With all but two municipal reorganizations complete in Independent towns, this is an appropriate time to welcome the new officials and mayors who will be dealing with the myriad problems, large and small, that are sure to arise in the coming year.
In Middletown, Township Committeewoman Joan Smith will be sworn in Sunday as mayor. On a five-member committee which has changed little in the past decade and where everyone has been mayor at least once, Smith will assume that title for the second time. During her first term as mayor in 1995, she made a point of encouraging volunteerism, something she plans to promote again this year, along with open space acquisition and township beautification.
Residents should welcome her back for a second mayoral term.
In Hazlet, Democratic Councilman Michael Christopher was sworn in Monday to serve as mayor in the final year of his three-year term. With a 4-1 Democratic majority behind him, he should have little trouble achieving his goals.
We don’t know Christopher well, but hope he will make a point of opening meetings to more discussion and also encourage residents to become active in township government. He should consider moving workshop meetings into the main meeting room to encourage the public to attend.
At Holmdel’s Township Committee reorganization next Monday, Art Davey, now in his second year on the committee, is expected to be sworn in a mayor. Like Christopher, this will be his first turn at that position, although he has been active in the township for some time.
We hope, like Smith, he will make a point of encouraging more volunteerism and, at the same time, keep residents abreast of developments concerning the acquisition of the Chase Bank tract and other important issues.
Now that the Matawan Borough Council is all Republican, it is important that it encourage public discussion. The borough has a number of important issues pending, such as further restoration of the community center for borough hall use, redevelopment of the area around the train station, repair of the two township dams and continued downtown revitalization. Mayor Robert Clifton has said the six-member council will not be a rubber stamp. We’re counting on that.
Aberdeen had no election last fall and will continue with an all-Democratic Township Council and mayor.
Keyport now has a split council with three Democrats and three Republicans. The Republicans have made a comeback over the past two years, indicating that residents like their ideas. That being the case, the council Democrats should make a point of listening to them and trying to reach agreement issues that count.