Susan Rogers, who lost her bid to be Point Pleasant Borough mayor, is not going anywhere.
Yes, she has her large home at 2308 River Road up for sale. But that's only because she's downsizing - not leaving town.
When asked, after Tuesday night's council meeting, about why she is trying to sell, she said, "I'm a licensed builder and own three homes in the borough. I made a decision to downsize. I've had my house on the market before. I'm not leaving Point Pleasant. I live here with my son and daughter and we're staying."
"I'll be coming to all the council meetings, sitting in the front row and asking them a lot of questions because I have more working knowledge of the budget than most of them up there."
Some borough residents noticed that Rogers, a Republican, had a "For Sale" sign installed outside her house shortly after she lost to William Schroeder, a Democrat in the November election. The five-bedroom home at 2308 River Rd., with a view of the Riverfront Park and Manasquan River across the street, is listed for $835,000 in a newspaper real estate advertisement.
Rogers has been on council for the past three years, serving recently as council president. Tuesday night was also Rogers' last council meeting, unless she decides to run in the future.
When asked about whether she will run again for mayor, council or borough Board of Education, she indicated it's a possibility.
She said, in an email, that she has worked hard on budget preparation for six years, first as a private citizen helping "Republican colleagues" on council and then for the past three years as a council member. She hinted that she may want to put that experience to work again.
"Right now I plan on attending to my health needs with an upcoming operation on my left lung," she wrote. "After that I plan on resting and spending a great deal of time with the kids (Bryan and Kyra).
"As for my future in politics I guess anything is possible," she continued. "I will certainly be a concerned resident and taxpayer sitting in the audience during the budget process and council meetings when I think I need to be there. Again, I don't think anyone on council ever delved into the finances, operations or laws of our government like I did. I hope someone will step up and take that role on."
"I was honored to hear Councilman McHugh say I set the bar high and I never gave anyone a pass - they have to do their jobs and they have to represent the best interest of taxpayers."
John McHugh Jr., a Democrat who often disagreed with Rogers on policy decisions, made those comments at Tuesday night's council meeting.
