McMeekin announces candidacy; nine now running for three seats on Margate City Commission

By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
MARGATE – Ed McMeekin, local businessman and former Margate police officer, has made it official that he is in the running for one of the three seats on the City Commission.
McMeekin’s entrance to the race brings the number of residents vying for office to nine. The former police sergeant said he is not running on any slate or team.
“I am a dark horse and will just run my own campaign and prove to the people of Margate that I am qualified for the job,” said McMeekin, 62, a lifelong resident.
This is not his first time running for office; he has twice before sought a seat on the city’s governing body. In the last election he was defeated by less than 100 votes.
McMeekin called for a clean campaign, saying, “I pledge to run on the issues and the public record. No personal attacks will be made by me or by members of my campaign on the other candidates. Margate deserves better than that. I call on all the other candidates to join me in pledging to run a clean, issue-oriented campaign.”
The newest candidate on the trail in town, McMeekin said he wants to run a solution-based campaign to address the challenges that face Margate.
“I will work from my first day in office to cut taxes. I guarantee that I will submit my first-year budget to include a tax cut for our taxpayers, who have faced rising taxes in the past few years,” he said in announcing his campaign.
“The best way to cut taxes is to reduce runaway spending, which has characterized the current administration. I intend to make the smart choices on our budget that will result in savings to the taxpayer while delivering excellent service to our residents,” he said.
The next priority, according to McMeekin, is the schools.
“It is our responsibility to give all of our children the finest education possible. They are our trust and our future and they deserve the best. That being said, we have three different elementary schools buildings and a declining enrollment. I do not have all the answers but pledge to introduce my educational plan that will address all of our needs in my first year in office,” said McMeekin.
Married with three children and seven grandchildren, McMeekin graduated from Atlantic City High School and attended Atlantic Cape Community College and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He is a retired police sergeant with 26 years in the Margate Police Department and is the highest decorated officer in its history, according to the department.
McMeekin is a recipient of the Margate City Medal of Honor, the PBA Silver Star for valor, past president of the Margate/Longport PBA, a firearms instructor and local businessman for 20 years. He lists his civic activities as including Margate Little League and softball coach, committee to assist ARC for annual fundraising, Tighe School basketball program, Blessed Sacrament fundraiser, PBA blood drive committee, and member of AL KI Club.
A fundraiser sponsored by the Committee to elect McMeekin is being held on Thursday, March 15 at Stumpo’s Margate from 4 to 7 p.m. The donation is $20.
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