Election 2022: Brian Foster, Holmdel Township Committee

HOLMDEL, NJ — Republican Brian Foster is one of four candidates seeking two, full-term seats on the Holmdel Township Committee in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them. Patch is publishing individual profiles leading up to the election.

Foster was recently appointed to the Holmdel Township Committee to fill the spot vacated by the deputy mayor who resigned for business reasons. Foster said he has served the township in many roles, including on the Board of Education, and he would like the opportunity to serve on the Township Committee. He cites community safety and offering for more services for seniors in town among his priorities.

Read more from candidate Brian Foster:

Name: Brian Foster

Age: 48

Town of residence: Holmdel

Position sought: Holmdel Township Committee

Are you an incumbent or previous governing member? I am fulfilling the last couple of months of Independent Prakash Santhana's prior term, after he resigned.

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: https://kimlamountainbrianfosterforholmdeltownshipcommittee.com/

Family: Wife, Leslie; Turner, Liam, Elle and Keaton

Education: B.A. from SUNY Stonybrook

Occupation: Mortgage banker

Name the top issues currently facing your town and how you plan to address them.:

Safety is a top priority for me. Safety is one of the basic needs we provide on the township level. I'm lucky to have been appointed as the public safety liaison on the Holmdel Township Committee.

In this role, I have been able to work directly with the Holmdel Police and the Holmdel Fire Department. I support a strong analysis of our town and its needs, increase patrols where we can, and give the police the tools they need to combat crime.

We are already implementing additional ALPR stationary cameras. We need to keep the community engaged and vigilant on this matter, which is why I support the creation of outreach programs and a special safety task force committee. I want to create extra opportunities for the community to interact with their first responders.

Another priority is open space. How do we maintain our bucolic feel while still growing as a community? We have few spaces left in and around town and we need to adhere to our Master Plan, when considering their preservation.

Fiscal responsibility is also a priority for me. In this current economic climate we need to not only maintain our property tax levels instead of increasing them but we also need to evaluate our spending and borrowing. We need to focus on the current year and budget but also be able to look to the future and forecast for future years. We need to evaluate the current economic trends and plan ahead accordingly.

Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your town.:

I would like to offer more community events, especially around supporting our seniors and vets. We need to create special services for seniors, ways for them to socialize, ways for them to get around town, increase their access to local events and healthcare. I believe that creating things that will engage our community gives everyone the sense of belonging that we love about Holmdel.

I want to help develop the local small business community in town by showcasing them at events and creating an enhanced business network. I would like to support our local volunteers for fire and emergency services.

What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office.:

I have served Holmdel Township in multiple roles.

• I was a driver for the Holmdel EMS ambulance for seven years, which familiarized me with all the streets in town.
• I was a member of the Holmdel Planning board for five years, which included adopting the current master plan.
• I was a member of the Holmdel Board of Education and served as the chairman of the Budget and Finance committee, and the search for a new Superintendent during this tenure.
• I coached for HYAA for 11 years.

I have a lot of personal and business experience as well, but I feel that what has prepared me most for this role is my lifetime of service and volunteerism.

I understand how to run a business but I also know from my tenure on different boards how local government works as well. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Holmdel as a committeeman.

Candidates for the Holmdel Township Committee:

Full Term – Vote for Two:

• Kimberley LaMountain (Republican)
• Brian Foster (Republican)
• Rajesh Mohan (Independent)
• Julie Roth (Independent)

There are no Democrats running for office.