. Agnes elementary school and Henry Hudson.
Ironically, Hesse ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for borough council 21 years ago, and lost. This is the only other time she has sought elective office.
One of the reasons Hesse is running now, she said, is because it is difficult for her “to see other lifelong residents be priced out of our town by high taxes and frivolous government spending. Our community and its residents need to be the priority, I think the current administration has forgotten that. “
Divorced, the mother of three grown children and seven grandchildren, Hesse attended St. Agnes School and is a third-generation parishioner at St. Agnes Church.
Her primary goals in seeking election as a Republican in this election are to cut
“ excessive spending, expensive signs, feasibility studies and attorneys fees for issues that after years still haven’t come to fruition. “Bringing diversity and a different point of view to the current council would be a strong means in accomplishing those goals, she said.
Hesse traces her roots with pride back to when her grandfather purchased the Stone Pier where she was born and where she has stayed and raised her family and where she hopes her children could also afford to raise their families here. Her family owns several businesses under Hesse companies and several years ago moved their Belford office to the First Avenue address…
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