Former mayor remembered for service to community
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Peter H. Carlson

JACKSON - Former Mayor and Township Committeeman Peter H. Carlson was remembered last week as a man who served Jackson for more than a quarter-century and cared deeply about the town he called home for more than 40 years. Carlson, 71, died on Dec. 31.

Carlson, a member of the Republican Party, was elected to the Township Committee in 1983 and served two terms, from Jan. 1, 1984, through Dec. 31, 1989. He was re-elected in 1992 and served two more terms, from Jan. 1, 1993, through Dec. 31, 1998. He served as Jackson's mayor in 1985, 1993 and 1995.

Carlson was a member of the Plan-ning Board for about 25 years.

"He was very knowledgeable and active as a committee member," said Jackson Business Administrator William Santos, who noted that Carlson always took the lead and never took a back seat.

Santos said Carlson always knew about all of the various projects that were occurring throughout town.

"He knew what was happening," said Santos. "He was always very involved."

Mayor Mark Seda said that when he became involved in politics, Carlson was already a veteran member of the Jackson political scene.

"I've learned many things from him, particularly regarding the dedication to the township and the entire community," said Seda. "It didn't matter who you were. If you had an issue that needed his attention, he would dedicate his time to making sure he did what he could for you within the realm of governing the township. I have a lot of respect for that."

Seda said Carlson made a major impression on him.

"He was a longtime resident of Jack-son," said the mayor. "He was very involved. He knew all of the issues Jackson was facing at the time. His passing is unfortunate. He will be sorely missed."

Vicky Rickabaugh served with Carlson on the governing body in the 1990s. She said he was "a man who just deeply cared about Jackson Township. He served this community in one way or another for at least 25 years. He was there for Jackson, and Jackson was there for him.

"He just cared about Jackson, what it was like 30 years ago, 25 years ago, and he cared about the Jackson of today. He knew where Jackson was and he cared about where it was going tomorrow. He looked into the future. He wanted it right," Rickabaugh said.

During the period when Rickabaugh and Carlson served together on the Township Committee, Jackson was named by Money magazine as one of the top 10 places in which to live in the United States, she said.

She said that was due in part to Carlson's leadership and to the people who lived in the community.

"He was a big part of the growth and development of Jackson," she said.

Councilwoman Ann Updegrave said Carlson "was a lot of fun and he will surely be missed. My condolences go out to the whole family."

Councilman Scott Martin said Carlson served Jackson for many years and will be missed.

Carlson was born in Schenectady, N.Y., and moved to Jackson in 1965. He taught school for more than 32 years, primarily in Old Bridge, Middlesex County.

He received a bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., in 1957 and later went on to complete a master's degree from the University of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In addition to his service on the Town-ship Committee and the Jackson Plan-ning Board, Carlson also served as a member of the Jackson Township Munic-ipal Utilities Authority, the Ocean County Planning Board and the Ocean County Utilities Authority.

During the summer he was a harness race judge, working at fairs all over the state. He also judged races at Freehold Raceway, Freehold.

He was a charter member of the Jackson Elks Club No. 2744 and a member of the Jackson Lions Club.

Carlson was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Doris Tuttle Carlson.

Surviving are his son, Peter H. Carlson, of Virginia Beach, Va.; his daughter, Krista Stephenson, and her husband, Joe, of Wilmington, N.C.; his sister, Mary Ellen Coffey, of Silver Spring, Md.; and two granddaughters, Kasey and Cassidy Stephenson.

A memorial service was held at the George Hassler Funeral Home on Jan. 6. Contributions may be made in Carlson's memory to the Jackson Elks Club No. 2744, P.O. Box 953, Jackson 08527, or to the Jackson Lions Club, P.O. Box 1091 Jackson 08527.