Township Committee, BOE Races Loom: Register to Vote in Holmdel by Oct. 18

Holmdel, NJ - As with all municipalities across America, the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election is October 18.

Make sure you are eligible to vote in Holmdel, not only because of the presidential election, but also because of two important elections here locally:

Holmdel Township Committee: Two Holmdel Township Committee seats will be up for re-election on Nov. 8: Mayor Eric Hinds and Committeeman Michael Nikolis, both Republican, are running to keep their seats. They are challenged by Karen Strickland and Barbara Singer, two Democrats. (Francine Campis withdrew her name some time ago.) Two of the biggest issues currently facing Holmdel this fall are:

1. Turf field battle at Cross Farm Park: As they currently sit on the Township Committee, Mayor Hinds and Nikolis each voted in favor of installing the turf fields, in the form of approving a $3.3 million bond that will go to pay for them. Singer and Strickland, however, are against the turf fields. Singer spoke at the Sept. 6 meeting where the Committee approved the bond.

"I pointed out to the Township Committee that the EPA is currently undergoing a study on the health risks of artificial turf, with initial findings to be out year end," she told Patch Tuesday. As Patch reported, a group of Holmdel residents sued the Township last week over the turf fields. "I think it is terrible that residents have to pool personal money to sue the township in order to get them to abide by proper procedures, or to get them to 'hear' them," Singer added.

2. JCP&L massive transmission line proposal: Mayor Hinds and Nikolis are firmly against the JCP&L power line proposal, to the point where Holmdel is ponying up money along with Hazlet and Middletown to pay for a lawyer and engineer to fight the proposal. Strickland and Singer are also against the power lines, Singer told Patch.

Holmdel Board of Education: Six people see three-year terms on the Holmdel School Board:

Lori Ammirati, resident of Cross Run Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Ana M. Caban-Vander Woude, resident of Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 (incumbent)
Chiung-yin Cheng Liu, resident of Seven Oaks Drive, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Jaime Ochojski, resident of Coventry Square, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Dennis Pavlik, resident of Orchard Avenue E., Holmdel, NJ 07733 (incumbent)
Michael Sockol, resident of Wildhedge Lane, Holmdel, NJ 07733 (incumbent)

You can check if you are registered to vote here. And if you are not, you can download and print this form from the Holmdel Township Clerk and mail it back to the address listed BY OCTOBER 18!!

Holmdel Mayor Eric Hinds/Patch file photo