93-year-old World War II vet elected mayor of Tinton Falls

<p>A 93-year-old World War II veteran upset an incumbent Monmouth County mayor who was seeking a second term.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2017, 12:20 PM

Updated 2,371 days ago

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A 93-year-old World War II veteran upset an incumbent Monmouth County mayor who was seeking a second term.
Vito Perillo says that he has been working since he was 9 years old.
“I think it’s the key to my longevity. I’ve always kept busy in my life,” he says.
Perillo, who served in the Navy, also worked as a defense engineer and an accountant.
“To me, it’s another job. I’m going to go to another job…I am still doing the accounting books for my son and daughter,” he says.
Perillo ran a grassroots campaign, walking from house to house, handing out flyers. He received a little help from his family along the way. He says that he wore out two pairs of shoes walking around town.
"I think Tinton Falls is in fantastic hands. Thing about my grandfather, he's the most selfless man I ever met in my entire life,” says grandson Mike. “He cares about people and he's going to care about every resident of this town and make sure their voice is heard."
Perillo says that he ran his campaign on a message of transparency. He says that lawsuits in the town cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"I want to bring everyone together. The ones who voted for me, the ones who voted against me. We're all Tinton Falls,” he says.
Perillo will be sworn in as mayor on Jan. 2. 


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