EATONTOWN – The Eatontown Borough Council began the new year with a vacancy after Bridget Harris resigned from her position on Dec. 31.
During the municipality’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, Mayor Anthony Talerico said Harris resigned after serving one year of her first three-year term as a councilwoman.
Talerico did not say why Harris stepped away from her duties, but he said Harris “left her mark as a level-headed member who was always rational and never quick to anger … This is a skill that is missing in politics.”
In her Dec. 26 letter of resignation to township officials, Harris said she would not be returning to the council in 2019.
“I am writing to notify you I will be resigning my position as councilwoman of Eatontown effective Dec. 31, 2018. It has truly been a pleasure and an experience to serve the residents of Eatontown and work alongside my fellow council persons and mayor.
“I thank you for the numerous opportunities through classes and conferences offered throughout my first year as councilwoman. Eatontown will forever be a special part of me and my family’s life,” Harris wrote.
She could not immediately be reached for additional comment.
Because Harris is a Democrat, the Eatontown Democratic Party will have the opportunity to identify candidates to fill the vacancy on council. Democrats will soon provide names to the council and members of the governing body will select Harris’ successor.
The current members of the council are Democrats Al Baginsky, Jennifer Sherrod, Jasmine Story, Patti May Kelly and Lisa Murphy.
Story, Murphy and Talerico assumed their new roles in municipal government on Jan. 1.
