FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Election Day will feature four candidates seeking two three-year terms on the Township Committee.
On Nov. 3, incumbent Republicans Thomas Cook and Anthony Ammiano will seek re-election. They will be challenged for the seats by Democrats Doris Lin and Haven Franklin.
The five-person committee has a 5-0 Republican majority.
Ammiano, the chief financial officer and treasurer of Del-Sano Contracting, Union, for 30 years, said he would “love to continue to serve on the Freehold Township governing body for another three years.”
“I would be honored to be chosen to continue with this team of amazing public servants,” Ammiano said.
The committee, he said, “works hand in hand” with the administration to identify, prioritize and address issues facing the township.
“Professional experience gives me the ability to assist with the fiscal and operational challenges facing our township. In addition, my very active 15 years on the Township Committee brings me keenly in touch with the needs of our residents,” Ammiano said.
Continued involvement in Freehold Township’s “brand of good government makes serving the public of this great community a pleasure year after year,” he said.
Cook, the reprographics director for a law firm in New York City, is serving as Freehold Township’s mayor in 2015 and explained why he wants to continue to serve the township.
“The short answer is that as a fourth generation resident, I continue to have the passion to serve the residents of Freehold Township,” Cook said. “I have been in operations for more than 25 years dealing with budgets, clients, customer service, staffing and technology. I believe my work experiences allow me to make a contribution to Freehold Township.”
Cook said he spends a good deal of time meeting people at community events.
“I am committed to working to maintain our beautiful parks, a great senior center, a stable tax rate despite decreased state aid, and the array of municipal services that are provided to our residents,” he said.
Cook said he wants “to continue to make a contribution.”
“As issues arise throughout the year, I am happy to be a person who tackles them head on,” he said.
Franklin is semi-retired and her most recent work experience includes technical support for a home-based publishing business. Prior to that she worked in technical positions at AT&T and Bell Laboratories for 30 years.
Franklin said that she would like “to bring openness and accountability to our local governing body.”
“Our current Township Committee operates with virtually no oversight because no opposing party member is present to question the status quo. When one party rules for 43 years in any town, residents can expect the entrenched majority will do whatever they want because they never have to listen or answer to any opposing viewpoints,” Franklin said.
Stating a need for “transparency and accountability,” Franklin recommended putting videos of public meetings online or airing videos of the meetings on the township’s cable television channel.
“This would be an opportunity to engage residents by giving them a firsthand experience on how township business is conducted,” Franklin said.
As to which issues will need the committee’s attention in the upcoming three years, Franklin said, “Taxes, taxes, taxes. We need to comb through the budget and see where we can cut back without sacrificing infrastructure, schools and safety.”
Lin, an attorney who has run for public office in the past, said she is running “to see a positive change in the way Freehold Township is governed.”
“With one-party rule for over 40 years, there is no one on the Township Committee who will challenge the other committee members and ask, ‘Is there a better way to do this?’ ” Lin said.
As to issues that will need the committee’s attention in the upcoming three years, she said, “We will need to address a number of issues; escalating property taxes, transparency and better environmental initiatives.
“Property tax changes will require a multi-faceted approach involving the state government, but my running mate, Haven Franklin, and I will push for those changes.
“We would also pursue a shop local program that gives property tax credits and look into shared services and other ways to cut spending,” Lin said. “Better transparency will be achieved by broadcasting Township Committee meetings and making the meeting minutes more comprehensive,” she said.