News

By Dan Moffett

    Louis De Stefano would rather not say he is resigning his seat on the Manalapan Town Commission.
    “Just say I’m retiring,” he said. “I prefer that.”
    The town’s vice mayor made the surprise announcement at the commission’s Oct. 28 meeting, saying that the demands of the office were taking a toll on his duties as CEO of Theramedix, a pharmaceutical enzyme company. And those infamous three-hour Manalapan meetings were also cutting into his yoga time.
    De Stefano’s retirement means Mayor Pro Tem Tom Thornton will take over as vice mayor and Commissioner Peter Isaac becomes the new mayor pro tem. De Stefano’s Seat 4 ocean position doesn’t come up for election until 2016, so Mayor David Cheifetz says the town will be looking to appoint a replacement to serve out the rest of the two-year term.
    “Since being elected in 2010, I have witnessed a complete turnover in personnel on this commission,” De Stefano said. “The town is fortunate to have this very competent and responsible group.”
    A 25-year resident of Manalapan, De Stefano came to office after a decade of service with the town’s library and its architecture and zoning boards.
    Former Mayor Peter Blum coaxed him to run for the seat. “He said the town couldn’t afford for me not to run,” De Stefano said.
    Because he has owned property on Point Manalapan and the oceanfront, De Stefano has been able to offer a balanced perspective on a commission that over the years has found itself divided over geography and street addresses.
    Asked about his proudest achievement as commissioner, De Stefano takes a typically broad view. “I’d say my consistency — not any one thing,” he says. “I’ve always tried to be fair with everyone.