CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

In Middletown Township Committee race, GOP veterans face Dem neophytes for two seats

Asbury Park Press - 10/25/2021

MIDDLETOWN - What could have been a quiet one-seat race was upended twice this election season, first when a resignation opened up a second seat on the township's governing body, then once more when the possible out-of-state criminal history of one of the new candidates for that second seat came to light.

Two Democrats and two Republicans are vying for two different types of seats on Middletown's Township Committee. Republican Mayor Anthony "Tony" Perry is seeking reelection to a conventional three-year committee term with Democrat newcomer Roque "Rocky" Rios III looking to unseat him. Republican Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz, who succeeded fellow Republican Patricia Snell after Snell resigned in August, is running for the unexpired portion of what would have been Snell's term, ending in 2023.

Democrat Nicholas Babcock, a U.S. Navy veteran, is looking to unseat Kratz. It was Babcock's younger life in Arizona that threw the election cycle for its second spin when it came to light earlier in October that he may have faced forgery and theft charges there, serving several years' probation as a result.

Township Democrats have said they are looking into the matter, and Babcock has not yet remarked on what appear to be Maricopa County, Arizona, records that detail his guilty pleas, and court orders later setting them aside.

Republicans this year are stressing fiscal responsibility, and Democrats have focused on accountability in local government.

If a Democrat is to win a seat on the Township Committee it would be the first time in 11 years that the body was not all Republican.

Middletown: Township GOP skipped 4 years' financial reports, state says

Below are the candidates' responses to questions from the Asbury Park Press, in their own words.

What is your highest priority if elected?

My highest priority is to continue to work with my colleagues on the Township Committee to deliver the services our residents expect while being fiscally responsible. I believe that Middletown is such a wonderful town because of the people who live here. We are fortunate to have a proven history of dedicated leadership. I love meeting people and over the course of my many years of volunteering in Middletown, I have worked alongside and met many. It is my biggest goal to continue to work with our residents to keep Middletown the town we love. I would especially like to expand programs for our seniors and young people. We have many wonderful small businesses that I would like to showcase also.

Middletown: Activists seek to ditch town's form of government

What is your strategy for coordinating with county and state governments, the business community and other entities to affect your agenda for the township?

The township has benefited greatly by having a strong partnership with the county. We are able to manage costs by sharing services and working closely together. I believe both my professional experience and my volunteer work have provided me with a balanced approach to problem solving. I will continue to forge strong relationships with the county, state and local businesses.

Please tell readers and voters anything else you think they should know about you.

I am a graduate of Monmouth University, where I have earned my bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in management. I have truly enjoyed the work I have done benefitting the township and its residents. I look forward to continuing my service on a larger scale. I am a lifelong Middletown resident. I grew up in the Oak Hill section and now reside in Belford. My husband Willis and I recently celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and are the proud parents of two teenage sons, Luke and Jack.

What is your highest priority if reelected?

The highest priority of every elected official should be fiscal responsibility and in my three years as mayor, every decision made by Middletown Township has been examined through the lens of the taxpayer. It is no secret that New Jersey has an affordability crisis and leaders must work to control the rise of property taxes. If I am fortunate enough to be reelected, I will continue to deliver on the promise of fiscal responsibility in every decision and vote I make. Any candidate unwilling to acknowledge that taxes are the number-one issue for residents is oblivious to the needs of our residents.

Earlier: With no primary opponent, Middletown's Perry raises $92k

What is your strategy for coordinating with county and state governments, the business community, and other entities to affect your agenda for the township?

In my three years as mayor, Middletown has forged an unparalleled relationship with Monmouth County. From public safety to road management, Middletown and Monmouth County will continue to work together to better the lives of our residents. Just recently, Middletown broke ground on our Veterans Housing project on Leonardville Road and without the full support of the County Commissioners, projects like that would be impossible. We also are working together on a number of infrastructure projects that will not only enhance safety in several areas in town, such as the Phalanx Road entrance to Brookdale Community College as well as the roundabout near the Stone Church in Navesink. Without this partnership, these enhancements would be nearly impossible. As we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, Middletown will continue to provide the necessary support to our small businesses. We were the only town in Monmouth County that was granted CARES Act funding in the first round in 2020. Within just a few weeks, we launched the Middletown Economic Relief Program which was able to distribute more than $400,000 in grants to keep the doors of our small businesses open.

Please tell readers and voters anything else you think they should know about you.

It has been the privilege of my life to serve the residents of Middletown and I am so proud of the progress we have made over the last several years. My hope is to provide the residents of this town a place they can all be proud of and pass on to their children. While there are so many accomplishments that we can all be proud of, the job is not done yet and that is why I hope to receive your support on Election Day.

What is your highest priority if elected?

My highest priority if elected is to restore transparency, accountability and the residents' voices to the governing body of Middletown. There is a disparity in how the Township Committee hears the voices of our residents — and that disparity excludes those across party lines, ZIP codes and neighborhoods. This is inappropriate. Why have a committee of five people if they act with one voice? I will promote healthy discussion and debate amongst our elected representatives when it comes to issues facing our residents.

Middletown: Police chief, sergeant, town sued over 'freak accident' arrest

However, as a humble newcomer, I must focus initially on building relationships with key players across our local government, boards and professional staff, as well as the levels above at our county and state. I will be establishing communication with appointed officials, such as the planning board members, environmental commission, etc. in order to discuss their efforts to implement the Township's Master Plan. This plan should be revisited to deal with the public health and environmental issues that have come to the forefront since it was originally adopted. I look forward to the opportunity to establish and nurture these relationships in order to best serve the residents of Middletown as a member of the township committee.

What is your strategy for coordinating with county and state governments, the business community and other entities to affect your agenda for the township?

The fundamental building block of effective relationships is clearly articulated lines of communication. The same holds true for government at the county and state level, as well as with our local community entities and small businesses. It is crucial to establish those collaborative relationships with our community and with our county and state in order to deliver the best solutions to our residents.

Once I've established those connections, I would review the strategic plan and budget to determine if they align with the Township's agenda. Then I would facilitate communication and collaboration between municipal and county departments, such as planning, public works, public safety, etc. to accomplish planned items. There are important challenges that we are all facing in New Jersey, and as the largest township in the county, we are in a position to provide leadership and set the example with solutions for services, spending, taxes, etc. through resident-focused initiatives. Where opportunities exist to share those solutions at a larger scale, I will work across municipalities to implement them. In my experience at a large enterprise — the work we put in to enable services, solutions, and their associated costs, to scale effectively — makes them stronger.

Please tell readers and voters anything else you think they should know about you.

If you are reading this, you are likely plugged in to what is happening in your community. You realize that there is more to your civic duty to vote than picking a president once every four years. Your local representation matters, and your vote in these elections has power — power to choose your representatives, and the power to guide their actions. Whether I am elected or not, your vote for me will influence the actions of the township committee during the next election cycle. They'll remember the issues you cared deeply about that helped you decide your vote, and they'll pay heed to them.

Middletown: Township breaks ground on vets' affordable housing

I entered as a candidate for Middletown Township Committee because I was tired of how entire neighborhoods are sidelined in our town. I saw the frustration amongst the people in this town at the effects of one political dynasty controlling everything from the greenlighting of luxury housing developments in their backyards, to acting against the will of the voters on cannabis businesses, and tacitly endorsing anti-mask and anti-vaccine misinformation with their silence at best. Middletown residents: You deserve representation that works for you, not for the careers of a handpicked political dynasty.

What is your highest priority if elected?

The high cost of living in Middletown, particularly property taxes. The Perry administration's contention that the tax rate is flat is misleading. In reality, tax assessments on properties have increased, and when combined with even a flat tax rate results in more property taxes being paid by residents. What needs to be done is to create a responsible municipal budget based on what is actually needed by the taxpayers, and not a budget that gets bloated and out of control simply because the real estate market is up.

Please tell readers and voters anything else you think they should know about you.

The Township Committee unanimously voted to prohibit recreational marijuana businesses from opening within Middletown limits. This decision by the committee will hurt our local economy and job creation. Middletown has empty storefronts along Routes 35 and 36. The recreational marijuana industry can open stores in those locations if the committee would end their ridiculous anti recreational marijuana stance. These businesses would not only help our local economy, it would also create jobs. I am a pro-marijuana candidate that believes in the rule of law.

Middletown: Development work turns neighborhood to 'dust bowl'

Alex N. Gecan covers local news and unsolved mysteries for the Asbury Park Press. You can reach him at 732-547-1365 or agecan@gannettnj.com, or follow him on Twitter @GeeksterTweets.

©2021 www.app.com. Visit app.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.