Brick Township Council Election 2019: Lisa Crate

BRICK, NJ — As Election Day 2019 nears, Patch is sharing profiles of the candidates for local office.

Lisa Crate is one of eight candidates seeking election to the Brick Township Council. Four seats, each with a four-year term, are on the Nov. 5 ballot. Crate is one of four Democrats seeking a seat; her running mates are Andrea Zapcic, Art Halloran and Vincent Minichino. Their Republican opponents are Jim Fozman, Max Flores, Victoria Chadwick and Neil Napolitano.

Patch asked each candidate the same questions. Here are her answers.

Name: Lisa Crate

Age: 48

Employment: Teacher with the Jackson Township Board of Education

Tell us about your public service (township boards, committees you sit on): Prior to running for Council in 2015, I had not served on any public boards or township committees. Running for office was my first official attempt at participating in public service.

Any previous elected office (council, school board, etc)? How many years have you served? I have been a part of the Brick Town Council since being elected in 2015. Since becoming a member of the Council I have served on several committees including Land Use, Recreation, Redevelopment, Ethics and I currently serve as the chair for the Department of Public Works.

What conflicts would you have (what won't you be able to vote on) if elected? I have no conflicts with regard to voting for anything.

Tell us about the most important thing you do that has nothing to do with politics or your employment: The most important thing I do is listen. It’s such a simple thing, but in my mind it’s the most important. We live in a world where people need to be heard, but no one has the time to listen. Many times, that’s all people want in life. They don’t always need all their problems solved or for someone to swoop in and save them, they just need to be heard and recognized and understand that whatever they have to say, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it, is important and worth listening to. It’s a valuable skill that is the most important one to have whether I’m listening to my own children, friends, family, colleagues or members of the community.

What will you do if you are elected to council? There are so many wonderful things happening right now in Brick and more to come based off of the hard work and dedication of the current Mayor and Council. My biggest hope going forward is that we hear word from the VA that the long awaited new VA hospital will be built right here in Brick. I’m also looking forward to working with the veterans to create a renovated space in front of town hall that will better represent those who have served in the military from Brick. I hope to work with members of the community in the future on more fun, free events for everyone to enjoy and come together so that we can maintain the small town feel we have right here in Brick.

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