I recently ran for a council seat in Beach Haven. I lost, or – as my wife likes to think of it – I was first runner-up. I want to thank everyone who honored me with their vote. With all the stress of a campaign and the disappointment of a loss, I am asked, “Why did you run?” The short answer is that my father raised me to believe it is important to give back to my community and society with integrity. I have taken that as a core life value.

I started visiting Beach Haven more than 50 years ago. When we could afford to do so, my wife and I bought a home here…