The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question: Dear Mayor,

I would appreciate your insight and your ingenuity in helping me. I am 71 years old, handicapped from multiple falls, and accidents, and have difficulty standing, and walking for any length of time. I have to renew my driver’s license and the agency will not let me do it online.

Following the corona crisis, the lines there are so extensive that only those that go there in the evening and stay overnight on the line in the dark, can get in the next day. This happened to my own grandson who slept in the parking lot all night, to get a license renewal.

How can we make this situation easier for the seniors of Lakewood, New Jersey. There’s no way that I can go there and stand all day or sit in a wheel chair and sleep there overnight, as a woman and as an elderly citizen. Is there anything you can do to provide an easier service for seniors. Perhaps a longer extension, or temporary extension , as the agency is having tremendous difficulty processing thousands of applications that they have, with no consideration for the disabled.

Thank you for your help, and for any insight you may have to help me, and the fellow seniors who share in this difficulty. Please give us hope. Perhaps there is a senior citizen advocate that you may be able to share this letter with for help.

Sincerely, and all the best,

Response from Mayor Coles: Good morning,

I just spoke with the Governor’s office about the problems at the MVC. He indicated that they will begin mobile MVC services as early as next week. He did not have a lot of information but indicated that they would come to various locations such as adult communities and other areas to help residents who may have problems getting to an MVC office. I asked if they could possibly institute special hours for our senior citizens and disabled residents, similar to the way many supermarkets have set aside time to help vulnerable populations. He said they would consider this. I will make sure their plans are well publicized as soon as they finalize them.

I also want to take a moment to thank our Police Department, Public Works , OEM and Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller for all the hours they spent at the MVC in Lakewood this week, letting our residents know what was going on, obtaining forms for them to fill out while waiting on line and making sure they had something to eat and drink.

Ray

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