Maple Street Neighbors Vying to Become Lakehurst's Next Mayor

As a borough of about 2,500 residents spanning one square mile, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Lakehurst's mayoral candidates are neighbors. 

Harry Robbins, a Republican councilman, and Leroy Smith Jr., the Democratic newcomer to borough politics, call Maple Street home. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, one of them will become Lakehurst's next leader as current mayor Timothy Borsetti has decided not to seek a second four-year term. 

Robbins, who has called Lakehurst home for 25 years, has served on the council since 1999 when he was appointed to a vacant seat and took the position of council president in 2002. 

Smith, a borough resident of 35 years, decided to enter the race to bring "outside the box" thinking to Lakehurst.

"As long as I've been here, taxes have risen," Smith said, adding that as mayor he would look into ways of consolidating the borough's services, such as the police department, with those of neighboring towns like Manchester as a money-saving effort. "It definitely has to be looked at," he said. "My goal is to reverse taxes."

Robbins also said that tax reduction is a priority for him should he win the race.

"I've sat on all the committees and I feel that I have a good handle on what's going on at the table and behind the scenes," said Robbins, who currently serves on the Finance/Administration and Public Works committees. "My main objective is to try to stabilize taxes the best I can without interfering with the services that Lakehurst gets."

Robbins said that services are the first things impacted during an economic downturn, but said that the borough has managed to keep its departments running.

Smith said that his vision for Lakehurst includes it becoming an attraction for people from all over the state. He wants to see students take field trips to learn about the borough's history, for example. 

"I want to put this town back on the map," he said, adding that he would highlight the military connections of the borough, such as the nearby Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. "This town wouldn't exist if it weren't for them."

Robins said that, on the heels of a new police contract which may allow for the hire of a new officer, he would continue working on ways to keep residents safe.

"In my opinion, public safety should be priority one," said Robbins, a DEP licensed water and wastewater operator in Lakewood who serves as safety coordinator. "I go through a lot of safety courses and safety training and I'm geared and taught that safety is number one. The safety of our residents in the borough is number one."

"We're doing the job, but there's always room for improvement," he said. 

Having gone back to school to complete a criminal justice degree from the Richard Stockton College in 2004, Smith said that he wants leaders who, while not experts in all areas, will ask questions. 

"It gives us the ability to not know everything, but to go for the right information," he said. 

Robbins shared a similar sentiment in that he hopes borough residents will become more involved with their leaders. Since about 75 percent of taxes go to the board of education, Robbins said that he would like to encourage residents to attend more meetings — including those of the school board — to see how their money is used.

"I think the residents should be a little more proactive with the board of ed and start attending some of the meetings and asking questions," he said. 

The candidates share a common ground in that they each believe their vision is the one that will move Lakehurst forward. 

Robbins said that he would look for ways to cut "senseless spending" in simple ways.

"Instead of paper trails everywhere, let's use our computers more often — email, stuff like that," he said. "Trying to find cuts wherever cuts can be made."

Smith said that he would work to find grants from federal sources for the borough. 

"I'll be able to run this town more efficient," he said, while noting that he would need some help. "It takes a team effort. It takes all of us."

Along with the position of mayor, two three-year council seats will be up for grabs in the borough on election day. According to the Ocean County Clerk's office, newcomers Robin Busch and Ed Seaman Jr., Lakehurst's fire chief, took the Republican nominations for borough council, defeating incumbent council member Patricia Ford.

Former Lakehurst Police Department sergeant Gary L. Lowe also is running as an independent candidate. Lowe was an officer until he left the force following an injury in November 2009.

Manchester holds its municipal elections in May, meaning that no officials are on the ballot this Nov. 8. Members are up for election until 2012 are councilmembers Frederick Trutkoff, Kenneth Vanderziel and Warren Reiter. Township residents will have the opportunity to decide if their municipal elections should as a cost-saving measure.