WEST WILDWOOD — Dr. Herbert C. Frederick, Gerard McNamara and Scott William Golden were elected to the city’s three vacant commission seats on May 20.

Frederick, 57, is a lifelong resident of the borough and after spending over 30 years working with the Wildwood Board of Education, recently retired as the principal of Glenwood Avenue Elementary School. He was mayor of West Wildwood from 1980 to1984 and a commissioner here from 2002 to 2004. Between those terms, he served as freeholder from 1985 to 1991.

Frederick said that he wanted to bring his experience to the borough, but wanted “all of the residents to be a part of what we’re doing.”

He said he saw that in the previous administration, “money is being spent irresponsibly and our seniors are hurting. They are being faced with the choice of paying prescriptions or paying taxes.”

Frederick said he wanted to make West Wildwood affordable again.

McNamara, 66, said he had been visiting the Wildwoods “all his life” and he and his wife Betty made the decision to move to the borough “full time” five years ago.

He is a former Commissioner on the Delaware River Port authority and current Democratic committeeman. McNamara, an Army veteran, is also a retired union steward and printer.

He told the Herald that as a retired person on a fixed income, he was sensitive to the taxes he felt were getting “out of hand.”
Golden, 36, was a life-long summer resident of the borough and decided to make it his full-time home 17 years ago. Golden also established his own business, Golden Builders, in West Wildwood.

“I feel I can bring a honest and reliable approach to our town,” Golden said. “It would be an honor to represent both year-round and part-time residents with their best interest.”

The results of the election split up the campaign team consisting of Frederick, McNamara and Dennis Hocker, as well as the team of Joseph Hickey, Cornelius J. Maxwell and Golden.

Mayor Chris Fox and Commissioner Rita Maroldo did not run for reelection.

After the Mother’s Day storm and subsequent flooding, the municipal election for borough commissioners was canceled May 13 and the date moved to May 20. Despite the change in date, the weather still didn’t cooperate and residents of the tiny community trekked to borough hall to cast their vote as more rain fell.

However, a large voter turnout was anticipated and two voting machines were used at the polls.

According to the Cape May County Clerk’s Office, the unofficial results are as follows: Herbert C. Frederick, 176; Gerard P. McNamara, 156; Scott Golden, 151; Dennis G. Hocker, 145; Cornelius J. Maxwell, 144; Joseph L. Hickey, 139 and Robert Kilgore, 112. A total of 1,023 votes were cast.

Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com