GOP-Dominated Council Remains in West Long Branch

The West Long Branch Council will have a new member next year, but will still be a dominant Republican group.

All six members of the West Long Branch Council, including newcomer Fred Migliaccio, who was elected on Tuesday night and received 1,032 votes. Councilman Christopher Neyhart was also and received 930 votes.

Councilman Neyhart said he is looking forward to serving another three years with fellow GOP councilmembers Barbara Ruane, John Aria, Steven Cioffi, Jose Villa and Migliaccio. Republican Councilman J. Thomas DeBruin, who was elected to the council in 2005, did not seek a third term on the dais.

"I'm happy about the victory and looking forward to doing my part with the council," Neyhart said. "I want to continue to keep  taxes down, not get rid of services and do more with less. We need to look into cost-saving measures we can work with in town."

Migliaccio could not be reached for comment.

Richard Brand ran a write-in campaign in an attempt to join the council, but was unsuccessful on Tuesday. Brand said he would consider running again next year "if the opportunity presents itself."

Brand said if he was elected he would change the way the council is looking into a .

"I believe i the consolidation theory, but I think they are going in the wrong direction," Brand said. "I think it will cost the residents of West Long Branch money."

The borough councils have only discussed the possibility of a merger during executive session and have not made any decisions at this point.