See below for a statement from the Lakewood Vaad for both Republicans and Democrats:

[CLICK HERE FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOTICE AND HERE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOTICE]

Urgent Election Notice 

If you are a registered republican, or independent/unaffiliated, it is crucial that you turn out and VOTE in the Republican Primary

Note: The Primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election on the Republican line. If you are registered as unaffiliated/independent, you can choose to vote in the Republican Primary at your polling place (and change your affiliation).

Primary elections tend to have low turnout, which can lead to unqualified candidates pulling off upset wins. It is crucial that every eligible voter shows up to the polls and votes for the qualified candidates.

Republican Primary: We strongly support the entire Row C

Endorsements Explained:

Township Committee – We warmly endorse current Committeeman Mike D’Elia and his running mate Mike Berman. Both are longstanding Lakewood activists who understand our community and have served us faithfully in various public service roles. In addition to being a reliable ally on the Township Committee, Mike D’Elia has been a leader in the Lakewood Fire Department for decades, where he has warmly welcomed members of our community into the force.

County Freeholder – Joe Vicari has been serving as County Freeholder for over 30 years and has proven himself to be a true friend of the Kehilla. Please note that the County is the primary address for the social services that help needy yechidim and mishpochos (WIC, HUD certification, Food Stamps, HEAP, NJ Family Care). The Freeholders have long demonstrated compassion and sensitivity overseeing the County Medical Examiner’s office and in protecting our Kehilla through the County’s OEM services.

State Assembly and Senate – The team of Bob Singer, Sean Kean and David Rible have ably represented us in Trenton on multiple issues. Last year, they were crucial to the implementation of the heavily opposed school bussing deal, which saved bussing for thousands of Lakewood’s Yeshiva and Bais Yaakov students. They have also advocated boldly for increased State funding for the Lakewood School District.

Governor – Kim Guadagno, the current Lt. Governor is no stranger to Lakewood. She has visited our Mosdos, participated in our economic development and shares our Kehilla’s family values. She is warm and accessible, a true friend. The Lt. Governor has specifically committed to helping our school district with proper funding and to expand eligibility for state grants to more of our Yeshiva Gedolos – which would significantly alleviate the heavy tuition burden our parents shoulder.

Important Note Concerning the Township Committee Race:

It is a lot easier to criticize than to govern.

Committeeman Mike D’Elia has a strong and proven record of achieving real positive results, with the best interests of Lakewood in mind.

While on the Committee, Mike has helped accomplish an amazing feat by keeping the municipal tax rate flat for several consecutive years, despite Lakewood’s growth and marked improvements in policing, quality of life, trash collection and snow plowing. He and his running mate are committed to prevent any tax hikes during the upcoming term in office as well.

Committeeman D’Elia has worked with his colleagues to increase the supply of housing to accommodate our families, while placing an ever-increasing focus on minimizing the negative aspects of overdevelopment. Mike recognizes the increase of traffic in various locations, and is committed to add and expand roads, and improve traffic patterns, throughout Lakewood. Many of these infrastructure improvement projects are already near completion, while others are in the advanced lobbying and planning stages.

Among our greatest assets in the effort to improve infrastructure and reduce traffic are the longstanding positive, trusting relationships that Mike and his running mate enjoy with County and State officials, who have jurisdiction over some of Lakewood’s most congested roads. Experience, goodwill and respect throughout the community are necessary in order to continue making real progress, just as we’ve made progress on other difficult issues that were previously believed to be impossible to achieve. The endorsed team is committed to work incessantly towards that goal.

Regrettably, there is a vocal effort by several unqualified candidates to divide the Kehilla – and, by extension, diminish the power of our united bloc vote. They are running a negative and misleading campaign that besmirches both the good intentions and solid records of the Kehilla’s steadfast friends, including Mike D’Elia. We cannot allow this to succeed, as it would diminish our community’s electoral and lobbying clout, and burn bridges with so many officials whose goodwill and assistance we’ve earned.  

Mike and Mike have been consistently accessible, helpful and effective – and they look forward to the united support of our Kehilla as they work to advance the interests of our families. They most certainly deserve our support. 

Polls are open Tuesday from 6am to 8pm. For any individual voter issues please contact the Vaad Hotline 732-961-1161. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Lakewood Vaad

and Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewski

—————————–

Urgent Election Notice 

This coming Tuesday, June 6, is Primary Election Day.

If you are a registered democrat, it is crucial that you turn out and VOTE for in the democratic primary

Note: The Primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election on the Democratic line.

Primary elections tend to have low turnout, which can lead to unqualified candidates pulling off upset wins. It is crucial that every registered voter shows up to the polls and votes for the qualified candidates.

Democratic Primary: We strongly support Ray Coles and Moshe Raitzik for Township Committee

Endorsements Explained:

Township Committee – We strongly endorse the current Mayor and Township Committeeman Ray Coles and his running mate Moshe Raitzik. Ray is a real Mentch who had dedicated over twenty years of his life to public service in Lakewood, and has been a particular champion of the NJ HAND/Lakewood Commons affordable housing project, which is now in its fourth successful phase. His friendship to all of Lakewood’s residents, and his outstanding record as a real friend of the Kehilla deserve our unequivocal support. Moshe has likewise successfully served the Kehilla in multiple roles, including as a beloved mechanech, and joins Ray for our endorsement.

Special Note Concerning the Township Committee Endorsements:

It is a lot easier to criticize than to govern.

Mayor Ray Coles has a strong and proven record of achieving real positive results, with the best interests of Lakewood in mind.

While on the Committee, Ray has helped accomplish an amazing feat by keeping the municipal tax rate flat for several consecutive years, despite Lakewood’s growth and marked improvements in policing, quality of life, trash collection and snow plowing. He and his running mate Moshe Raitzik are committed to prevent any tax hikes during the upcoming term in office as well.

Mayor Coles has worked with his colleagues to increase the supply of housing to accommodate our families, while placing an ever-increasing focus on minimizing the negative aspects of overdevelopment. Ray recognizes the increase of traffic in various locations, and is committed to add and expand roads, and improve traffic patterns, throughout Lakewood. Many of these infrastructure improvement projects are already near completion, while others are in the advanced lobbying and planning stages.

Among our greatest assets in the effort to improve infrastructure and reduce traffic are the longstanding positive, trusting relationships that Ray and his running mate enjoy with County and State officials, who have jurisdiction over some of Lakewood’s most congested roads. Experience, goodwill and respect throughout the community are necessary in order to continue making real progress, just as we’ve made progress on other difficult issues that were previously believed to be impossible to achieve. The endorsed ticket is committed to work incessantly towards that goal.

Regrettably, there is a vocal effort by several unqualified candidates to divide the Kehilla – and, by extension, diminish the power of our united bloc vote. They are running a negative and misleading campaign that besmirches both the good intentions and solid records of the Kehilla’s steadfast friends, including Ray Coles. We cannot allow this to succeed, as it would diminish our community’s electoral and lobbying clout, and burn bridges with so many officials whose goodwill and assistance we’ve earned.  

Ray and Moshe have been consistently accessible, helpful and effective – and they look forward to the united support of our Kehilla as they work to advance the interests of our families. They most certainly deserve our support. 

Polls are open Tuesday from 6am to 8pm. For any individual voter issues please contact the Vaad Hotline 732-961-1161. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Lakewood Vaad

and Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewski