Councilman Douglas Witte to Leave After 33 Years; Named Lake Como 2025 Citizen of the Year

Councilman Douglas Witte announced at the Borough of Lake Como Mayor and Council meeting on March 4, 2025, that he will not run for re-election after 33 years of service and will remain in office through the end of his current term. Witte read a prepared statement recounting five decades of community service, beginning as a first-aid volunteer and later serving multiple terms on the council.

Witte described his career in public service in detail, noting that he took a First Aid course in 1970 and became the first EMT in the history of the South Belmar First Aid squad, later joined the South Belmar Fire Company when age limits changed, served as fire chief in multiple years and was elected to council at age 24. "It is now 2025 and I am in my 33rd year, I am the longest serving councilman in the history of the town," Witte said in his statement. He said he would not run for re-election and thanked residents for their support.

Mayor Higgins responded by thanking Witte for his service and announced that the borough will honor him as Citizen of the Year for 2025; Higgins also said the Mayor's Bash will be held July 10 at Bar Anticipation and that the Business of the Year has not yet been announced. In the public comment period, resident Michael Ryan of E Street also "thanked the Mayor and Council and Lake Como DPW for all their work for a successful parade day" and congratulated Witte on his long service.

Witte's statement in the minutes references multiple civic roles (EMT, fire chief, school board member) and past recognitions including induction into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Hall of Fame in 2013 for 20 years of service. The minutes do not specify plans for who will run for Witte's seat or any interim appointments.