Sure we have problems and growing pains in Lakewood, but the town is better than it was 30 years ago, Mayor Coles said.
In response to a frustrated resident who spoke about traffic during the recent committee meeting, the Mayor acknowledged that Lakewood has its issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great town.
Coles, who moved to Lakewood about 30 years ago, said upon his moving to Lakewood, his wife came home crying from her job when people questioned why she moved to such a ‘terrible place like Lakewood’.
“It’s a successful town,” the Mayor said, and “we don’t like people thinking their town sucks.”
Coles added, he has reminded the attorneys from both the planning and zoning boards that they are there to hear what the people have to say.
The Mayor concluded, “Lakewood has a lot to offer”, and “there are a lot more positives than there are negatives.”
“Lakewood has a lot to offer.”
Like what? Examples please, because I don’t see anything.
By the way, I was born and raised in Lakewood, no longer live here but work here. This place has changed drastically and NOT for the better.
Bottom line.Lakewood is in bad shape today in many serious issues that need to be resolved before the town continues building and adding problems to the already growing list of issues.
Thank you Mr. Mayor Coles
Looking forward to a repaired town with the quality of life returned.
I agree. We all just focus on the negative, but there is so much more positive than negative going on in town. And the proof is, look how many people still want to live in lakewood.
I have to respectfully disagree. I have lived here my whole life and I am 31 and I think lakewood was a great safe place growing up. Now when I say I have to go home in lakewood it’s good luck driving through there. If he question or concern was about traffic then yes traffic has gotten way worse from 30 years ago. People can’t walk across the street correctly without almost getting ran over. There are people driving like they are in a race to get to the next red light. You get cut off and it seems no one knows what a stop sign really means. Traffic wise yes it’s worse but town wise lakewood as always been a great town even 30 years ago.
wow!! finally a mayor who is a person to focus on the Positive than focusing on the negative.
I spoke to a person who lived here 30 years ago also and he said traffic on route 9 was a problem 30 years ago too.
Be happy with the success of the town and deal with how to fix the minor issues than being weighed down with the Minor issues and be weighed down with anher.
Anger and focusing on negative all day will make you sad and depressed be happy and the few issue will work it’s way out.
Thank you Mayor Coles for realizing and seeing the positive.
Sorry 30 years ago was a lot better!!!!
I live in Lakewood over 40 years and some things were much better then. Yes there were hardly any places to go shopping, but now we have way too many. I for one, do not need all the gashmius that came with the growth, not the eateries, entertainment, huge houses etc. The traffic, lack of bussing to school etc. When I moved to my house over 35 years ago, I could let my kids walk to school and not worry about them getting hit by a car. I used to leave my door unlocked, now I don’t. Then I would have called Lakedwood Ir HaTorah, now it is only partially Ir HaTorah, and the other part – I shudder to say it.
Ive been her 60 years and respectfully disagree with the Mayor
There is one real problem in Lakewood, infrastructure other than I want to someone list one other real problem!!!
i agree fully with my take! I live off rt.9 in a quiet area. I had a big beautiful yard that people would tell me they get married here,now the woods and privacy are gone due to really tall homes that everyone can practally jump right into my back yard from their yard is really rediculous. Why do they have to be that tall? This is not right. Hashem help us all!
I don’t know about 30 years ago, but I have lived in Lakewood over 20 years, and Lakewood was a much better place in every way back then.
There are successful people in Lakewood, that does not mean that the Township of Lakewood is a success.
@Trump, I have been living here only 26 years and I don’t know where you get your information from. Completely false.
@trump you should seriously consider finding a new friend.. just go back 20 years ago there was not a drop of traffic in all of Lakewood (besides for a Friday afternoon) there was not a frum yid past James/Pine..or past columbas Ave.. you came to the light on the 9 and Central you just had to wait for it to turn green..
I would like the facts of why Lakewood is better today than yesterday. The Lakewood School system was one of the best in Ocean County. The graduation rate is lower than it should be. I DO NOT WANT TO READ it is the students.
When you cut services & foreign languages, it is not better.
We used to have ……
-swim club
-Community health club,
-Swimming beach North lake ,South lake
-Running races in Pine Park
– ping pong
We are much worse then 30 years ago
@anon that’s what makes Lakewood better, seriously?!!
I’ve been here for 23 yrs. Yes the traffic is crazy, yes there are new townhouses being built with minimal parking, yes the school busing situation…. All that said, I still love this town! It’s such a blessing and privilege to be here! We have beautiful schools for our beautiful children! Families growing, Yeshivas growing! Opportunities to make a living! There are so many ppl here to service. I love the fact that Lakewood grew! It’s a flourishing town and thats a beracha!