UPDATED: As Rumors Of Bob Singer Pulling Out Of Race Swirl, BOE Member Carl Fink Considers Position
FIRST REPORT: Over the last 48 hours, TLS has been closely following the rumors of Senator and Committeeman Bob Singer pulling out of the race, which is yet to be confirmed. One of the options being considered as a replacement for Singer’s ballot, is BOE member Carl Fink. Other members of the community as well, were asked to take Singer’s spot on the ballot, but have rejected it. Moments ago, TLS has received the following statement from BOE Carl Fink regarding the recent developments:
“Now that it has been “leaked” to the press, albeit in a cowardly fashion [Editor's note: TLS has not released the rumors until now], I would like to announce that I was indeed approached by individuals in the community and asked to replace Senator Singer in the upcoming election. I have not yet given a final answer, and am contemplating the move. I consulted with some LAC members and senior community representatives.”
“The consensus was that based on my performance on the planning board and the Board of Education my candidacy would be of benefit to the Town. Isaac Ackerman is an exceptional candidate, and if I decided not to run then I would fully support Isaac. It was with this in mind that I am contemplating jumping in. I think a fresh mind with no favors owed to anyone would be appreciated.”
“I am an independent thinker and have proven such over the past 5 years on both the planning board and the BOE. I owe nothing to anyone. Together with other LAC members we have accomplished a zero increase, fair planning board practices, multi vendor approach, etc. Should I decide to join the race for Committee, I will be the same free thinker. I will not be beholden to any group whatsoever.”
“It seems that some in the Orthodox community are bent on a fight at all costs. Even if victory is not definite, a fight is worth more than victory. My candidacy would be about helping this town unite for the betterment of all. Nothing to do with the LAC, the Vaad, or any other group.”
“I would like to reiterate that I have not made a final decision, and that decision will be based on what I feel is best for my family and this town. Nobody else will make that decision for me.”
As it stands now, Bob Singer is to run against Democratic Candidate Marta Harrison and Independent Candidate Isaac Akerman in the November 3rd elections.
This shocking news comes after the Committeeman won the Republican primary elections by a mere 550 votes on June 8th, over Republican candidate Hershel Herskowitz.
Bob Singer has been on the Township Committee for 29 years, and currently holds a dual position, the other being his seat in the Senate. The dual position holding in NJ has become illegal in 2002, but Singer has been grandfathered in prior to the 2002 law.
8:00 a.m. It has been confirmed that Singer will drop out of the race. Details will be posted soon.
Stay with TLS as we bring you the latest devolpments as they happen.
There are 96 Comments to "UPDATED: As Rumors Of Bob Singer Pulling Out Of Race Swirl, BOE Member Carl Fink Considers Position"
Go carl, you are the best.
They realized Singer stands no chance against an Independent?! WOW!
Akerman is our real hope, carl you were on BOE for 5 years and all you can say for your accomplishments is zero increase budget which everyone knows is a farce. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and dont run
Carl is on the BOE for 4 months not 5 years and YES he already accomplished a zero percent increase by reducing the budget by 7 million.
Fink against Akerman? That would certainly divide the communities- could be scary!
singer u did a great job standing down!!!!!!
Carl should join the committee!
Carl Fink hasn’t been on any board for more than 2 years. He is also beholden to the LAC as he himself hints to in his article.
Why is he taking credit for all of Seitler’s hard work?
he is a great guy
He is on the Planning Board for over 4 yeas. Check your facts.
Let’s see if Bob actually backs out. Now that he cannot claim it is because of dual office, but rather because he is scared of losing, he may decide to stay in and fight.
Bob,
It is time for you to move over and let people with a clean slate to move in……
Smart move Bs woulve lost to AA in a landslide!
Why cant Bob give his seat to Akerman????? I think that the other incumbents in the township should step aside with honor as well and give their seats to people who can LOWER our taxes
Bob, About time you realize what the majority of American’s will do in this election…. Vote all the Politicians who raised our taxes out of office. The tax increases in our town while the rateables has skyrocketed is unforgiveable
They better not rename the Blue claws stadium to the Robert Singer stadium even though he was the one who put the stadium up
This is a bittersweet victory. Had he stepped aside years ago our property taxes would have been alot lower
Why does everyone blame Bob?? What about the other committee members who raised our taxes
You get you’re facts straight. This is his 2nd year on the planning board.
Carl Fink is definitely not the right choice. Can’t lakewood realize that we have a great candidate in, akerman?!
Only those capable of lowering taxes should be in office. I really enjoyed what Carl wrote
“It was with this in mind that I am contemplating jumping in. I think a fresh mind with no favors owed to anyone would be appreciated.”
Why do we keep on voting in the same politicans who owe alot of people favors? Go Carl Go
Why is nobody giving credit to the guy that started all of this? He was put in by the LAC. They are just going to be the same problem like before. Why is hh being quiet about all of this?
The oilem should not get side tracked, Akerman is the guy like the letter writer writes, I owe nothing to anyone. Akerman owes nothing to anyone, unlike fink who owes a lot to the LAC
The Oilam here would throw a Kiddush that Bob’s leaving the Township even though Bob promised us a Kiddush for 29 years we never got one. At the end of the day Westgates taxes went up about $2,000 per house so Bob doesn’t belong in office anyway.
Its the economy stupid!!! Anyone who isn’t able to lower taxes should be shown the door.
Carl Fink is nothing more than a stepping stone for (moderated) and Co. to gain influence in the Township. They have proven themselves to be flip flopping politicians with no real backbone or ideals. They will tell anybody what they want to hear to gain power. We need people on our committee that care about improving the town, not advancing for financial gain, and stature. Carl Fink did not write this statement, it was written by (moderated) himself (Carl would never use the word albeit). Dear Mr. Fink, these are your golden years, enjoy them, but not on the Township Committee.
Why is there no talk about the guy that caused all of this? Let’s face it if it weren’t for hershkowitz there would still be bob. Are any of these guys going to do what he would have done if he won?
great news. thank you TLS. about time. we need new people i office.
Westgate , 14th, White and Red Oaks, Coventry Square, Raintree, Pretty much everyone had taxes go up with the new tax rate. Who is the next incumbent to go down? bring it on!!!
Why can’t Bob give Seitler his seat? Seitler is the guy lowering taxes around town
If what you wrote is true it is Great News!!!
Seitler has a great thing going on the Boe with you as his sidekick. Don’t mess it up for A committee run.
Even if Carl loses this year he will beat Langert next year and we will start having LAC members on the comittee.
We are headed nowhere in a hurry.
Harold ?!
vote democrate
Without the LAC. The issue of taxes would not have ever made it to the forefront. Go LAC go.
carl is a senior
I strongly feel the need for a Vad of Impartial rabbonim that will guide us and direct us in these issues.
Through out history elections and alliances where always decided through the Rabonim of the generation.
heard vaad asked bob not to run
is the lac trying to be the new vaad
Akerman is the man we need in office.
seems silly to have 2 candidates favorable to the olom to split the vote.
Can’t one bow out in favor of the other ?
if singer steps down the next candidate is Hershel Heskovits – Go Hershel!
The LAC is putting up Carl Fink to run because they want someone whom they can depend on (moderated) versus Ackerman who will work for the Klal!!!
I was thinking the same thing. If this guy cares at all about our town, he would never challenge his “friend” (as he refers to Mr. Akerman). Leave Mr. Singers seat empty and let’s vote unanimously for one candidate-especially since Mr. Akerman already did the hard part of knocking Singer out.
They screwed 150 kids a day before school started 50 teacher with FAMILYS and now I want him on the township committee are you people crazy or I am??
To alte lakewooder,
Yes we do have a candidate that the oilem likes, his name is Albert Akerman. Everone would stand behind him, who do we need to trow a monkey wrench into this mix. I call on the entire Lakewood Kehila to band together just like brothers do and vote with a single voice for Albert Akerman!
Write in Hamekubal Horav (Moderated-Bezayon of Torah will not be allowed on this site. Thank you for understanding.)
bob singer..please step down..right after the elections..my tax bill in 14th street are went up by 33%…yes 33%. you are doing a DISERVICE 2 lakewood by staying…iy u care about lakewood..step down..our tax rates should go down…i hope the vaad takes a caring to the members ot this community who pay their real estate taxes aswell!! a gut yor
I feel bad. Bob Singer was such a good man. We will miss him..
In the last elections a whopping 70 Percent of the Frum Vote went against Singer. It is obvious that with the split senior vote which went more than 95 Percent for Bob would be split by Bob and Martha Harrison that Bob would LOSE so he did the honorable thing by stepping down
At the moment the only true option is Akerman, someone who’s not going to buckle to all the arm twisting tactics and really work for the klal..
We should celebrate in the Blue Claws stadium. Let’s not forget that the “Poor Township” for reasons known to Singer spent more than $30 Million township dollars to build a stadium in Lakewood while the tax payers receive rent of $25,000 in return which covers about 2 weeks of the stadium maintenance.
Isaac akerman does on the planning bd the correct thing and will continue to do so as a twp committee member
taxes are high in every NJ town. build smaller homes with less sq ft and stop complaing.
vote Akerman
I was planning on voting for Akerman and still will this won’t change my mind
You guys should come to Passaic and see what taxes we pay- and no one says boo in this town! Oilam Goilem!!
why not marta harrison? let’s give her a chance she’s also a landsman and let issac o n BOE
Lakewood needs aisk akerman he’s done a gr8 job on the planning bd.and will do wonderful as a twp. Member a breath of fresh air
Izzack don’t give up!
Marta Harrison had her chance. She was on the Committee for six years (1/1/98-12/31/03). She was the Mayor the year the Blue Claws Stadiun opened. She is responsible for many of the problems we are dealing with now.
Bob unlike so many I do not blame you for all bad things I thank you for all the good things you did I wish you were not stepping down you would have won!
I had called Albert Akermans hotline and left him a message and surprisingly he called me back. We had a pleasant conversation and he came across as a very level headed guy with a strong understanding for the people of this town.
Although I don’t know him personally, but, just from talking with him for a few minutes I felt he would be the right person for this job.
I hope everyone else sees it this way.
I too called Akermans campaign line and got a call back, although I asked him some tuff questions he was very polite and gave me answers to what he had and was very honest and did not try to sell me any lies and told me I don’t have the answer to this one question, I will look into it and get back to you.
This is what I call a real true candidate, someone who is not afraid to say I don’t know, rather than just lie and tell you what you want to hear.
One last thing, whoever thinks that Akerman owes anyone favors has it wrong. He owes no one anything as he proved all these years on the planning board.
Marta Harrison all the way!!!!!
Blue claws ate up all our money due to singer our taxes shot up because of singer.
go independent now
Those comments on Carl Fink are clearly written by LAC
i think that daas torah is not being asked , we are in galus .Why are we getting involved in politics !
carl fink is toing what ever is good for lakewood he is the man
let the lac guys stick to the boe
we need singer!
Two good candidates . This will be a very close election , most people probably just won’t vote .
If Bob cares about Lkwd he should give up his seat to HH ( not sure if HH could be on the ballot though cuz of “Losers Law”) . Lemaisa HH is the one to give credit to , he broke the ice .
We should all group together and get behind Akerman. Let’s get him in so we can see some real changes in this town and maybe bring back some of those good old times.
Bob Singer is mister Lakewood. He has been a friend to all. There is not one segment of the Lakewood population that can say that Bob has not helped. I have not heard from Bob on this issue. If or when he issues a statement, then, and only then will I believe that he will not be our candidate for the Township Committee.
If Bob continues with his campaign, he will prevail. I like Mr. Fink and I like Mr Ackerman. They are both good and decent people that deserve their time in the spotlight. However, Bob is an institution to be honored. He deserves our support if he chooses to continue in the race.
If Bob chooses to step aside of his own accord, it will be a megatrend that will result in the unseating of the rest of the members of the Township Committee.
I am not from Lakewood, but from Montville NJ , and I know Carl Fink , very well. Carl is a man of great character, he is always willing to help in everyway possible to any one in need. He is bright , enthusiastic, and honest. If he feels something is right he will stand up and fight for the truth to be known and heard. In my opinion Carl is an asset to all of the people in Lakewwod.
Ackerman did a great job on the planning board, How? The planning board was the one that allowed the over dense building in this town, look at the new parking lots they call Pine Street, Marc Drive, Washington Street great job planning that one.
This info has yet to be confirmed by Bob. This was leaked to throw a spin to this election. I would suggest not to read into this much and just stand behind the candidate who’s not affiliated with any one group and really wants to change this town VOTE ALBERT AKERMAN!!
All people running for election make “election promises” but do not carry them out once they are in office. May I remind you that many promises were made by Corzine, Christie, & Obama before they were elected. What happened to those promises after they got in office?
PS – In responce to – #
Helen Thomas says: September 6, 2010 at 6:08 pm
why not marta harrison? let’s give her a chance she’s also a landsman and let issac o n BOE
Marta isn’t Jewish.
sounds like someones doing some free campaining for ackerman…or are you part of his election team?
Doesn’t HH have a constitutional right to the place, having the most votes for it?
Did anyone approach Berel and ask him if he’d be willing to take over the spot?
If Bob stepped down, why on earth would Carl Fink come in and cause divide among the people? What’s good for this town? A peaceful election! A little piece and quiet for a change! No Fink, no LAC! Just Ackerman and Harrison! Enough already!
Carl we all know Akerman is the best choice for the town so just stay on the BOE and stay out of this race!!
strangest thing, a candidate saying he would vote for his opponant. . .
Let everyone vote the way he wants its a free country why are some people in town trying to twists peoples arms to vote for their canidate???
Seitlin convince your buddy to stay on the BOE. Let Ackerman do the job on the committee!
is this the same LAC who endorsed corzine?
I’m excited that Bob is leaving!
The town for the first time in how many years had a zero increase to the school budget, why?
look at the make up of the BOE and you will realize it’s different then te planning board.
One more time from the whole kehila.
Thank You Herschel & kesiva Vachasima Tova to all.
Tell me one thing Akerman has done since being on the planning board.
we want Carl Fink to win and take over the country, replace Obama for starters. Carl is a top of the line canidate.