Why I Voted ‘Yes’ On Public Question #3 on the Ballot

Please join me in voting YES on Public Question #3. Your vote will establish a Holmdel Charter Study Commission to study and explore various options to improve our local government – including possibly directly electing the Mayor.

The current Township Committee system denies voters the opportunity to select the Mayor. Instead, the Mayor is selected in a backroom each December. The only people defending this system are the politically connected ones with access to the backroom.

Controversy over the Township Committee system started in January 2017. Eric Hinds, who was the Mayor for the two preceding years, had just been re-elected to the Township Committee. The re-org meeting on Jan. 3 started as usual with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, followed by an invocation. The committee swore-in Mr. Hinds to a new Township Committee term and then turned to their main business: appointing the mayor.

Pat Impreveduto made a motion to nominate Greg Buontempo as the Mayor. Chaos ensued. Mr. Hinds made a statement that he believed he should have been nominated and that the process was unfair. Mr. Hinds’ supporters, who were present at the meeting to show their displeasure, made it clear that they voted for Mr. Hinds hoping he’d be the mayor again.

It was all too obvious to everyone else in the room that the Township Committee system creates confusion by denying voters a direct say in the selection of the Mayor.

We have a unique opportunity to improve our government by approving a charter study commission, which can look into the different forms of government that are available, and bring about a directly elected mayor. Please vote YES on Public Question #3.

Prakash Santhana

Holmdel Township Committeeman (2020-2022)