BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer
Long Branch LONG BRANCH — Local municipal and community groups have announced their support for rival candidates in the upcoming municipal election.
The Long Branch Superior Officers Association (SOA) Local No. 10 and the Long Branch Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) Local No. 10 have endorsed Mayor Adam Schneider and the current council administration.
At the same time, the Long Branch Condom-inium Coalition, a group of condominium owners representing some 40 condominium associations in the city, have endorsed Steve Molnar, who is running for city council on The New Wave Team ticket headed by Alfie Lenkiewicz.
SOA President Sgt. Frank T. Morey said in a press release Tuesday, “We feel that Mayor Schneider and the current council have done an excellent job in working with the police department in helping to provide Long Branch residents with the highest level of service possible. We feel that the mayor understands that a police department’s structure must continuously evolve to meet the demands of a growing and diverse population.”
PBA Local 10 President Christopher Hazel said, “The PBA is confident that the mayor and his team have made public safety a priority enabling the city to continue moving in a positive direction.
“The PBA is confident that Mayor Schneider and his team’s commitment to public safety [mean] the residents of this city will receive the level of service they deserve,” Hazel added.
Molnar, who is a board member and treasurer of the condominium association as well as a condominium owner in the city, will be representing not only all the citizens of Long Branch but also the condominium owners in the city, Bill McLaughlin, president of the coalition, said Tuesday.
“As a condominium owner, the issues he has are the same issues we all have,” McLaughlin said. “He will be representing the best interests of the coalition.”
McLaughlin added that Molnar has outlined a campaign platform that includes lowering city taxes, reducing the city’s debt, enacting pay-to-play reform and increasing services while running an open, honest and ethical government.
“He has been with the coalition from the beginning and helped in getting it established,” McLaughlin said. “The members of the coalition will be supporting him.”

