Port Republic voters return Giberson, Rummler, Bugdon

Nov, 04-2009 5:33 pm

By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer

PORT REPUBLIC – Gary Giberson was more excited for others Wednesday morning than he was about his own re-election as mayor in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.

“I want to congratulate Don Purdy – he’s one of my favorite people,” said the Republican mayor, who will enter his 25th year in office. “Don’s a people person. He’s a carer and a giver. I wish him a great career.”

Purdy was the top vote-getter for council in neighboring Galloway Township, where Giberson also had kind words for a losing Democratic incumbent.

“I’d also like to congratulate Meg Worthington,” he said. “She and I both entered politics at the same time. She’s done a lot of good things for the people of Galloway Township.”

Worthington unofficially finished seventh out of eight candidates for four council seats.

“I’m very proud to run unopposed,” Giberson said. “People know me. They know I will stand up to injustice. I put people before politics always.”

The mayor said he’s proud of his Green Acres work and of being frugal.

“I don’t know of another community with a zero debt balance for both the municipality and the school,” he said. “I’m working with a great council. I appreciate all the extra work Doris Bugdon does for us.”

Craig Rummler ran unopposed for council in Ward 1. Bugdon was unopposed in Ward 2. Both are Republicans.

“Port is Port,” Rummler said Wednesday. “There are very few contested elections. I guess everybody’s happy with what we’re doing. It’s just a matter of continuing to do that.”

Giberson agreed.

“If the voters aren’t happy with you, you’d better change quickly and get in the right direction,” he said. “I never campaign negatively. One time I said of an opponent, ‘So-and-so would make a good mayor – but you’ve got me, and I’m a great mayor’.”

He praised the statewide Republican victories.

“The Atlantic County committee worked very hard to get the vote out,” Giberson said. “Chris Christie will be a wonderful governor. He said he’s going to start work tomorrow, so he’s starting today. The election backfired on Obama.”

Giberson received 374 votes for mayor. There was one write-in vote. Rummler received all 194 votes cast in Ward 1. Bugdon got 182 votes, with one write-in recorded in Ward 2.

To comment on this story email steve.prisament@catamaranmedia.com.