FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Two Democrats and two Republicans are seeking a pair of three-year terms on the Township Committee in Freehold Township this year. Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 6.
Democrats Jenan Agnihotri and Jennie Jeanette Mistretta are seeking the seats that are currently held by Republicans Anthony Ammiano and Thomas Cook. Ammiano and Cook are seeking re-election. They are profiled in a separate article.
Agnihotri is making her first bid for Township Committee. She said she became interested in running for office after becoming involved in a noise and ground water pollution issue being generated from a nearby business.
“Once I experienced the difficulty of fighting for the safety and quality of life of our citizenry, I realized how having a seat at the table could make a difference,” Agnihotri said. “I want to bring a fresh, young perspective to the Township Committee and help our town forge a better, balanced representation.
“I want to ensure that environmental factors are at the forefront of community planning for the safety and welfare of residents. I want to be part of the discussion when decisions are made about how our tax dollars should be spent.
“I would like to understand why taxes are so high in Freehold Township, especially since we have $1.4 billion in commercial and industrial assessments, including New Jersey’s second largest mall which should help offset our property taxes,” she continued.
“Young families and seniors in particular have a difficult time staying in Freehold Township or purchasing a home due to our high property taxes. I want us to explore new approaches to solving this problem,” she said.
Agnihotri is a pediatric dentist and holds a doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry.
“I believe my ability as a health care provider shows I have the skill to analyze facts while integrating a human element into the equation,” she said. “I think this skill can be translated into advocating for constituents here in Freehold Township and protecting our children and families. Having earned a doctorate, I know how to digest facts and figures and analyze outcomes.”
Mistretta is making her fourth bid for Township Committee in Freehold Township. She previously served as a member of the school board in Marlboro and has participated in several volunteer organizations and efforts, including co-chairing the Save Fort Monmouth effort and working with Habitat for Humanity to assist individuals affected by superstorm Sandy.
“I want every citizen in this township to feel they have a voice and a choice in their own community,” Mistretta said. “I believe there are best practices we can entertain in our town in dealing with infrastructure, environment and community participation. There is a disconnect between tax dollars collected and the distribution of township services, especially considering we are home to New Jersey’s second largest shopping mall.”
A real estate professional for 33 years, Mistretta holds a broker’s license and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kean University.
“I have been civically involved all my life, working on behalf of charitable and social causes for the betterment of the community at large,” she said. “I will bring this attitude and passion to serve on the Township Committee.
“I have a deep knowledge of what the local issues are for residential and commercial properties and issues that affect our property values, including environmental, educational and long-term developmental planning. I can bring new vision and transparency with regard to our ratables and distribution of our tax dollars.
“I am a long-time champion of affordable housing. I believe there is a great need for affordable homes for our young families and single adult children, as well as our seniors who want to stay in their homes and live near their offspring, helping care for grandchildren,” she said.
If elected, Agnihotri and Mistretta said they would pursue increasing residents’ participation in local government and work to introduce a shopping program to assist taxpayers and business owners in Freehold Township.
“We would like to initiate participatory budgeting to invite residents to decide how some of their tax dollars are spent,” the Democrats said in a joint statement. “We would like to introduce a ‘Shop Freehold’ program which would save taxpayers on their tax bill and boost local township business revenues. Many nearby towns implemented this program and have enjoyed its success for many years. Let’s catch up.”
Agnihotri and Mistretta said they would seek to reduce fees and regulations for residential and commercial building permits to avoid unduly burdening residents while adhering to standards. The Democrats also expressed addressing growth, traffic and transportation as quality of life issues.
“We want to reign in unbridled growth and take a hard look at traffic congestion and a lack of public transportation,” they said. “We always want environmental factors to be at the forefront of any long-term planning in our township.”
All five seats on the Township Committee are held by Republicans.
