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Lakewood, NJ - Orthodox Candidate Regains GOP Control In Lakewood |
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![Steven Langert [photo credit: APP]](http://www.vosizneias.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/sl.jpg "sl")
Steven Langert [photo credit: APP]
GOP challenger Steven Langert followed Democratic incumbent Raymond Coles into victory by large margins, unofficial election results show.
Langert took 16,383 votes, 33 percent of the total and more than double that of his
running mate, Michael Berman, who lost with 7,178 votes. On the Democratic side, Coles captured 17,520 votes, or 36 percent, while Democrat Michael Sernotti, 53, a former zoning board chairman, came up short with 7,718 votes, or 16 percent.
"I'm actually quite humbled,'' Langert, 42, said. "The voters have spoken and change is coming to Lakewood. I'm very happy the GOP is finally in control.''
Up to 70 percent of the town's official population of 70,000 cast a ballot Tuesday. Poll workers reported higher than usual turnouts, which, according to surveyed voters, came primarily from the enthusiasm built by the presidential race.
Jared Craig, 26, said he voted for Langert and Berman, not because he knew who they were, but because "I felt I should keep it all one party line'' after voting for McCain.
The township's voters are Republican-leaning despite the longtime Democratic majority in the Township Committee.
Since Democrat Charles Cunliffe decided months ago not to run for a fifth term, the
GOP has seen it as its year to take over. This was Langert's second bid for a committee seat. In 2005, the chief executive officer of a day care center for the mentally disabled lost to Coles and Cunliffe, not having the backing of the Vaad, the town's influential council of Jewish leaders. Last weekend, the Vaad endorsed the sole Orthodox candidate, along with Coles, 50, who will follow tradition and step down as mayor. His successor will be chosen by the Republican majority.
Berman, 66, an attorney, who also lost a committee run in 2000, had joined Langert's platform this election on better fiscal responsibility. The township tax rate has gone up more than 20 percent the past two years
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Read Comments (17) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 05, 2008 at 10:26 AM Anonymous Says:
What did he win? What is a committee seat?
2
Nov 05, 2008 at 10:32 AM Dave Says:
He is a smart man and a great guy!
3
Nov 05, 2008 at 10:53 AM Anonymous Says:
give him a minute to drink the vaad-flavored cool-aid and he'll be indistinguishable from the rest of them.
4
Nov 05, 2008 at 11:04 AM Anonymous Says:
he won a seat on the township commitee which so far has 3 frum members 2 republicans menashe miller/and steve and 1 democrat mayer lichtenstein
he lost last time around as the VAAD didnt back him this time for whatever back room manuvering and handeling they backed him so he indeed won whether this will keep him locked into their pocket and stifle him from achieving the platform and reason of his running remains to be seen
their is alot of waste in the lakewood township services over all have gone down and taxes up which means their is a hole somewhere needing to be plugged where is all those millions of dollars going??? its his job to try and stop the pork barrel spending of lakewood new garbage trucks/municipal trucks,cars,police cars,suvs etc that we see all over town
these r things we see. their are many expenditures we dont know or see as for years lakewood hicktown back slapping contract rewarding has been going on( backroom scratch my back ill scratch yours )
5
Nov 05, 2008 at 10:37 AM Anonymous Says:
It was Langert's third bid for this position, not second
6
Nov 05, 2008 at 12:38 PM Anonymous Says:
Langert is the best for Lakewood
7
Nov 05, 2008 at 12:48 PM Joseph Says:
“ give him a minute to drink the vaad-flavored cool-aid and he'll be indistinguishable from the rest of them. ”
Absolutely correct.
Lakewood is corrupt beyond repair. I've been here for almost 15 years and property taxes have been going up and up with no justification. He says he's going to stop it (yeah, surrrre you will).
Let's wait and see if he's as leshem shomayim for the working middle class as he claims to be, although I have my doubts about ANY politician (except for Guilliani and Bloomberg). Because let's face it; In this town, if you're not a builder or a mosad, you're screwed.
8
Nov 05, 2008 at 02:33 PM Anonymous Says:
I'm very happy for Steven Langert and HOPE he will do everything that he pledged for the last 5 – 10 years.
9
Nov 05, 2008 at 02:36 PM Anonymous Says:
From APP:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the APP for allowing me to express my views in this venue. I ask you to vote for me, Steven Langert, and my running mate, Mike Berman, for Lakewood Township Committee this year. Our Municipal taxes are up over 21% in the last TWO years alone. If elected, I pledge to scrutinize all areas of spending before agreeing to spend your money. Quality of life has not been adequately addressed by the current majority. When people are afraid to shop or visit our downtown, something must be done, and I intend to address this issue from the start. As a taxpayer, homeowner and someone raising a family in Lakewood, I realize that any decision I make affects me and my family as well as my neighbors and fellow citizens. We are all in this together. I pledge to you that my actions will always be in the best interests of all the taxpaying citizens of Lakewood. Our town has many issues that have evolved over the past ten years. These must be addressed with fresh thoughts and a new outlook. I hope you agree with me that the time has come for a change in leadership in Lakewood, and I hope you will support my efforts to bring about that change. Your vote matters. Spend it wisely on Langert & Berman for Lakewood Township Committee
10
Nov 05, 2008 at 01:31 PM Ex Lakewooder Says:
Steve, Good luck and congrats on your victory!!
11
Nov 05, 2008 at 03:58 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Absolutely correct.
Lakewood is corrupt beyond repair. I've been here for almost 15 years and property taxes have been going up and up with no justification. He says he's going to stop it (yeah, surrrre you will).
Let's wait and see if he's as leshem shomayim for the working middle class as he claims to be, although I have my doubts about ANY politician (except for Guilliani and Bloomberg). Because let's face it; In this town, if you're not a builder or a mosad, you're screwed. ”
Joseph- count your blessings- I reside in Passaic and we also have 3 frum councilmen who promised to lower taxes- I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k! At least you get school busing for the kids-
And to top it off half of our City government and Mayor are now serving prison time!
Louisssianna used to be the most corrupt state in the country- but we in NJ have gone way in front and are now the most corrupt state - ask anyone who tries to do business in NJ- whether on the state level or the local- no one is home unless you grease their palm in one form or another!
12
Nov 05, 2008 at 04:41 PM Joseph Says:
“ Joseph- count your blessings- I reside in Passaic and we also have 3 frum councilmen who promised to lower taxes- I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k! At least you get school busing for the kids-
And to top it off half of our City government and Mayor are now serving prison time!
Louisssianna used to be the most corrupt state in the country- but we in NJ have gone way in front and are now the most corrupt state - ask anyone who tries to do business in NJ- whether on the state level or the local- no one is home unless you grease their palm in one form or another! ”
I'd be willing to bet those frum councilmen you speak of are wealthy and have a lot of self-interest to protect their interests and assets. "Greasing palms" as you put it applies to frum people also, although it may not be in the same sense. It can come in the form of favors, looking the other way, doing what's good for their cronies (who will in turn do good for them), etc. No one goes into politics "leshem shomayim", and if they do, they quickly get corrupted themselves, especially if they have business that can benefit one way or another, be it directly or indirectly.
Thanks for your input, although I was hoping someone would respond with hostility...I've been checking in all day!!! :(
13
Nov 05, 2008 at 05:24 PM Anonymous Says:
“ I'd be willing to bet those frum councilmen you speak of are wealthy and have a lot of self-interest to protect their interests and assets. "Greasing palms" as you put it applies to frum people also, although it may not be in the same sense. It can come in the form of favors, looking the other way, doing what's good for their cronies (who will in turn do good for them), etc. No one goes into politics "leshem shomayim", and if they do, they quickly get corrupted themselves, especially if they have business that can benefit one way or another, be it directly or indirectly.
Thanks for your input, although I was hoping someone would respond with hostility...I've been checking in all day!!! :( ”
Sorry- no hostility- we are pretty much on the same page
14
Nov 05, 2008 at 07:45 PM Aron Says:
“ Joseph- count your blessings- I reside in Passaic and we also have 3 frum councilmen who promised to lower taxes- I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k! At least you get school busing for the kids-
And to top it off half of our City government and Mayor are now serving prison time!
Louisssianna used to be the most corrupt state in the country- but we in NJ have gone way in front and are now the most corrupt state - ask anyone who tries to do business in NJ- whether on the state level or the local- no one is home unless you grease their palm in one form or another! ”
Stevie -
Way to go for an Adelphia boy! Next stop, the White House (I think the new guy going there soon graduated Adelphia a few years years before you)
15
Nov 05, 2008 at 07:41 PM Aron Says:
“ Joseph- count your blessings- I reside in Passaic and we also have 3 frum councilmen who promised to lower taxes- I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k! At least you get school busing for the kids-
And to top it off half of our City government and Mayor are now serving prison time!
Louisssianna used to be the most corrupt state in the country- but we in NJ have gone way in front and are now the most corrupt state - ask anyone who tries to do business in NJ- whether on the state level or the local- no one is home unless you grease their palm in one form or another! ”
"I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k!"
I don't know if this will make you feel better about the taxes you have to pay, but $1,600 increased by about 8% every year will be close to $11,000 after 24 years. 8% may be somewhat more than the rate of inflation, but it is more a true perspective of your tax increase than saying that your tax increased by around 600% in 24 years (although both statements are technically true).
16
Nov 06, 2008 at 11:57 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Joseph- count your blessings- I reside in Passaic and we also have 3 frum councilmen who promised to lower taxes- I paid 1600 when I moved in 24 years ago and now pay close to 11k! At least you get school busing for the kids-
And to top it off half of our City government and Mayor are now serving prison time!
Louisssianna used to be the most corrupt state in the country- but we in NJ have gone way in front and are now the most corrupt state - ask anyone who tries to do business in NJ- whether on the state level or the local- no one is home unless you grease their palm in one form or another! ”
I have my doubts about ANY politician (except for Guilliani and Bloomberg)
why do you trust them?
17
Nov 06, 2008 at 04:16 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Langert is the best for Lakewood ”
Go Menashe!! Go Langert!!!