By: Aaron Joseph. Its Time. Face it. Lakewood has grown by leaps and bounds. We are now the 7th biggest city in all of New Jersey. Believe it or not. Not only don’t most of us know all the names in the neighborhood or Shul Minyan anymore, many can’t even recall the time Lakewooders did personally know- not only the neighborhood- but everyone in the Lakewood directory- or its predecessor- the ‘Yeshiva List’.
As any community grows, changes are adapted to accommodate that growth. As we have seen in the zealous zoning arena, to the ire of some and immense satisfaction of others; laws and rules change accordingly so as to allow for uninhibited modification; all to accommodate the demands of growth. Telling as well, is the road alteration and traffic flow adjustments so as to ease the absorption of the multitudes migrating to this once humble town of ours.
One area that has for far too long been neglected is our representation in local government. And now with the election season upon us, it is high time that this ever pressing need be addressed- as soon as possible. The nature of this article is simply to raise awareness and generate conversation and perhaps debate of how this limited representation by so few- for so many- must be amended accordingly and adjusted- much the same as the zoning laws have been. Beyond recognition is just the title.
Historians note that the only area of concern that our first president had while sitting in meetings while drafting the United States Constitution was- and mind you, he was the chairman of that Constitutional Convention, -his only input was in support of lowering the size of congressional districts from 40,000 citizens, to 30,000. Fair representation was the only input he shared throughout the entire convention. Mind you he was extremely popular- no one even challenged his reelection is 1792- and could have certainly interjected something more- say like National Health or a Jobs Bill. Yet George Washington understood, and knew good and well for his times perhaps through his having led troops in battle for many years, just how many could possibly be fairly represented by a single delegate in a Federal government. And only for that was what he chose to place his full influential weight in the framework of our national government.
Abraham Lincoln understood this so well as well, when he proclaimed in summarization ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people’.
Lakewood has long ago outgrown the puny government format of “township committee of 5.” This format that represents tiny hamlets of rural Maine or outlying villages in Northern New Hampshire, have just a few hundred at the most being represented with such a form of government. With a burgeoning population of just under 100,000 souls, and an ever increasing pace of migration, as reflected in the ever increasing development, a small distinguished group of 5 simply does not serve anybody well anymore. It once did, perhaps, but no longer.
What I propose, and simply for reflection purposes at this point, is a city- that’s right citywide Lakewood referendum on the type of government that should succeed the committee style that we have had up until now. Toms River, which ranks now directly behind Lakewood in population size, have a mayor-city counsel with 7 members. Mind you, the mayor is directly elected by the people- and hence answerable to them. In fact the top 10 biggest cities in New Jersey all share this kind of government format, legally known as the “Faulkner Act” kind of government.
Over the years the New Jersey State Government has sanctioned 5 local government types, or 11 forms of government. The very popular Faulkner Act variation of local government consists of a government which provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members. All council members may be elected at large, or some may be elected by wards; they may be partisan or nonpartisan, and serve four-year concurrent or staggered terms. The style of any format of local government sanctioned by the state is not absolute, and is amendable through an act of the New Jersey State Legislature. In other words, Lakewood can also vote for its own unique style of government.
Even our neighboring township of Brick has a direct elect mayor with a 7 member council. Mind you, Brick is the 13th largest town in New Jersey, with only around 75,000 residents.
Yet with an eye on the very obvious vigorous growth Lakewood has underwent and seemingly is determined to undergo, a resolution should be taken up at once to implement a local government type with an eye on the future. I’m not saying we need a larger governing body than the 9 council members and 1 mayor of Newark (the still yet largest city in New Jersey (though I wonder for how much longer!) with 277,000 living there, or the second largest city, Jersey City, with a similar style government as that of Newark. But why not on par with them? After all, we are beginning to look like a big city just like them. I’d like to point out finally, that even Woodbridge, the city directly bigger then Lakewood, had a direct elect mayor with a 9 member city council.
All in all, I think we can certainly all agree, that it is high time that Lakewood shed its infancy style of ‘know the community by name’ government, and toe up to the proper standards that the Democratic Fathers’ envisioned for proper representation.
As for the proper forum to allow such initiative to ferment into real action, it won’t take too much. Simply put, one of our known or still yet unknown entrepreneur political activists seeking to fill one of the near future Lakewood City Council Seats will take up this call, take up this important mantle, and make a name for himself by so doing. It is not a difficult thing to seek a township referendum- certainly one that every single voter would appreciate and advocate for.
One personal recommendation I would make would be to perhaps seek to institute 11 or maybe even 15 seats on the Lakewood City Council. As Lakewood is by far the most diverse city in New Jersey, if not the United States, and surely will require every voice to be heard.
My blessings to all who heed this call and my best wish for success, you surely have my vote.
I remember whan the “Yeshiva List” was one page!
how do we get this done?
why are we a city ? a city has a trafic light at every corner and lakewood for some reason doesnt , even thought it needs it badly wherther you agree to it or not ,therfore it would seem that we arent a city yet
Hey former Lkwd Kid!
So do I!
I recently told my kids that the Lakewood Directory used to be only 1 or 2 pages long. My daughter looked at me quizzically and said “how did they fit all those names on two pages:??!!
please dont turn Lakewood into Brooklyn, we all ran away from NY for that reason. I enjoy the quiet streets at night and the country smells.
The 5 seat committee is working fine. More representation costs more money. Leave well enough alone.
Quote “Abraham Lincoln understood this so well as well, when he proclaimed in summarization ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people’.”
WOW what a great concept to bad that has been long forgotten by most politicians
i fully agree with the author!!
atleast let the township acknowledge we are a city, either way we will have to pay for things, so lets adopt what is needed is a 3 year plan to bring the needed services or equiptment. Things cost more tommorrow than today, so plan now and budget for tommorrow. Those running for office claim to be on top of things, so lets see it instead of just running the mouth, i cut taxes.
If it ain’t broke don’t mess with it.
Can you imagine 11 people trying to agree on doing something. If you want city government go back to NYC and leave us pineys alone!!
I’ve been here since the yeshiva list was one page, but even though Lakewood has grown tremendously, it still has that small town feel, which I think is good. It’s good to have an approachable gov’t. that you feel you know personally when you have a problem you want addressed. In a big city you don’t have that. I think the gov’t. of Lakewood is fine the way it is. And I don’t want more traffic lights except by Pine St. and Martin Luther Dr. Also since traffic is heavier at certain times of the day, the traffic lights should work on sensors and when there is less traffic the lights should go on and off accordingly so cars don’t have to wait at a red light when no cars are coming the other way.
#3- Sorry but normal cities do not hav traffic lights at evry corner.
#5 oh well it’s too late Lakewood is already looking like Brooklyn thanks to the growth in population which continues to grow every day.
Newark Nj whichhas a population of 220,000 people has amtrak, nj transit commuter trains and buses plus a local subway and a local light rail system and a comprehensive local bus system Lakewood has nothing
Are you suggesting change for the sake of change alone?
The question should be: is there anything lacking in the form of government we have now?
And I think that, no, the system we have is fine.
it looks like you know what you’re talken about
but who has patience to read
long articles should be prefaced with bullet points
To #3- Traffic Light: I guess according to your definition, places such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Seattle, Houston, etc are all not cities since they don’t “have a traffic light at every corner”? You must only be familiar with cities such as Brooklyn. The number or placement of traffic lights does not define whether a place is a city. the population, presence of commerce, etc is what defines whether it is a “city” or “town.”
#11 You say that you want to have an approachable gov’t. But now, each committeeman represents all 100,000 Lakewood residents. Not so approachable.
But if there were a ward system, even if the number of committee members would remain the same, each member would represent 20,000 residents (fewer if the number of members increases as well)
I don’t understand why the author of this post did not push for a ward system. That change is even more important to represent our growing population than increasing the number of politicians.
We are not the 7th largest city…we are just the most congested!
Lakewood is not considered a “CITY” in the state of NJ Still considered a township…can you imagine if they were to get city taxes and have to have city services??
Lakewood must stop the expansion. Our infrastructure and water system cannot accommodate many more people. We should stop the development of new homes and encourage newcomers to buy existing property and rejuvenate them. This will get rid of the slumlord property and improve the appearance of the town and property values. The form of government we now have is fine for our needs. Let’s hope this does not become another Brooklyn.
Go easy on the “mind you’s” my friend..
I agree we have to start thinking like a city, ie more traffic lights on RT 9 particular in the yeshiva area and public transportation needs like a light rail. Maybee the existing rail tracks now that bisects lakewood would be a good start it covers the are where large families live with a lot of children that will utilize it . Its time to start thinking big. I love lakewood
“Newark Nj whichhas a population of 220,000 people has amtrak, nj transit commuter trains and buses plus a local subway and a local light rail system and a comprehensive local bus system Lakewood has nothing”
so move to Newark !!!
Agree with #21 stop building !!!! Enough is enough ,the town can’t take much more.