MB Commissioners Through the Years
The first borough commissioner I ever knew well was Sidney B. Johnson. No surprise there — he was a Monmouth Beach icon. Those familiar with town politics and government will mostly remember Sid Johnson as the town’s mayor — a post he held for 29 years.
In 1978, he resigned from the borough commission to take a job in the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Once his family-owned fish cold storage business was sold, “I had to find a real job,” he told me.
In 1989, Sidney made a political comeback. He approached me early in the race and asked me for some help. Although I was a political science grad from Monmouth College, I had little practical experience with campaigns and elections. I ended up helping with strategy and mailers — and Sidney was still a master politician. He easily won a special election that November defeating appointee-commissioner Anthony Villane, III. In 1993, Sid ran unopposed and was elected to another four-year term.
When he really retired in 1997, Sidney had a perfect 10-0 record in Monmouth Beach commission elections. The man who the Asbury Park Press once said “speaks faster then the human ear is capable of hearing” died in March 2001 at age 86. I feel very fortunate to have to known him and helped him.
As a journalist — reporter, editor, columnist and now blogger — I’ve watched the MB Board of Commissioners since 1985. Here are some photos and news items regarding MB’s top governing body.

2023 Borough of Monmouth Beach Leadership — Commissioner Timothy Somers, Mayor David Stickle, and Commissioner Larry Bolsch, 2021 (Jack Flaherty Photo). Next Election: May 2025. Contact — HERE.
Monmouth Beach Borough Commissioners/Council through the years …

First Monmouth Beach borough election sample ballot, April 1906. Fewer than 125 residents voted in the partisan election with the Democrats winning everything. Prior to that first vote, Monmouth Beach was part of Ocean Twp.

Seated: Mayor Sue Howard. Standing: Borough Clerk Bonnie Moore, Commissioners Kim Guadagno and Jim Cunniff, 2005.

Borough Commissioner Jim Cunniff (l) with then NJ Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the NJ GOP governor candidate 2017.

MB election, 1997. (APP.com)

Campaign flyer for Sodano, Meyer, Bradley ticket for MB Commission, May 1989. They ran and won unopposed.

Mayor F. Brent Neale (seated) with Commissioner Louis Sodano, Borough Clerk Bonnie Moore and Commissioner Bruce Bradley (standing l to r) at borough hall, 1980.

Commissioner F. Brent Neale, Mayor Sidney Johnson and Commissioner Edwin Peterson celebrate victory, 1977.

Mayor Sidney Johnson, Commissioner F. Brent Neale, and Commissioner Edwin Peterson after victory, 1977. Speaking to the Red Bank Register afterwards, Mayor Johnson called this race the “most vicious campaign” of his political career.

Mayor Sidney Johnson (l) congratulations Raymond Tierney (c) on his appointment as borough commissioner to replace Clarence Cook (r), February 1963.

Commissioner Harold Peterson, Mayor Sidney Johnson and Commissioner Clarence Cook re-elected, 1960s.

Clarence Cook, Sidney Johnson, and Harold Peterson ticket elected to borough Board of Commissioners, 1953.

New MB Government: Commissioner Henry Mihm, Mayor Sidney Johnson, and Commissioner Clarence Cook at an borough organization meeting, May 1949.

MB Board of Commissioner’s election, 1937. Johnson was appointed mayor. (APP.com)

MB Board of Commissioner’s election, 1933. (APP.com)

MB Board of Commissioner’s election, 1929. (APP.com)

MB voters approve commission form of government, September 1929. (APP.com)

Every Vote Counts — Republican Mayor Manahan tops Democrat Councilman Johnson by 1 vote in the borough mayor’s race. APP, November 1914.

Some neat coverage of the ’14 Monmouth Beach mayor’s race in the Long Branch Daily Record, November 1914.

“Committee Work” — for new Monmouth Beach Mayor Garrett H. White. Long Branch Daily Record, January 1909.
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More MB Commission related items …

Story on the Asbury Park Press, August 1929. (APP.com)

Kim Guadagno is sworn by as NJ’s first Lieutenant Governor. January 2010 (Kim was a MB commissioner from 2005-07).

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno after winning the Republican nomination for NJ Governor’s race, 2017 (Kim was a MB commissioner from 2005-07).

William Barham is sworn in as Monmouth County Freeholder Director, January 2006 (Bill was a MB commissioner from 1997-2005)

William Barham is sworn in as a Monmouth County Freeholder, December 2004. (Bill was a MB commissioner from 1997-2005). At far left is the man he replaced Freeholder Harry Larrison, who died in May 2005.
More:
• Monmouth Beach Mayor’s Gallery — HERE
• Monmouth Beach’s Political Beginnings — HERE
• MB Politics: Johnson & Johnson Style — HERE