MANALAPAN – The race for a three-year term on the five-member Manalapan Township Committee pits a one-term committeeman against a resident who has served in volunteer capacities on municipal boards and is seeking elective office for the first time.
Democrat David Kane, who was elected to a seat on the governing body in November 2015, is seeking a second three-year term. On Election Day, Nov. 6, he will face a challenge from Republican Barry Jacobson.
The five-member Township Committee has a 4-1 Republican majority. Kane, the lone Democrat, is joined by Republicans Jack McNaboe, Susan Cohen, Mary Ann Musich and Kevin Uniglicht. A victory by Jacobson will give the GOP 5-0 control of the panel.
The winner of the election will serve a term from January 2019 through December 2021.
For this election preview, Kane and Jacobson were each asked to provide a statement describing their reasons for seeking office and their thoughts about serving Manalapan’s residents.
Jacobson said, “I am a resident of Manalapan and Monmouth County for over 20 years. Since late 2013, I have been retired and have been able to devote even more time to volunteer. During the past decade, I had gradually become more involved with the volunteer committees and boards that assist the Township Committee to make the tough decisions balancing high quality service at a reasonable cost to taxpayers while following mandated statutes, rules and regulations.
“The committees I have served on are the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Economic Development Council, which I chaired, the Environmental Commission, the Manalapan Arts Council, the Transportation Committee and, currently, I serve on the Planning Board.
“With the challenges facing our Township Committee and the need to continue to provide top-notch services, I believe my work experience in government, coupled with my volunteer experience for the town, enable me to continue the excellence exhibited by our Township Committee both past and present.
“In the near term, the town has to reduce its high reliance on the residential property tax base and this must be accomplished by smart development along the commercial corridors of the township. We must also continue to work with surrounding towns and the regional school districts for additional ways to share services to improve the lives and safety of our residents and, more specifically, our children and grandchildren.
“My work background with the Social Security Administration required me to analyze evidence and make determinations following established law, rules and policy balancing the rights of the individual while protecting the taxpayer. I had positions of responsibility ranging from adjudicator, management and policy expert. My job on the Township Committee will be to do the same and I feel my experience gives me the opportunity to say so,” Jacobson said.
Kane said, “The driving force behind my public service is my commitment to protecting the future of our town. My two daughters, who are 5 and 2, provide me with a long-term interest in Manalapan’s future because they will grow up here for many years to come. I firmly believe we must keep Manalapan affordable for everyone, including families like mine, and protect our quality of life.
“I’m proud that during the three years of my term, I have successfully worked with the other Township Committee members to keep municipal taxes down through fiscally responsible budgets. I believe we should maintain existing services and recreation facilities so our children have safe places to play, but we also must live within our financial means. If re-elected, I will continue to make sound budgeting a top priority.
“I have also been a strong advocate of responsible development. We cannot prevent all construction, but we should ensure it fits into our suburban landscape and does not negatively impact us. For the past year, I have had the opportunity to help shape the scope of proposed developments in Manalapan directly by serving as a member of the Planning Board.
“My wife and I both grew up in Monmouth County. We married and moved to Manalapan in 2011. I graduated from Rutgers University and Boston University School of Law. For more than a decade, I’ve been a commercial litigation attorney with McCarter & English.
“As I promised when I campaigned three years ago, whenever I decide how to vote on municipal issues, I always place Manalapan’s best interests above all else. I have worked hard during my term to ensure Manalapan continues to earn its motto of ‘a great place to live.’ I hope residents will place their faith in me again and re-elect me to the Township Committee,” Kane said.