Asbury Park’s Dello honored as
‘role model for public servants’
When NJ State Senator Vin Gopal decid-
ed to inaugurate an awards ceremony in
the 11th District to recognize public labor
union leaders, he had no trouble deter-
mining who would be among the first to be
honored.
“Gene Dello has done so much import-
ant work on every level,” Senator Gopal said
of the longtime Asbury Park Local 6 State
Delegate, who was one of three honorees
at the June 7 event in Long Branch’s Market
Place.
Gopal’s bid to defeat incumbent Jennifer
Beck in the November 2017 election was
aided extensively by the NJ State PBA. It
was Dello who first advocated for the vol-
unteer firefighter from Long Branch to take
on Beck.
“Before anybody else lobbied the State
PBA board, Gene really went to bat for me,”
Gopal said. “Beyond that, he is a guy who
has helped so many people in Asbury Park,
Deal, Long Branch and throughout Mon-
mouth County. He’s a role model for all
public servants.”
Dello, who became the Local 6 State
Delegate in 2007 and has served 28 years
in Asbury Park, said he was stunned when
he learned of the award. He said he wanted
to accept it on behalf of officers that he felt
needed to be recognized.
“