Republican Tom Critelli, Democrat Barbara Singer and independent candidate Lea Shave are campaigning for a chance to claim a single open seat on the Holmdel Township Committee.
The winner of the Nov. 6 general election will serve a three-year term on the governing body from January 2019 through December 2021.
Critelli has served on the Township Committee since 2012 and is serving as Holmdel’s mayor for 2018. Professionally, Critelli said he owns several businesses.
Asked what accomplishments he could cite from his current term that he would like residents to be aware of, Critelli said he oversaw a zero percent municipal tax increase in 2018. He said the committee hired three full-time law enforcement officers and included armed security officers in Holmdel’s public schools.
Critelli, the Republican candidate, said he oversaw the “largest paving program in local streets history” and installed “Welcome to Holmdel” signs throughout the 18-square-mile municipality.
He said if he is re-elected, he will work to improve parks and recreation facilities. He said he will strive to make enhancements to fire safety, continue infrastructure improvements, and implement a JCP&L power reliability program.
Critelli is the vice president of the Holmdel Youth Activities Association and a chairman on the St. Catharine’s picnic committee. He said he is a travel baseball coach, a eucharistic minister at St. Catharine’s Church and a member of the Cross Farms Park advisory committee.
Singer, when asked why she was running for office, said, “Our Township Committee needs a representative who is truly open to resident feedback and actively responsive to their concerns, one who can effectively work toward compromises that ultimately benefit the town as a whole.
“We need active representation on internal town-wide issues such as fire protection and finances, as well as on issues that affect all our residents, such as dealing with utility company proposals. In the last few years, our township had multiple lawsuits brought against it by residents who were clearly not receiving satisfactory services and representation.
“Residents have been misled regarding firehouse activity and with respect to proposals for multi-story high-density housing. Both issues stemmed from years of lack of planning,” said Singer, who is the Democratic candidate.
Asked what she would like to accomplish as a member of the governing body, Singer said, “My goals would be to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and transparency, as we address issues and as we move forward with chosen initiatives.
“A business improvement district and a committee to oversee the funding of small resident-driven projects would be on my list of initiatives. If we work diligently to resolve the ad hoc issues that arise in normal governance, we will certainly have time to forge ahead with initiatives that give Holmdel that warm small-town feel,” she said.
Singer is an attorney. She is the president of the Holmdel High School Parent Teacher Student Organization and a volunteer with Girl Scouts.
Shave, when asked why she was running, said, “I first became involved in Holmdel politics about 10 years ago when I began regularly attending Township Committee meetings. I realized how little I knew of how our local government worked and I wanted to gain an understanding of the decision-making process behind the major issues that affect Holmdel and its residents.
“Through the years, I have seen a very noticeable shift in priorities and think a voice that is neither politically motivated or beholden to an ‘agenda’ is needed. There are some extremely important decisions looming which will permanently impact Holmdel’s financial, educational and physical landscapes. Now more than ever, Holmdel needs a voice from a representative without an agenda and whose sole concern is the welfare of Holmdel’s residents,” she said.
Shave, the independent candidate, said that as a committeewoman, “My goals would be to establish more transparency; offer tax relief and rebates with the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) revenue being generated by Bell Works; work toward the best affordable housing solution for Holmdel by focusing on the impact to Holmdel and not the profit to developers; enforce stricter zoning regulations to combat the rampant recent development of Holmdel; and work collaboratively with the (Holmdel School District Board of Education) to re-establish Holmdel’s reputation for educational excellence.”
Shave is the Senior Manager of Walk MS for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She said she helped establish the Beacon of Hope food pantry and supply donation drop-off center in Hazlet following superstorm Sandy.
