Former Seaside Park Councilman Selected to Fill Vacant Seat

Councilman William Kraft takes the oath of office in Seaside Park, Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A former member of the Seaside Park borough council will return to his post behind the dais to fill the seat vacated by former Councilwoman Karen Kroon.

Councilman William Kraft was unanimously chosen by the remaining six members of council to fill Kroon’s seat. Kroon, a Republican, resigned from her elected position after being hired by the borough as its new administrator, a full-time paid professional position. Kraft served on the council for multiple terms, the last of which ended in December 2022.

Under New Jersey election statutes, when a vacancy occurs on a municipal council, the local organization of whichever party the member belonged to selects three candidates to fill the seat for the remainder of the term. The council then selects one of the three nominees. Seaside Park’s Republican organization nominated Kraft as well as former Councilwoman Gail Coleman and local business owner Gerald Rotonda.

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Councilman William Kraft takes the oath of office in Seaside Park, Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Kraft was sworn in immediately after the vote, and took his seat to continue the council meeting last Thursday.

“He’s another individual who can hit the ground running,” said Mayor John Peterson. “We thank Councilman Kraft for volunteering, as he has a wealth of knowledge of all the issues facing our town.”