This isn’t Political “Silly Season” – it’s Different, and Far More Troubling

After 5 years on the Holmdel Township Committee – and in my second year as your Mayor – I genuinely thought I’d seen it all. But a new level of malignant politics has invaded the spring Republican primary election. Candidates, desperate for any attention they can get, struggling to find any meaningful support, are – in my view – publicly disqualifying themselves from serving our town.

They are running a campaign that is completely AGAINST all the values we hold dear – open space, fiscal responsibility, public safety, and more.

Of particular note …

• Earlier this year, we reduced a Trenton-mandated housing development in Holmdel from 170 units to 80. That’s 90 FEWER homes impacting Holmdel’s schools, budget, and infrastructure … and Kristen Celauro stood against it! She wanted MORE development. That is fact. It is public record. It is irrefutable.
• A short time later, the Emma/Celauro campaign criticized the Township’s widely-celebrated decision to purchase and preserve venerable Potter’s Farm – the “Gateway to Holmdel”. They support development on the farm. That is fact. It is public record. It is irrefutable.
• At multiple Holmdel Township meetings Kristen Celauro has stood in front of the Committee and advocated raising your taxes to support projects she thought would score her political points – the Emma/Celauro campaign even complained that we’re proposing a 0% municipal tax increase! That is fact. It is public record. It is irrefutable.
• At multiple Holmdel Township meetings Ron Emma has openly questioned or criticized expenditures related to public safety – the Emma/Celauro campaign even criticized our decision to work with Monmouth County dispatch to improve response times, catch criminals faster, and make you safer! That is fact. It is public record. It is irrefutable.

Think about that, in the most ANTI-HOLMDEL campaign in Township history, Emma/Celauro are standing AGAINST open space, public safety, and smart fiscal management.

Now, think about what happens if they win.

• What happens when their anti-Holmdel principles take hold?

• What happens when pro-development rhetoric moves from words to action?

• What happens when public safety goes unfunded?

The results would be catastrophic for you, your family, and our town. Believe me, I’m as stunned at their irresponsibility as you are … but it’s real.

I am proudly on-record in support of Committeeman Gary Vanderham and Thomas “TJ” Mann for Holmdel Township Committee. I support them, not because Emma and Celauro are clearly bad for our town, but because they’re the leaders we need right now to keep moving forward in a smart, responsible, and productive way for all Holmdel residents.

Combined, Gary and TJ have spent years serving our town on the Planning Board, Environmental Committee, Finance Committee, Township Committee, HYAA, and in various other capacities. They have shown to be thoughtful, principled leaders, responsible stewards of your tax dollars, with values in perfect alignment with the pillars our town stands upon.

Their hearts beat in unison with the oath we take when we enter office, with the pledge we recite before every meeting, and with every resident in every corner of our town.

THAT is fact. I’ve just made it public record … and it is irrefutable.

The Republican Primary is June 2^nd.

Early Voting begins Tuesday May 26^th.

Vote for Committeeman Gary Vanderham and Thomas “TJ” Mann for Holmdel Township Committee – it’s the most important thing you can do for your town this year.