David Kane MANALAPAN — There will be a contested race for one three-year term on the Manalapan Township Committee in the Nov. 3 election.
Manalapan Democrats filled an open spot on the ballot by naming attorney David Kane, 32, as their candidate for a seat on the governing body.
Kane will face Republican candidate Rebecca Ginsberg in the election.
The winner will join the committee in January. Republicans currently have a 5-0 majority on the governing body.
In the June primary, Manalapan Democrats tapped John Alfano as their candidate. Alfano subsequently dropped out of the race and has been replaced by Kane.
Kane said he is ready to represent the long-term interests of families of Manalapan.
“I have been interested in running for a long time and this was the first chance I saw a good opportunity to do so,” he said. “I have experience that is relevant to what is done on the committee and I plan to offer a new perspective and voice to the board that represents the families of Manalapan.”
Kane is an attorney at McCarter & English and said he specializes in commercial litigation. He said he has done a lot of community service through pro bono work.
“I try to dedicate as much time toward pro bono work as I can,” he said. “I work for people who cannot afford an attorney and give them legal counseling.”
Kane said Manalapan’s governing body needs a new voice.
“We need someone who is younger with a family and has a long-term interest in the town,” he said. “Right now there is really no one on the committee with a young family, so I bring a different perspective to the table.”
Kane said that he has been a member of the New Manalapan Democratic Club for one year.
He said that when he learned Alfano had dropped out of the race he thought it was a good opportunity to step in and get involved.
Kane said he moved to Manalapan in 2011 and this will be his first foray into municipal government.
“In terms of qualifications, I am hard working and handle complex cases at work all the time,” he said. “I am used to dealing with big and important issues. For me this (decision to run) is less politics and more community service. Local government to me is dedicating your time to bettering the community and I feel I should be involved since my family will be here for a long time.”
Kane said one issue drawing his attention is Manalapan Crossing. A developer has proposed the construction of a mixed use commercial and residential project at Route 33 and Millhurst Road. No application for the development has been filed as of this time. Municipal officials have been discussing how they may want to proceed on the matter.
“We need to get a handle on our development and I think we need to take a new view that is holistic and looks at all the factors that are relevant when we are considering whether or not to do new developments,” he said.
Kane said another concern for him is the potential for drug use by young people in the community. He said at one time the Manalapan Police Department had a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, but that is no longer the case.
“We need to take a new look at that and see what we can do to best handle that situation,” he said. “Educating the younger community of Manalapan is important, especially when it comes to the use of drugs.”
He said he is committed to the town and is excited to have the opportunity to contribute.
“I see some issues in the town’s governing and I felt I should be involved,” Kane said. “I am very invested in this town.”