Second Ward Councilman Tom Rotondi with his wife, Stephanie, and their children (from left) baby Joey, Tommy, 7, and 2-year-old Celeste. (Photo courtesy Tom Rotondi Facebook page)
By MADDY VITALE
When describing his experience, Tom Rotondi, who is running unopposed for the 2nd Ward City Council seat in Ocean City, said he didn’t exactly plan to ever run for office.
In fact, the 41-year-old married father of three was used to helping others with their campaigns to get elected. He spent time knocking on doors and speaking with voters about candidates he believed in when he lived in Lower Township and then in Ocean City, a place the Rotondis have called home for over a decade.
“I really always wanted to pick the best candidate to represent the people. It is important you are doing this for the people. It is not about the title,” Rotondi explained in an interview. “If you are doing it for the people, you don’t care about the title. If it is about the title, then that is how you end up with bad government.”
When the opportunity came up to run for the 2nd Ward seat vacated by Councilman Antwan McClellan, who won election to the state Assembly, Rotondi said he was excited.
“I really liked knocking on doors and campaigning for people. As time went on and the opportunity came up with Antwan McClellan’s seat, I thought, 'Why not step up?'"
https://www.facebook.com/tom.rotondi/videos/2692477540861800/UzpfSTEwNDQ3ODgzNDQ1NjA1MToxNDA2ODkwMTA4MzUwMzM/
Unlike any other year in voting history, at least in Cape May County, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the voting is limited to mail-in ballots for the May 12 municipal election.
While it has changed the way Rotondi and other ward candidates are campaigning, it has not changed his resolve to get out the message that he will do well representing his ward.
He and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Tommy, 6, Celeste, 2, and 10-month-old Joey. Rotondi pledged that, if elected to Council, he will work hard to keep Ocean City family-friendly and safe and holding down on spending for lower taxes.
That is his main priority.
Safely opening the town for its residents and for tourism and controlling over-building are two additional areas of concern he also hears about from voters.
“We are a shore community and thrive on tourism. Together, both business leaders and the city administration need to work to develop a plan using the data that has been collected to restart our economy safely for the summer,” he said.
And when it comes to construction, elected officials need to focus on smart growth, Rotondi said.
“We want to grow, but not at the expense of the city plan. I would like to see the fabric of Ocean City intact and not look like a bunch of cookie cutter buildings,” he added. “There are some historical portions of Ocean City that are so important to preserve.”
Flooding is always a priority in the resort. Rotondi pointed out that Mayor Jay Gillian’s numerous flood mitigation projects throughout the community have helped but there is much more to be done.
“My main concern is fixing the flooding issues. Tackling that issue, like it has been done on Bay Avenue and Fourth Street, is a top priority,” Rotondi said.
He noted that he would also like to see more shared services agreements and grants for flood mitigation and other projects.
Rotondi said his background certainly lends itself to serving on Council.
He has the ability to listen to people and discuss ideas and a no-nonsense approach to business, he said.
Ocean City 2nd Ward Council candidate Tom Rotondi hands in his nominating petition to City Clerk Melissa Rasner, while his wife, Stephanie, and son, Tommy, look on in March.
Not only has he served in the military, but he was in law enforcement before choosing a career path that better suited his growing family. Now, he is able to work from home and dedicate time to them and his community.
He currently works with the Marsh and McLennan Agency, specializing in employee health and benefits consulting for non-profit, municipal and health care providers.
Before his current position, Rotondi served in several different roles in the military and law enforcement.
He is a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1997 to 2000.
After returning from service, he attended and graduated as class president from the Cape May County Police Academy. He became a Lower Township police officer and then a corrections officer for the State Department of Corrections.
Given the opportunity, Rotondi hopes to hold 2nd Ward meetings, similar to those held by incumbent Fourth Ward Councilman Bob Barr, to create an open dialogue and a venue separate from the Council meetings, specifically dedicated to issues in his ward.
“I want to be engaged and I will be having the ward meetings regularly to ensure they have a voice. It is important,” he said. “I can’t sit up there without talking to people and knowing what the issues are for them in our ward.”
Candidate Tom Rotondi is surrounded by family and friends and other supporters at Mark Soifer Park, across from City Hall on March 5, prior to social distancing restrictions.
Not having an election opponent has not lessen how Rotondi has campaigned.
Prior to the pandemic, he knocked on more than 500 doors to talk to people about the issues that matter to them, he explained.
With the unique environment now, social distancing and closures, Rotondi had to turn from face-to-face meetings with constituents to a fully digital platform, using text messages, emails and social media platforms to get his message out.
The civic-minded candidate noted that he is able to juggle myriad responsibilities on boards and organizations because he believes in what they are about.
Rotondi is a current member of the Ocean City Zoning Board, which he was unanimously appointed to by City Council in 2016. He is also a volunteer coach with Ocean City tee ball and a Master Mason with Cape Island Lodge 30.
Additionally, he is on multiple boards and is a volunteer with “Hand-to-Hand Mission to Haiti,” a non-profit organization that hand delivers solar lights, food, education supplies and tuition for the children in Haiti.
Rotondi believes his versatile resume includes all of the attributes that will make him a good leader and an asset to the Council.
“I think that every job I have ever had has given me a better understanding of people. I have had a lot of on-the-job training for crisis and good times,” he said. “I think my leadership is proven. I am able to stand up to people and not crumble. I think all of these leadership qualities gives me the understanding to be a good public servant.”
