From the If We Didn’t See It With Our Own Eyes Dept., Frelinghuysen Mayor Shannon Drylie reflected on her year in office and the political détente she built with Committeeman Keith Ramos.
“Never, ever in a million years did I think that I would be saying this to you. But thank you,” Drylie said at last week’s final Township Committee meeting of 2025. “Thank you for putting that olive branch out to me early on in my tenure as mayor for us to sit down and talk.”
While the Frelinghuysen Committee is all Republican, there a number of subspecies, creating de facto opposing parties. In the run-up to the 2024 election when Drylie was elected, “opposing parties” would have been a polite way of describing the relationship between Drylie and Ramos.
Drylie described “months and months” of rancor during that campaign, but after she was elected, she said Ramos reached out.
“Due to that olive branch, he and I met for four-and-a-half hours here at Town Hall,” Drylie said. “And for lack of a better term, we hammered it all out and left it on the table. We certainly didn’t agree all the time, but we moved forward for the sake of our town.”
Ramos, whose term ends with 2025, responded in kind.
“I would like to commend Mayor Drylie on her efforts and dedication as mayor this past year,” Ramos said. “She started with integrity and a commitment that I personally was grateful for, as I am sure our residents were as well. Although we didn’t always agree, we respected each other’s position.”
Drylie also thanked Committeeman Robert Stock, who is also leaving the governing body after many years.
“Mr. Stock, I was told early on that when you speak, I should listen with both ears,” Drylie said. “And I have your tireless work on the budget, as well as the grants for the town did not go unnoticed.”
Two newly elected members, Brian L. James and David J. Togno Sr., will be sworn into office at the Township Committee Reorganization meeting Jan. 1, 2026, at 10 a.m.
A mayor for 2026 will be chosen from among the five members of the governing body, which on first of the year will have undergone a complete turnover in committee members.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
