Toms River Council Primary Election 2021: John Loiacono

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.

John Loiacono 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 Loiacono's answers.

Your name: John Loiacono

Age: 87

Town of residence: Toms River

Position sought: Toms River Township Ward 4 Council representative

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife, two children, four grandchildren

Education: Some College/Licenses/Certifications

Occupation: Retired

Previous elective office, if any: None

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? My daughter is an Ocean County Tax Board Commissioner.

Why are you seeking office? To we serve our community.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? Residents in Ward 4 do not want more apartments in Downtown Toms River. Mayor Hill's plan to give township property to a developer to build 500 and 1000 apartments downtown will be devastating for property taxes, traffic and our schools. PILOT programs increase the burden on schools, and only provide revenue to the municipality.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? My opponent David Ciccozzi has been on the Planning Board for over a decade and is the current Board President. Ciccozzi has approved over 3,000 units of housing and two of the largest affordable housing plans in the state. The most recent was 1,285 units. He has failed us on the Planning Board and he will fail us on council.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. I have lived in Toms River for over 50 years, and I have never seen such poor leadership. Mayor Hill is driving Toms River off a cliff and I want to help fight to preserve our town for our children and grandchildren before it's too late.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office? I am a Korean War veteran with a myriad of life experience. I have successfully run businesses and have been elected and appointed to various positions on committees, boards and foundations for more than 50 years, where I have effectively collaborated with others to get things done. I have won numerous awards and accolades over the years for my community service and dedication to a number of nonprofit foundations and organizations.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I love my family and I love my town and I will do whatever I can to protect them.

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