EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Two local mayors introduced themselves to a larger group of constituents as they make a bid for state assembly in New Jersey’s 2nd Legislative District.
Northfield Mayor Vince Mazzeo and Longport Mayor Nick Russo announced their candidacy for state assembly before a crowd of supporters including state Sen. Jim Whelan Monday, Feb. 11 at the former Pathmark grocery store on the Black Horse Pike.
Mazzeo, 49, has been a member of Northfield City Council since 2003 and has served as mayor since 2007. He did not have an opponent during his reelection bid in 2011, which he cited as a symbol of his bipartisanship.
“I think it shows I can work with both sides,” Mazzeo said.
Mazzeo is the part owner and manager of the family business B.F. Mazzeo Fruit and Produce in Northfield for the past 27 years. The 1982 Mainland Regional High School graduate went on to Rowan University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1986. Among his accomplishments at the local level, Mazzeo cited shared service agreements with neighboring Linwood in the areas of sewer authority, courts and chief of police as ways to save money and make up for declining state aid for his city.
“I’m a hard worker and I’m here to work for the middle class to make it a better place for everyone to live and you can count on me to do what’s best for Atlantic County,” Mazzeo said.
Both candidates said they would work hard to correct the advisory base flood elevation maps released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they said could devaluate the shore towns up and down the coast.
“This I think was an error that the governor made by accepting these maps before they were complete,” Russo said.
Russo, 63, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from John Caroll University in 1971, a master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University in 1979 and a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University in 1997. Russo had a career in law enforcement with the Atlantic City Police Department, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and with the Division of Criminal Justice in the state Attorney General’s Office. A volunteer firefighter in the borough which he has been mayor since 2008, Russo has associate’s degrees in law enforcement and fire control technology from Atlantic Cape Community College, where he taught criminal justice.
Russo said the site of their announcement, the mostly empty shopping center near the Shore Mall, was indicative of the business and economic climate in the county. He said as local officials they have the ears of their constituents.
“I think the advantage that Vince and I have by being mayors is that we are actually in the front line,” Russo said. “They come and tell Vince and I what’s working and what’s not working so I think we have a real advantage of knowing what our residents, what our people are thinking and that’s the perspective I bring to this.”
The two will seek the support of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee at its annual convention Saturday, March 23.
The 2nd legislative district includes Absecon, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Buena, Buena Vista, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Folsom, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport, Margate City, Mullica, Northfield, Pleasantville, Somers Point and Ventnor City.
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