MANSFIELD: Committee’s open seats uncontested

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   MANSFIELD — Committeeman Alfred Clark and Deputy Mayor Robert Higgins are running unopposed this election to keep their seats.
   And, according to the candidates, running unopposed doesn’t weaken their resolve to make sure Mansfield residents get the best government service available to them.
   Mr. Clark, a Republican, is running for his second three-year term on the committee.
   He also was on the Zoning Board for six years and the Planning Board for three years and was chairman of both boards.
   Mr. Clark has lived in town for 22 years. He is also a veteran of the Navy and fought in the Vietnam War.
   ”I live on a farm so we’re constantly looking out for the farmers in town,” Mr. Clark said. “As far as we’re concerned, this is still a farmer’s community.”
   He said the main focus for him in the upcoming term would be “to make sure the taxpayer’s money is being spent properly and not being wasted.”
   Mr. Clark, 72, has been retired for 10 years.
   ”I have a great feeling for the town,” he said. “I have the time to give.”
   As a certified site inspector, Mr. Clark is in charge of the streets in town and looks at roadwork in progress and roadwork that needs to be done.
   ”I go out quite a bit and look at work,” he added.
   He was a farrier, one who shoes horses, for 22 years full-time and still does farrier work part-time.
   After his full-time career as a farrier, he got into engineering and has been a site inspector for 20 years, working mainly for Remington and Vernick, the township’s engineer firm.
   ”I’m retired, and I have the time to give, and I see where someone needs to look over the taxpayers’ money and make sure our tax money is being paid properly,” Mr. Clark said.
   Looking ahead to the next three years, he said the township’s firetrucks, police cars and garbage trucks need to be replaced, adding that, just the other day, the newest of the township’s three garbage trucks broke down.
   ”Our biggest issue is coming up with money to keep the town serviced,” he said.
   He also said a big step is moving into a new municipal building.
   ”We hope to move the township employees in by Jan. 1,” he said. “Everything will be in the same building.”
   The Mansfield Fire Department is there now, and the police and Public Works also eventually will move into the new facility, which is on Route 130.
   Mr. Higgins, also a Republican, said he learned a lot in his fist term.
   ”I still think I have a lot more to contribute,” he said. “I’ve been getting vibes from people in the township that I’ve helped them understand things.”
   Mr. Higgins, a certified public accountant since 1973, is a partner in the Hamilton Financial Group and also has been a registered municipal accountant for 30 years.
   ”New Jersey has its own form of accounting for municipalities,” he said “You need to pass an exam to be an RMA (in) New Jersey.”
   Mr. Higgins, 59, is a member of the Environment Commission and the Planning Board. He is involved with the township’s Personnel, Financial and Building and Grounds committees. He also was very involved in conjoining the Mansfield and Springfield courts into one to save the township money. The courts merged in April.
   He said he can continue to help residents understand municipal budgets, especially the 2 percent cap.
   ”The 2 percent cap has put tremendous pressure on local officials in understanding the municipal financial structure,” he said. “I have a lot of knowledge in municipal finance. I think it’s difficult times financially. Understanding finances in municipal government is extremely important. It’s like running a business.”
   Mr. Higgins has two daughters, has been married since 1976. He has lived in Mansfield for 15 years. He also attended Rider University where he played soccer.
   All five committee members are Republican, and the Republican Party in Mansfield has gone unopposed for the past two terms.