Angelo Andriulli, 66, has announced his candidacy for the Petsworth District seat of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors in the upcoming November election. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served 20 years.
The Petsworth District seat is currently held by Ken Gibson, who is not seeking reelection. Two candidates are vying for the open seat—Andriulli, an independent, and Joseph Atkins “Joe” Leming, who is running as a Republican.
Andriulli and his wife, Tammy, have lived in Gloucester since 2008. “We knew it was a really great place to live,” he said.
Running as an independent, Andriulli said he wants to look out for the best interest of all Gloucester residents. “I’m non-political because I want to run for the community,” said Andriulli. “Let’s make Gloucester a good place to live for all of us.”
The top two concerns Andriulli has heard from people on the campaign trail are the increase of housing developments and worsening traffic.
“People don’t want housing developments,” said Andriulli.
If elected, Andriulli said he would like to encourage the board to send a letter of intent to each person in the district where a housing development is proposed. He would like the members of that district vote whether they would like the proposed housing development to be built their district.
“We don’t want seven people to tell 39,000 how to live their lives,” he said. “They don’t listen to what the people are saying.”
Andriulli said that he is concerned with Gloucester becoming overdeveloped and would like to preserve the county’s rural farming community.
“We don’t want that to happen here,” he said about overdevelopment.
Andriulli has his own farm and would like people to enjoy their own land, whether they have a full-scale agriculture operation, tend a small vegetable garden or simply enjoy serene evenings on their front porch.
Another goal of Andriulli’s is to bring more family-oriented activities to Gloucester residents. “They want things to do for their family,” said Andriulli.
One idea Andriulli has is creating a county-operated farm complete with a petting zoo, barn, small classroom and antique farm equipment on display. He also suggested that local 4-H clubs and the Gloucester chapter of the Future Farmers of America club could use the space and small children could visit the farm for school field trips.
“That would be for the community,” he said. “There would be no fee.”
Andriulli is also supportive of the watermen in the area and would like to honor the history of the culture through displaying out-of-service vessels and providing historical information.
“I support the commercial watermen 100 percent,” said Andriulli.
Two hot-button issues that he voiced opposition with include solar farms and data centers. “People don’t want concrete buildings here,” alluding to data centers.
If elected, Andriulli said he would be committed to listening to the people he serves.
“I encourage people to tell me their concerns,” he said. “I want the input of the people because you are the ones who are important in the county.”
Andriulli is a full-time caregiver for his wife, to whom he has been married for 27 years.
“I will listen to the people,” said Andriulli.