By Stephen Appezzato
In our continuing coverage of the general election Nov. 7, The Two River Times reached out to candidates in our coverage area to get their perspective on effective governance and the impact voting can have on a community.
Each week until the election we will highlight local candidates’ responses to the following question:
Voter turnout during off-year elections – those without a presidential or midterm race – is notoriously low. Why are local elections (for municipal and county seats) so important and what is the best way to boost voter turnout during an off-year election?
This week includes answers from candidates in the race for county commissioner. Candidates are listed alphabetically with their party affiliation noted.
To learn more about your local candidates and their views on issues facing your community and to check your voter registration status or register to vote, visit vote411.org.
Responses have been lightly edited for style and to fit the allotted space.
The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners governs the county. The board serves as the level of government between the municipal and state levels. Five commissioners are elected for three-year terms on a staggered basis. A director of the board, who presides over board activities and meetings, is selected by the commissioners in January each year. Current board members are Thomas Arnone (director), Susan Kiley (deputy director), Lillian Burry, Nick DiRocco and Ross Licitra, all Republicans.
After 53 years of public service and six terms as a commissioner, Burry has decided not to run for reelection, leaving her seat up for grabs. Licitra’s term expires at the end of this year; he is running for reelection. The other candidates for the two open seats are Republican Erik Anderson, current mayor of Shrewsbury Borough, and Democrats Alison DeNoia and Arthur Schlossbach.
Erik Anderson (R): “Unfortunately, off-year elections tend to have the lowest voter turnout of all elections. These elections are very important as voters are selecting state, county and local officials who are responsible for creating and implementing policies that impact their everyday lives. In Monmouth County, the Board of Commissioners are responsible for protecting and expanding our great park system, overseeing emergency services, maintaining infrastructure, supporting our top-notch schools and ensuring that social services are available for those in need.
It is imperative that our residents get to the polls and vote for candidates who dedicate their time and energy to make Monmouth County such a great place to live, raise our families and play. Voting has never been easier. There are three safe and secure ways to vote – Vote By Mail, early voting and voting at the polls on Election Day. Make a plan not only for yourself to vote by Nov. 7 but encourage your friends and family to cast their votes, too. This year’s election is just as important as any other election!”
Alison DeNoia (D) and Arthur Schlossbach (D) chose to answer the question together: “Local and county elections have more of a say in our lives than any other election. These off-year elections get the least attention and have the most impact on our daily lives. Our roads, schools, towns and counties all impact the day-to-day in our lives. This is why local elections are so important. At Monmouth Rising, we believe the best way to get to voters is to meet them where they are and talk to them. Arthur and I are knocking on doors and meeting constituents, learning about their needs and concerns on this campaign trail. We are attending meet-and-greets with communities all over the county and making inroads in this off-year election.”
Ross Licitra (R): “For most people in Monmouth County they go about their day without too much thought about politics or their local government. They proceed to do their daily routine and are accustomed to the infrastructure that surrounds them that makes life in this county so pleasurable. One of the key components of making life here in Monmouth County so enriched are our government services and the elected officials who govern. The beauty of our parks, emergency services, thousands of roads and bridges, social services for those in need, our educational systems and many other programs and policies are rendered by your local and county officials.
Voting is the most important and powerful tool that a person can possess to either make change or maintain what already exists. Your elected local and county officials give so much of their own personal time to help make our communities what they are. Mail-in-ballots, early voting locations have made it even easier to vote. So, please vote, and call your friends and relatives and tell them that this election is as important as any other election and as Americans and New Jerseyans we all need to do our part in keeping life here in Monmouth County so great! My running mate, Shrewsbury Borough Mayor Erik Anderson and I are the right team to continue the tradition of excellence in county government.”
The article originally appeared in the October 12 – 18, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
