Toms River Council Primary Election 2021: Grace Piscopo

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With Primary Day for the 2021 general election coming up June 8, Patch is sharing profiles of the candidates for local office.

Grace Piscopo is one of two candidates seeking to be the Republican nominee for the four-year seat representing Ward 3 on the Toms River Township Council on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Patch asked each candidate the same questions. Here are Piscopo's answers.

Your name: Grace Piscopo

Age: 54

Town of residence: Toms River

Position sought: Toms River Township Council Ward 3

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Husband and three sons

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Virginia Tech

Occupation: Homemaker, volunteer in community. Previously worked as executive manager position and also assistant director of admissions.

Previous elective office, if any: None

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? N0

Why are you seeking office? I am concerned with the future of Toms River. The over-development is turning our shore town into a metropolitan area. In the 21 years living in Toms River, property taxes have almost doubled. The decisions of elected officials are making it unaffordable and affecting the quality of life.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? Mayor Hill’s recent reduction in the acreage requirement for houses of worship is a threat to the tax base, and it will increase traffic and on-street parking in residential neighborhoods. We will fight to stop any further reduction and serve as a bulwark against Mayor Hill’s agenda.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? My opponent, James Quinlisk was only sworn into his first term of office as fire commissioner in January and one of the first votes he took was to approve a budget that increased his commissioner's salary by 40 percent. Additionally, Quinlisk was arrested for a double assault on a woman and a handicapped man. That’s not the kind of person that should be representing Toms River.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. Mo Hill lied to the residents of Toms River when he sent out a letter saying he would, “fight to protect the 10-acre rule," but ultimately capitulated to special interests. We need elected officials that keep their promises.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office? My experience also includes turning failing and start-up offices into multimillion-dollar businesses. My knowledge of budgets and operations will be used to make intelligent decisions in the best interest of the residents of Toms River.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I have called Toms River home for the past 21 years with my family. My views are conservative but believe I can make good decisions for all the residents of Toms River.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com