Election 2022: Lacey Township Committee Candidate Steven Kennis

LACEY, NJ — In a few weeks, Lacey residents will be heading to the polls to vote in the Lacey Township Committee primary election. While this is an uncontested election, Patch sent questions out to candidates to share their thoughts ahead of the June 7 primary.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the primary election. These responses will be published edited only for style. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact veronica.flesher@patch.com.

Name: Steven Kennis

Campaign website: NO ANSWER

City or town of residence: Lanoka Harbor

Office sought: Lacey Township Committee

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: College of New Jersey Bachelor's Degree

Occupation: Builder, Developer, Property Manager, 25 years exp.

Family: Son, Trey, age 19 Daughter, Keira, age 15

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Age: 51

Previous public office, appointive or elective
Lacey Township Zoning Board 2001-2005
Lacey Township Planning Board 2005-present
Lacey Township Environmental Comm. 2005-present
Lacey Township Committee 2014-present

Why are you seeking this office?
As a long time resident and a local businessman,
I will continue to make Lacey a desirable place to live and to maintain the quality of life our
residents have come to expect.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is
___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

affordability. I will continue to promote the reconstruction of our commercial corridors in order to
attract businesses so that our residents will not have to travel far to enjoy the benefit of our
many restaurants and retail stores. With 9 years of experience on the township budget, I will
continue to maintain a budget that is fair to its taxpayers, employees and other stakeholders.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this
post?

I have lived here for 50 years and attended our school system from grade school through high
school. I have also been part of a family business that has persevered in Lacey for 50 years.
Both of these experiences have provided me with a wide range of knowledge about the
township.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the
community?

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will continue to keep township costs as efficient as possible in order to minimize the municipal
tax rate.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Having served almost 9 years, I understand all aspects of Lacey Township governance and
understand the relationships between the different organizations and public entities that are a
part of a township this size.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Read as much as you can. My parents were avid readers and always kept up with current
events and encouraged me to do so as well.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I had a great time growing up in Lacey and still enjoy it. The town has changed a lot since I've
been here but it still has a small town, family oriented spirit that still persists and I will do my best to maintain it.