Freehold Borough Council Election 2025: Margaret Rogers

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — Incumbent Margaret Rogers is running for re-election to the Freehold Borough Council in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

In November, Rogers (D) will run for one of two open seats on the council alongside running mate and incumbent Adam Reich (D). The two will face off against challengers Autumn Nonnenmacher (R) and Richard “Ricky” Gartz (R).

Ahead of the General Election, Patch posed several questions to Rogers about her campaign platform, experience, and what sets her apart from other candidates. Her replies are below.

Editor’s Note: The following article contains information about one of the candidates running for the Freehold Borough Council in 2025. Responses are written as received by Patch.

Patch has contacted all other candidates in this race with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

Are you running for the Freehold Borough Council? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Margaret Rogers

Age: 60
Town of Residence: Freehold Borough
Education: BA Management Science, Kean College of NJ (now University)
Occupation: Job Skills Coach, The Rugby School at Woodfield; Freehold Borough Councilwoman

What drove you to seek public office?
After over 30 years as a resident of Freehold Borough, my decision to seek public office stemmed from a deep-seated desire to serve and give back to this community. For me, this commitment isn't about recognition; it's about ensuring our residents receive the absolute best.

Whether it's through serving on the Town Council or volunteering at the local food bank, contributing to the place I call home makes me feel profoundly connected to my neighbors. When the opportunity for Town Council arose while I was serving on the Board of Education, I'll admit I was initially hesitant, questioning my qualifications. However, this experience taught me a valuable lesson: with dedication and commitment, we can achieve far more than we imagine.

In my current role, I have the privilege of connecting with all members of our community and meeting them with support, right where they are. That is truly my most fulfilling goal. And often, those I'm helping simply know me as Margaret — a neighbor who is here to help in any way I can.

What sets you apart from other candidates?
To be honest, I'm not sure I'm any more or less qualified than any other candidate who wants to serve for the right reasons. What I do know is that there's a tremendous amount of work involved in this position, and my work ethic requires me to get in there and do what is necessary to move our town forward while preserving a great standard of living for all residents.

My running mate, Adam Reich, and I have made a concerted effort to foster transparency by sharing more information, inviting more people to the table, and speaking honestly with our residents. We don't back down from difficult issues or disagreements; instead, we work tirelessly to find the best resolution.

Additionally, we actively collaborate with our fellow Council members to keep taxes low for our residents by exploring grants and other methods of revenue generation. For instance, allowing cannabis sales has already added significantly to our tax revenue, and we are excited about the upcoming redevelopment projects that will add even more. The ultimate goal is always to do what's best for our community and ensure every resident can maintain a great quality of life.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
When I reflect on my time in public service, my focus is always on this question: What have I done to make this community better?

During my tenure on the Board of Education, I was proud to be part of the selection process for our former superintendent, the late Rocco Tomazic, who successfully moved our public school district forward. His efforts secured full funding, enabling our students to learn at the same high level as those in neighboring towns.

On the Town Council, we've accomplished a tremendous amount to keep our town affordable, even amidst rising costs. This includes smart redevelopment that preserves the character of our downtown while capitalizing on new tax revenue; the aggressive use of grant funding to accelerate updates to our parks and streets; fostering a more diverse and highly qualified municipal workforce; and introducing community policing initiatives that allow residents to build relationships with our wonderful officers.

These professional experiences, combined with my long-standing volunteer commitment to organizations like the Provisions Promised Pantry and Girl Scouts, have helped me build the genuine leadership skills and dedication necessary to continue serving effectively in this role.

If re-elected, what will be your top priorities in your new role?
Moving forward, my top priorities are to continue finding innovative ways to keep Freehold Borough affordable and safe.

My primary focus, along with the mayor and council, is exploring new, creative revenue streams while diligently preserving the family-friendly charm that makes our town special. As I've mentioned, smart redevelopment, attracting new businesses, and responsible planning are key factors that will help us grow without losing our heart.

Improving our safety initiatives and strengthening our ordinances to effectively deal with issues like overcrowding and parking are also high on the list. It is imperative that we keep our streets safe for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists alike. We will continue to aggressively seek grants and alternate funding sources to keep our essential initiatives moving forward without placing a greater financial burden on our residents.

Name one thing about Freehold Borough that always makes you smile.
Our community, of course!

I love the positive energy of our town — attending the diverse events, seeing families out, and witnessing the genuine joy on their faces. I'm especially proud of the way we support one another during difficult times; that commitment to neighbor helping neighbor defines us. Most of all, I cherish the lifelong friendships and deep sense of community I've built here. Freehold isn't just a place I live; it's where my heart is!