Manchester Township Mayoral Election 2021: Rob Arace

MANCHESTER, NJ — The 2021 election campaign culminates when voters go to the polls Nov. 2. In Manchester, they will be choosing someone to fill the final year of the unexpired term for mayor.

There are two candidates seeking to finish the term of Kenneth Palmer, who resigned at the end of June to become an Ocean County Superior Court judge. Manchester Township has a nonpartisan government.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Rob Arace.

Age: 28

Town of residence: Manchester, NJ

Position sought: Mayor

Family: I am married to my wife, Deanna, and have my mother and grandmother who recently moved south.

Education: Bachelors in Finance from Monmouth University

Occupation: Principal Consultant in the tech industry

Previous elective office, if any:

N/A

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments?

No

Why are you seeking office?

Manchester is a great place to both raise a family and retire to, and it deserves a team that is going to lead. There are issues in town that have been plaguing our residents for years with only Band-Aid solutions from Town Hall — for instance, the flooding in Pine Lake Park or the vacant store fronts in Whiting. I want to improve the quality of life for our residents while maintaining Manchester's rural characteristic that we all enjoy.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it?

There are a few issues that rank at the top of the list, but the most pressing issue currently is overdevelopment. Manchester needs a thoughtful master plan that gives our town direction and an economic development plan to support it. Residents want and need amenities in our own town that they can rely on without compromising Manchester's rural characteristic. My plan is centered on reviving existing vacant storefronts in town by working alongside our local business leaders.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve?

My experience comes from the private sector as a Principal Consultant and a small-business owner, where action and measurable results determine success. I haven't made my money from political appointments like my opponent. Our residents deserve a mayor who listens and understands the value of efficiency. Inefficiency in government makes politicians more money, inefficient businesses fail. As mayor, I promise to put the interests of Manchester Township before personal interests and work to build a government that works for all of our residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Joe and I have been listening to what residents want and need to improve their quality of life. We're running on addressing issues like bringing more family-friendly activities to town, improving senior outreach and services, caring for our veterans, and finding a solution to the flooding in Pine Lake Park once and for all.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office?

Over the past seven years, I have worked with numerous mid- to large businesses, working with executives to problem solve and optimize their business in various verticals such as telecom, pharmaceuticals, higher education, and real estate. I helped lead and guide a variety of successful revenue-generating product and service launches. I feel that the success of these projects under tight timelines and budgets is indicative of my effectiveness if I were elected to office.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My dad passed away at a young age, and my mom and grandma raised me and put me through school. Growing up, I saw firsthand how important a strong community and support system are to families of all types. Each of the positions I take is through the lens of improving the quality of life for our community, from east to west, from young families to seniors; I want our residents and our families to know they're represented.