HOWELL — A resident who said earlier this year that she was planning to mount an independent bid for mayor has filed a nominating petition to seek the four-year term.
Patience Nolan, who has lived in Howell for 13 years, will be on the ballot on Nov. 8. Nolan will square off against Democrat Dr. Theresa Berger and Republican Daniel J. Cardellichio, both of whom are making their first bid for mayor.
John McCabe was nominated in the June primary to be the Democrats’ candidate for mayor, but he withdrew from the race, according to the Monmouth County clerk of elections. McCabe will be replaced on the ballot by Berger.
Howell’s current mayor, Bill Gotto, is not seeking re-election.
Nolan does not have a running mate who is seeking one available four-year term on the Township Council. There will be a race for the council seat between Democrat Joseph Montella and Republican Evelyn M. O’Donnell.
Councilman Ed Guz is not seeking re-election.
Although Nolan went public with her intention to run for mayor several months ago, she did not comment about her bid for office until after she filed her nominating petition in late July. She said her primary goal in running is to be a voice of the people, not of a political machine.
“I plan on looking into every budget that is funded by taxpayer money and seeing where cuts can be made without affecting the safety or principles of the town. Howell residents are concerned with sprawl and the over-population of our rural farming town. I stand firmly with them as I do not want to see our beautiful landscape changed into an urban-type town, as we are seeing happen in other local towns,” she said.
Nolan said she is very concerned about what she described as a growing drug problem in Howell and surrounding communities.
Nolan and her husband, Sean, have two children, one a sophomore in high school and one in the eighth grade. She said she has been an active PTA member for 10 years and is a supporter of youth sports programs.
