HAZLET — Despite varying political postures within the same party, voters will decide June 4 who, of two choices, will be the township’s Democratic candidate.
The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all the regular polling places in the township where voters can cast their votes for one of two Democratic candidates with different ideologies — Kevin Lavan, 57, of 7 Carlisle Lane; or James Brady, 63, of 42 Bayshore Manor.
Brady, a longtime Hazlet resident, owns and operates Brownstone Cleaners in Red Bank. A member of the Monmouth County Hazlet Democratic Executive Committee, Brady is also president of the Hazlet Mobile Home Association.
Lavan works as a hiring agent for NYSA ILA (the International Long-shoremen’s Association), formerly of the World Trade Center. He’s also the president of the Hazlet Democratic Club, not to be confused with the Hazlet Democratic Club Inc.
While jobs and affiliations differ, so do the candidates’ views on what a real Democrat is and who the real party loyalty lies with.
Lavan is endorsed by what is known as the Hazlet Democratic Club, and is its president. He is also backed by an organization dubbed The Regular Democrats of Hazlet Inc., which has "established a campaign committee to assist their candidate, Kevin Lavan," a press release read.
Brady is endorsed by Hazlet Democratic Club Inc., the officially incorporated older of the two Democratic clubs, which he has called "the old-time one."
Brady will tell you that the club he belongs to is the real Democrats club in that it had incorporated status long before there was any other Democratic Club in the township.
However, Lavan supporters will tell you that he has the Monmouth County Democratic Executive Committee’s full support, and that’s the support that counts most. Lavan also has the endorsement of Congressman Frank Pallone, and is part of a campaign which has adopted the slogan ‘Lavan for Hazlet 2002’ and included him in what has been labeled ‘The Pallone Team’ literature and signage.
Brady last year did not ultimately succeed in getting the party’s nomination, but did get the Democratic Executive Committee’s backing, Knowing that he was lacking the backing he needed for a full-force run, Brady ended up running instead as an Independent. That’s not the case this year.
While party affiliation may have vacillated, Brady’s campaign slate is the same. As with last year, he wants to see more open discussion of townshipwide issues and easier access to public records that he says are intended to educate the public on its own tax dollar spending. Brady also wants to see a more proactive township role in helping its seniors and children.
Saying he wants to give the government back to the people, Brady says public access to information on public issues should be made more accessible to residents.
Another thing that Brady thinks has been overlooked is the proper protocol in the construction code office.
Lavan has some ideas for change that are similar to Brady’s and others that are quite different. His campaign platform asks for:
• stabilization of the township’s tax rate through the promotion of the establishment of a municipal chamber of commerce that would be designed to actively solicit tenants for unoccupied retail spaces.
• coordinating a final site plan regarding the location of a new municipal complex that reflects the best interests of the township.
• striking a balance between open space preservation and bringing in clean tax ratables with future development abiding by the township’s proposed master plan.
• pursuit of a municipal ballot referendum for the preservation and maintenance of open space.