Councilwoman Maria Rondinaro

mrondinaro@belmar.com

 

Sworn in on January 3, 2023 as Belmar Borough Councilwoman, Maria Rondinaro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and private practice mental health therapist.  Maria lives in the Rhode Island Point area of Belmar, owning her home with her husband Joe Paternostro and 9 year old daughter Adriana, who attends Belmar Elementary School.  Prior to going into private practice for the past 8 years, Maria worked as a Day support Clinician for Loudoun County’s Office for Mental Health/Substance Abuse and Developmental Disabilities, Virginia. She has also worked as a hospital case management social worker, DePaul Hospital, St. Louis, MO.  Her Masters degree in Social Work has prepared her to tackle community development programs, policy creation, research analysis, and grant proposals. 

 

Volunteerism is a passion for Ms. Rondinaro, who serves as a Belmar Community Policing Block Captain has helped fundraise for the Belmar Friends of the Library, is active in the Belmar Elementary PTO, and volunteers at Rescue Ridge Animal Shelter.  Additionally, she was part of the Belmar Braver Angels group, a bipartisan group of Belmar residents comprised of both “red and blue” leaning members to work together on issues important to Belmar. While in the group, she studied the Master Plan and advocated to Mayor and Council for increased communications and an improved website.  This group, disbanded since Covid, demonstrates Ms. Rondinaro’s ability to work together despite party affiliation and has offered friendships across the aisle

 

Maria was presented with the “Hero of the Year Award” in 2021 by the Monmouth County Young Democrats, where she was recognized for her grassroots effort to assist seniors and community members in scheduling Covid vaccine appointments during the height of the pandemic.  During this time, Maria helped cut fabric for the community mask brigade, including mask donations to Belmar Borough staff, and was featured on News Channel 4 for making get well/support cards with her daughter for Covid patients and hospital staff. 

 

Maria is passionate about supporting local businesses by shopping and dining locally, and promoting the amazing “Mom and Pop” shops in Belmar. She states, “Raising a family with my husband Joe in Belmar is a true gift and it gives me such joy to give back to the community I love so dearly.”  Maria believes Mayor and Council should serve as trusted servants and not politicians.  After spending the last six years actively attending Mayor and Council meetings, Maria is honored to be serving on Council and representing the Belmar community.