On Tuesday morning, the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce hosted a special “Mayors and Coffee” breakfast at the Harrogate Retirement Community on Locust Street.

Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles; Manchester Mayor Joseph Hankins; Ocean County Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert Arace; and Lacey Township Committeeman Peter Curatolo; discussed top agenda items on the region’s governmental docket. Dozens of area business and governmental leaders – including members of Lakewood’s Police and Fire Departments – were at the event as well, fostering relationships and discussing pertinent issues.

The Chamber’s Executive Director, Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller, was out of town as part of his U.S. Air Force Chaplain duties. Chamber President Justin Flancbaum served as the breakfast’s emcee – and warmly greeted the participants.

Commissioner Bacchione shared exciting advances in the County’s educational opportunities, particularly at Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) and its dental training program. Commissioner Bacchione also spoke of the enormous progress made on improving roads and other infrastructure throughout the County, including substantial progress in the Cross Street area of Lakewood.

Commissioner Arace spoke proudly of the County’s efforts to encourage and subsidize the training of new EMTs, particularly among high school students. He shared that there has been a clear increase in the number of newly trained EMTs in the County, including many who do their lifesaving work as unpaid volunteers. Commissioner Arace also spoke proudly of various upgrades to the Ocean Ride transportation system and the County’s beautiful parks.

Manchester Mayor Hankins welcomed his peers and the many accomplishments they’ve brought to municipalities throughout the region. In particular, the mayor heralded the training of local young EMTs as a “win-win” for both the students and the general public.

Mayor Coles of Lakewood reminisced about the quarter-century milestone of his service on the Township Committee. In particular, he noted the fiscal challenges the Township is facing this year; and vowed to work together with his colleagues in the region to ensure that Lakewood and surrounding towns receive their fair share of State funding in the future.

The mayor stressed that the Lakewood Township Committee is comprised of both Republicans and Democrats, but all members share a common goal. “This has been an amazing journey that I never even dreamt I would be privileged to travel,” said Mayor Coles. “We are one family. We face challenges as a team; and will continue working together to overcome them on behalf of the people of Lakewood.”