Reporting by Stephen Appezzato, JF Grodeska and Sunayana Prabhu
In the run-up to 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 races in Fair Haven and Atlantic Highlands. 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.
Atlantic Highlands
The borough is governed by a mayor and six-member council. Current Mayor Loretta Gluckstein is not running for reelection. Current council President Lori Hohenleitner is vying for the seat against current council member James Murphy. Additionally, two full-term council seats are up for grabs by four candidates: Jon Crowley, a Democrat and current council member; Democrat Alyson Forbes; Republican Ellen O’Dwyer Woods; and Republican Arthur V. Whitehead.
Mayoral Race
Lori Hohenleitner (D): “Local elections matter because local government matters. The people we elect to represent us at Borough Hall have an impact on so many aspects of our daily lives. To me, the best way to boost turnout is to offer a clear vision for the future of our community that gets people excited and inspired to get to the polls and be part of the process. In the years I have served on the council, I have spent time listening to residents and following up with them on what matters to them, and this relationship-building has translated into so many new initiatives. I have every confidence that our Atlantic Highlands neighbors will exceed low turnout expectations and between early voting, vote by mail, and in-person day of election voting will show how invested and engaged they are in our community.”
James P. Murphy (R): “Local elections are extremely important, as they are an opportunity for citizens to create change, preserve what they love, and prevent what they don’t. They determine our immediate day-to-day, what we can and can’t do in our “hometown” – where we can park, play, or how much we will have to pay for what we have and want.
We get to choose not just a friend or neighbor, but a leader with the best intentions for our families, businesses, and ecosystem. The local governing body must represent not only the town but the community and the direction of its future, its values, and from the perspective of being residents themselves.
Local elections are the voice of the people, and an opportunity to make a difference. The more of us that understand that everything we have, love, and desire for our community, depends on our vote, the better the chances of keeping Atlantic Highlands as amazing as it’s always been.
Voters need to be informed, reminded, and reminded again to cast their vote. Election Day is no longer a one-day event. It is so easy to vote by mail and vote early that voter turnout is really a matter of having the voters CARE about who is elected to the governing body.
The best way to boost voter turnout is to educate voters on what issues the community is facing, and what the implications are of certain decisions made by those on the dais. We need to know which candidates are best suited for the job. Which have relevant experience and skills? Which will do what’s right for Atlantic Highlands?”
Council Race
Jon Crowley (D): “Getting to the polls these days isn’t easy – especially as we’re all being pushed and pulled in a variety of different directions (kids, school, work, etc.), but the biggest enticement for casting your vote in November is knowing that you are placing a person in office who will serve as the best advocate on your town’s council. The work on the local level never stops (road and infrastructure improvements, etc.) and neither does your need for someone to serve as your voice in city hall. They say “Every vote counts” and so does every election.”
Alyson Forbes (D): “If you want to make change in your community, voting in your local elections is key. The folks who serve in municipal and county seats are the folks who have a deep understanding of their community and how to best serve it. This understanding results in change that you can see day-to-day, change that actively impacts your quality of life. Even when voter turnout isn’t ‘notoriously low,’ as you put it, even a handful of additional voters can do so much to make a difference in the outcome of a local election. Because of this, it’s critical to utilize every opportunity to work with folks to get
them registered to vote and to make sure residents know when and where to vote and why it matters. The best way to do that is by getting out into the community: knocking on doors, sharing information, talking to people about the importance of participating in the process, reminding folks about when elections are taking place, and organizing transportation. I think of these efforts as community organizing rather than a campaign. Win or lose, I want folks to participate in the democratic process by voting in every election, and I do what I can to help make that happen.”
Arthur V. Whitehead (R): “Local elections are the heartbeat of every community. Many times it is more crucial because of the impact of day-to-day operations in your town. Council elections are an opportunity to balance councils that are represented by too many of one party. A council of diversified parties is healthy because they can represent more efficiently the many people in town and not be biased in their decision-making or caught up in national politics. A balanced council is a council that can move the town forward and make it strong. Every person needs to vote to let their voices be heard and they need to know the people that are running for office and make sure they care about families, safety, what is happening with taxes, infrastructure, and how they communicate with the people in their town. Candidates with agendas that do not put townspeople first are dangerous and usually have ambitions that go beyond the town they’re running in. Know the people you’re voting for locally and do not let federal issues affect the way you vote in local elections. Local issues are what should drive your decision-making. The best way to boost voter turnout is through personal contact, social media, and word of mouth.”
Ellen O’Dwyer Woods (R): “Voters must put the best TEAM in place to conduct the business of the municipality, its day-to-day operations, and maintain financial solvency. A candidate’s political party becomes less important when their focus is on Atlantic Highlands, and not their national agendas/issues.
Voters do not appreciate the power of their single vote, only exercising it for a major race, allowing their neighbors to decide locally. Many assume that the business administrator can keep things moving along, and with proper protocols, and we can rely on borough experts, attorneys, planners, engineers, etc. who can advise on the best course of action, and even do hands-on work.
Know all you can about a candidate, including their background, education, and their ties to Atlantic Highlands. What are their views on families, public safety, maintaining/improving infrastructure, and education? How are they likely to vote about an upcoming issue, and more importantly, why? How do they work interpersonally? Are they open-minded in discussions or insistent on one way? Atlantic Highlands has an imbalance on the dais of five Democrats and one Republican which has already resulted in reduced communication to the public, moving ordinances and resolutions forward with little opportunity for counterarguments or public questions, and resulting in weak ordinances needing rework.
We must encourage voters to think beyond the labels of a political party, and ensure we have the optimal, balanced team on the dais focused on Atlantic Highlands and not higher-level politics. Those are the ones who will protect our community, its people, and its surroundings for the good of all, and through a healthy collaborative dynamic focused on the well-being and longevity of Atlantic Highlands.”
Fair Haven
The governing body of Fair Haven consists of a mayor and six council members. The council is comprised of Mayor Josh Halpern, currently serving a full four-year term through 2026 and council members serving two-year terms: Elizabeth Koch (2024), Tracy Cole (2024), Kristen Hoey (2025), Andrew “Drew” LaBarbera (2025), Laline Neff (2023) and Christopher Rodriguez (2023).
Neither Neff nor Rodriguez chose to run again; the four candidates vying for the two open council seats are Democrats Michal DiMicelli and Neil Blecher and Republicans Melissa Lowry and Brian Olson. Here are their responses:
Neil Blecher (D): “Voting – especially in local elections – is our opportunity to be heard and allows us to hold elected officials accountable. In many cases, local elections are decided by very small margins, so it is exceedingly important that everyone’s voice be heard.
I am running for Fair Haven Council to provide every- one in Fair Haven with a voice. As a Councilmember, I will represent ALL of Fair Haven. I am passionate about preserving and maintaining what makes Fair Haven great while focusing on areas that need improvement.
A major focus of mine will be making Fair Haven a safer community by partnering with local, county, state, and Federal officials to find solutions that keep Fair Haven streets safe for children, pedestrians, bicycles, and drivers.
I will also make Fair Haven a more resourceful community by leveraging my skills as an attorney to analyze budgets and revenue streams and simplifying processes, including capitalizing on grant funding opportunities.
I am uniquely qualified to manage the complexities of municipal governance and to make Fair Haven safer and more resilient.
My running mate, Michal DiMiceli, and I are working tirelessly to boost voter turnout for the upcoming election. We are walking the streets of Fair Haven to understand our neighbors’ concerns, we are hosting “meet and greets” with our potential constituents and we volunteered to participate in the League of Women Voters of Monmouth County Candidates Forum.
I will work with the entire Fair Haven community to bring fresh ideas, open-mindedness, and balance to our town.”
Michal DiMiceli (D): “Local elections are extremely important. Municipal and county officials make the decisions that affect our families’ day-to-day lives. They determine priorities and how tax dollars are spent; they adopt policies and ordinances; and they set the overall tone for leadership in our towns and counties. This year’s election in Fair Haven is crucial toward maintaining balance within our local government – with a diversity of voices at the table, and a governing body that accurately reflects our values.
Fair Haven is a special town with a tight-knit community, and I am running for council in order to give back to the place and the people who have bestowed so much upon myself and my family. My running mate, Neil Blecher, and I are engaging with our neighbors, listening to what is most important to them, and understanding the pressing issues affecting Fair Haven. We are knocking on doors, hosting gatherings for all ages, and spreading our message through digital and local print media.
I am an active volunteer in Fair Haven through the Environmental Commission and Green Team, and I have 25 years of business expertise, along with experience in municipal government for the City of Long Branch. I am confident in my qualifications to deliver results and effect positive change that works for ALL of Fair Haven. I will hit the ground running as
a council member, taking a holistic, informed, and balanced approach to governing while focusing on safety, sustainability, and efficient & effective management of our resources.”
Melissa J. Lowry (R): “Local municipalities such as Fair Haven make important decisions that affect our daily lives and our community, making local elections incredibly impactful to the daily lives of residents. Voting in local elections allows individuals to have a say in shaping key decisions, which are often implemented with great efficiency. These decisions include how municipal tax dollars are allocated, the prioritization of infrastructure projects, day-to-day management of borough staff and services, and partnering with local police and fire to ensure the town’s safety. Given the high taxes New Jersey residents already pay, it is so important to make these decisions while maintaining a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
With regard to boosting voter turnout in this off-year election, Brian and I have been walking door-to-door to meet residents and encourage them to vote. We’ve hosted several meet-and-greet events and will continue to do so right up through Election Day. It’s important for us to listen to our neighbors’ thoughts and concerns and to let them learn more about us. We continue to remind residents of the many ways to vote in our conversations as well as on Facebook (@Lowry and Olson for Fair Haven), by email and by text. Mail-in ballots are on their way and early voting begins Oct. 28 at The Little Silver Woman’s Club, giving people many opportunities to vote now through Election Day at the Church of the Nativity.”
Brian W. Olson (R): “Local government serves as the closest layer of governance to citizens, making decisions that directly impact our day-to-day lives. While local politicians may not enjoy the same fame and recognition as their national counterparts, they are the decision-makers who shape our immediate environment. Unlike national figures with motorcades and ceremonies, local leaders work quietly, often with no pay, to address the everyday concerns of their constituents. Voting for local leadership in Fair Haven is a means of ensuring that our residents have a say in shaping the community.
The American republic, with its enduring resilience, is the envy of the world. Every vote cast isn’t just for a person; it’s a pledge to safeguard our cherished democratic process and system. Voting becomes the means by which you articulate your cultural and policy inclinations, ensuring your voice resonates in the political discourse.
When Melissa and I canvas Fair Haven to speak with voters, we remind them that their voice is amplified most effectively in local elections, where voter turnout is often lower. It is a chance to influence closely contested races and steer the course of the town, school district, and county. Voter participation can shape the future of the community in a profound way. So, as Election Day approaches, remember that your vote isn’t merely a civic duty; it’s an opportunity to actively engage in shaping the community. It is our hope that Fair Haven voters will come out strong to vote for the Lowry and Olson team!”
The article originally appeared in the September 28 – October 4, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
