Reporting By Stephen Appezzato, JF Grodeska And Sunayana Prabhu
In continuing coverage of the upcoming General Election Nov. 8, The Two River Times reached out to candidates in the Two River area to get a perspective on effective leadership, asking each nominee the same question:
The national political stage is fraught with partisan-based divisive rhetoric and animosity. In some municipalities this is emulated on the local level, as well. Everyone seems to have chosen sides, and this makes it tremendously difficult to get things done. Keeping in mind the local nature of your candidacy, how do you plan to overcome this sort of obstructionism and grandstanding if you are elected this November?
Each week until the election we will highlight the responses; this week includes the mayoral races in Fair Haven and Highlands and the town committee races in Holmdel. To learn more about each candidate and their views on issues facing their community, visit onyourballot.vote411.org. Responses have not been edited.
The Fair Haven governing body consists of a mayor and six council members, all of whom are elected at-large during the November general election. Fair Haven is one of 218 municipalities in New Jersey to use the borough form of municipal government, the most common in the state. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term; council members are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government is a “weak mayor/strong council” government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.
This year’s mayoral race sees incumbent Josh Halpern facing off against current council president Christopher Rodriguez. Halpern became mayor in October 2021 when then-Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli abruptly resigned. Rodriguez’s council term expires in 2023.
Josh Halpern (R – incumbent)
“It is unfortunate that national politics, and their media coverage, are so explosive and divisive. At the local level, it is counterproductive to let that noise become a distraction to the work on our plates. My personal view is to focus on Fair Haven and to reject divisiveness in favor of building community.
To that end, I set a policy in February of this year to eschew proposed “resolutions” that simply bring national issues into local chambers. Because we are elected as Mayor and Council to spend and manage local tax dollars within our budget, I find resolutions, however well-intended, to be both distracting and potentially divisive, with no substantive output. I am proud of this new precedent. In fact, months later, when a gun-control resolution was brought forth, the result was exactly as I expected. The community was torn apart on social media, with emotion and vitriol that I’ve never previously witnessed. My personal feelings on issues of this kind do not come into play when I make decisions for the good of the Borough. Since then, I have turned down additional resolutions from both sides of the aisle and have remained consistent in my approach. What is important is keeping the focus on Fair Haven. En- suring we are being fiscally responsible with our tax reve- nue, addressing our roads and infrastructure, and looking for improvements on services such as leaf and brush pick up are just a few ways we can be truly effective in the day- to-day lives of our residents. As I walk door-to-door speak- ing with neighbors, I am hearing a consistent message of appreciation for bringing a sense of calm and community to our town; it’s what we all needed in 2022 and will likely need for many years to come.”
Christopher Rodriguez (D)
“I agree that national level politics feels more divisive than ever, but I believe this feeling is exacerbated by a proliferation of hyper-specialized channels of media. In reality, it’s not the rhetoric or fervent passion for a particular position that has changed much, rather it’s the loss of basic civility between Americans through their discourse. It is through these hyper-specific channels that any voice can find an audience, whether they are qualified or even fact-based. Distinguishing fact from fiction has become more difficult with the advances in technology and the variety of mediums to communicate.
In Fair Haven, we have been able to maintain our civility throughout our community. I have as many friends that are across the aisle as I do in my own party. I find that I call on the opinions and advice of my neigh- bors based on their expertise and life experiences and not based on party. Over the six years I’ve served on council, I have successfully sponsored resolutions and ordinanc- es with all members of the governing body regardless of political affiliation because it advanced the community. I expect that level of collegial productivity to persist.
If this sort of obstructionism and grandstanding leaks into our governing body, I will do what the voters would expect of any of us, to put Fair Haven above any political tactics. Simply put, we will discuss the topics in a public forum, weigh the validity and value to the borough and cast votes that align with the great good over near-term political gain. I have been unyielding in my approach over the years and will remain true to form when elected to be the mayor of Fair Haven.”
The article originally appeared in the October 13 – 19, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
