Ray Coles moments ago was voted in as the mayor of Lakewood for the 2023 year, and Menashe Miller as Deputy Mayor.

As reported exclusively by TLS last week, the decision was madefollowing a meeting between Township officials.

This will be the seventh consecutive term for Ray Coles in the position of Mayor.

The appointment is an extraordinary statement of his performance on the job, especially considering the fact that the Lakewood Township Committee has a Republican majority.

Ray Coles, a democrat, joined the Township Committee in 2001, and in 2002 was voted in as Mayor. Since then, Coles served as Mayor in 2004, 2007, and 2008. This will be his 11th term as Mayor – more than half of his 21-year service to the Town.

“I’m flattered by the support of the committee. I’m honored by all the support I received from the community, and I’m really looking forward to continuing the work we’ve been doing for the past several years,” Ray Coles told TLS.

The five-person Township Committee is comprised of three republicans and two democrats.

Menashe Miller, a republican, has also been serving for several years as Deputy Mayor.

“Menash and I are partners in almost every sense of the word, the way I view the mayorship is it’s part of a team,” Coles said.”Each member of the committee is as important as the mayor position, I have the honor to run the meetings and be the focal point, but everybody gives me input, none more so than Menashe who I talk to at least four or five times a day.”

The Reorganization Meeting was held virtually.