LAKEHURST – Elections in the borough have been uncontested in recent years but the November 7 general election will feature a contest with two write-in candidates facing off against Republican incumbents.
While no Democrats are running this year, long-time GOP Mayor Harry Robbins is up for re-election for a four-year term. Republican Council members Patricia A. Hodges and Robert McCarthy are seeking re-election for three-year terms.
The incumbents are facing a write-in challenge from Crystal Parker who is running for mayor and Brenda Duffy who is seeking a council seat.
The Manchester Times reached out to each of the candidates to learn more about their experience and views on the issues facing Lakehurst. Each were asked the same questions.
Mayor Robbins responded, “I am running for re-election as mayor, because I love our town and I feel that I still have a lot to give. I have been mayor for 12 years and have sat on the governing body since May of 1999.”
He added, “I was instrumental in the building of the EMS building, along with the Police Department and the remodeling of Borough Hall. I have worked years with the State and owners of the property on getting Wawa into town.”
The mayor said he works a full-time job. “I am the Operations Manager for the Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority; the MUA is a water utility. I am a NJ Department of Environmental Protection licensed operator. I have been in the industry since 1981.”
Robbins has lived in Lakehurst “since I married my wife Eileen in 1987. We have three children together and one grandson. I have sat on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. I was a Den leader, and Cub Master for the Lakehurst pack 10 Cub Scout pack for five years.”
When asked what he felt the most pressing issue the Borough is facing, the mayor replied, “it’s money. Where one penny on an assessed $1,000 only adds up to $18,500. You can’t even buy a police car with that.”
“This is why the council and I moved forward with allowing cannabis shops in the Borough. Receiving 2% of everything that is sold should help us. I was thinking about using some of next year’s CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) money to help revitalize our Downtown,” he added.
Regarding a question about the development of the Borough’s master plan, the mayor said he had appointed a committee to review and make suggestions on the Master Plan. The committee consisted of two members from the Land Use Board, and two members from the governing body. “The plan is being finalized. Once that is done it will be available to the public.”
As to what each candidate brings to the table in the form of experience and skills, Robbins said “I feel that I am levelheaded and opened minded to all suggestions. My knowledge of all our departments. Plus, my years of networking.”
He added, “knowing who to call if we have any issues that we need help with. I have contacts with all our surrounding towns. County and state level contracts. I even have the Governor’s personal cell phone number on speed dial.”
Parker said, “I am running for Lakehurst mayor because I love this town. As an active member in this community already, I thrive on showing love to Lakehurst through my involvement in various sectors within the Borough. I am confident that I can make an even bigger impact on this community holding the mayor position.”
Parker said, “I currently work in banking and have lived in Lakehurst for 14 years. The most pressing issue I see in Lakehurst right now would be the upkeep of our sidewalks and parks. The sidewalks on Union Ave, the basketball courts and ball field on Chestnut Street, and the playgrounds at both the lake and Maple Street not only look run down, cracked, and unkept, but most of them are safety hazards as well.”
“I remember a time that Union Avenue was a beautiful street to drive down and walk along but in recent days it seems more run down and neglected. Our borough and surrounding communities should be able to bring their families to our events, small businesses, and recreational areas without fear of falling on uneven sidewalks or overgrown ball fields or courts,” Parker added.
“Whether these issues are a borough problem, a county problem, or a state problem, changing these issues should be actively pursued by the borough until it is resolved. The downtown business community would also benefit from the changes to the upkeep of Union Avenue sidewalks,” she added.
The candidate said, “trees replanted along the road would make the downtown area a more welcoming place to do business and having safe sidewalks to walk, bike, or skate on would bring in more income for these businesses.”
“Bringing in a fresh new love to the upkeep of the borough in general would bring new life to our downtown area, both for our residents and small business owners,” she added.
Parker said that “my education, work experience, and involvement in the Lakehurst and Manchester communities have given me a lot of experience that would be beneficial in holding the position of mayor. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in both accounting and finance at Rider University.”
“I have over 20 years of experience in customer service with seven years in banking, and also have done the bookkeeping for my husband’s small business for the last 11 years. I have held leadership roles and actively participated in our local church, Cub Scout Pack, Girl Scout Troop, and fire department.”
She added, “the communication skills and leadership qualities that I have developed through my experiences along with my positive outlook and attitude will bring a lot to the table if elected mayor of Lakehurst.”
Duffy said she was running for Council because “as a resident of Lakehurst, I would like nothing more than to see our community flourish and thrive with new energy and ideas both from the residents of the borough and myself.”
She has held a variety of employment positions over the years including retail, healthcare, entertainment, and senior and social services. “Currently, I am self-employed. I became an entrepreneur in March of 2022. I took my passion and knowledge of animals and now get to share that passion with others through my mobile petting zoo.”
“I have lived in Lakehurst for 13 years. My husband and I moved into our first home in West Lake in the duplexes on Cedar Street. As our family grew so did our housing needs and currently reside near Lake Horicon. We are looking forward to raising our children, and one day helping to raise our grandchildren in our current family home here in Lakehurst,” she said.
Duffy said “one of the more pressing issues I see facing the borough is moral, the lack of excitement and pride in living in Lakehurst. I believe if the residents felt welcomed in sharing their ideas for improvements, and activities during the various organizational meetings the town holds, more residents would participate.”
“Lakehurst has a rising, younger, more tech savvy population. The use of technology to spread information regarding the town could be improved for those that cannot attend meetings but would like to have a say in what happens within our community. I feel a community needs to work together to create a safe, fun, clean, and unique environment,” the candidate remarked.
She added, “Lakehurst downtown has that old world charm and I’d love for it to stay that way. If we could attract small business owners to fill those vacant buildings, we would be in the position to offer ‘that small-downtown shopping experience.’”
“New Jersey has many tax incentives for small businesses. We could offer information on various incentive programs to businesses that may show interest in opening shop here in town. As far as bringing new life to the community in general,” she added.
Duffy said, “we should be utilizing the lake/park grounds as a full recreation area. This idea includes fishing, kayaking, more playground equipment, more picnic areas. I would like to investigate having bike lanes, better lighting around town, and increased safety measures for pedestrians.”
“The success of a small town depends on what uniqueness that town has to offer. At various times throughout the year, the town should host vender events, fairs, flea markets, and farmers markets.
Concerning the updating of the borough’s master plan, Duff said that, “I had no clue about a ‘master plan’ for Lakehurst. When I don’t know something, I research to find an answer. When speaking with a representative at Borough Hall the last master plan that was recorded was in 2009,” she said.
“Master plans are to be updated every 10 years however, due to unforeseen circumstances, Lakehurst Borough was unable to complete a master plan in 2019.”
Duffy added the need for the governing body to address police officer retention. “The Lakehurst Police Department has a high turnover rate which in essence costs the town more money than retaining officers with fair pay”
“I will admit I lack local government procedural knowledge, but I more than make up for it with my willingness to learn. I am continually coming up with ideas in my everyday life/business and implementing them. I encourage feedback and value the residents of our community. I like to think that I have a family friendly, community mindset that could help rejuvenate the Borough of Lakehurst,” Duffy said.
Hodges and McCarthy did not respond to requests for this article.
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