Election 2023: Ben Samara, Manalapan Township Committee

MANALAPAN, NJ — Ben Samara is the Democratic challenger in the race for Manalapan Township Committee in the Nov. 7 election.

Samara, of the Knob Hill section, is seeking his first term. The link to his campaign website is : http://samaraformanalapan.com. Social Media is: Facebook (@SamaraForManalapan); Instagram (@SamaraForManalapan). His email is: SamaraForManalapan@gmail.com.

Samara is challenging incumbents Mayor Susan Cohen and Committeeman John "Jack" P. McNaboe.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Samara cited specific areas he would like to see addressed by local government, including the area's cable service, trash collection and communication with residents, among other issues.

Read more from Ben Samara:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, government experience and personal background.

I have been a proud resident of Manalapan since 2009, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that our town remains a great place to live and raise a family.

As the father of a 10-year-old son who attends Manalapan-Englishtown schools, I want my son to grow up in a Manalapan that is known for its strong sense of community and a dedication to providing a high quality of life for all its residents. I believe that by working together, we can create a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all its members.

As an elementary school counselor, high school track and field coach, and former adjunct professor and individual student supervisor on the college level, I believe I bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table that make me an ideal candidate for the Manalapan Township Committee.

These roles have honed my abilities to listen, communicate effectively, collaborate, and build strong relationships with people from all walks of life. I believe that these skills will be invaluable in working with my fellow committee members and the residents of Manalapan to create a vibrant and inclusive community that we can all be proud of.

My experience as an elementary school counselor has given me a deep understanding of the needs of families, as well as the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children to grow and learn.

As a high school track coach, I fostered an environment full of teamwork, commitment, and perseverance, qualities that are essential to creating a strong and resilient community. At The College of New Jersey, I helped students navigate the complexities of higher education and the challenges of transitioning to adulthood, and I believe that this experience will be invaluable in helping to shape policies that address the needs of our young adults.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their municipality and to offer ideas on how the governing body might address them going forward.

Manalapan is an amazing town, but I believe that we face several significant challenges that our governing body must address going forward.

• First, the 2021 decision to cut trash and garbage collection with little to no warning left many residents - myself included - feeling frustrated and concerned. We cannot continue to move closer to privatization, which would take more money out of the pockets of residents. It's clear that this decision was made without adequate communication, transparency, and opportunities for resident feedback. As a member of the Township Committee, I would prioritize working to improve communication with and responsiveness to our residents while preserving trash collection services.
• We must also address the overdevelopment and overcrowding that is taking place in our community. We need to take a hard look at zoning and development policies to ensure that new projects are in line with the community's needs and values. I support measures to promote sustainable development, such as green building practices and preservation of open space.
• Additionally, we need to hold companies like Optimum accountable for providing a subpar product and terrible customer service to our community. Many residents - including a large part of my community in Knob Hill - have no other options for service and are forced to rely on Optimum for their internet needs. Other townships have successfully pursued legal action against Optimum, and we should explore all options to protect our residents' rights.
• Finally, we need to prioritize residents and make them feel included in the decision-making process. "Coffee with the Mayor" and posting photo-ops on Facebook are great things to help build community, but they aren't enough to move our township forward. I believe that residents should be provided with multiple, easily-accessible options to weigh in on issues and provide feedback about priorities for their town. I spoke with one resident recently who told me the road outside her home had not been paved in 37 years. This is unacceptable. We need to do better for our residents, and in 2023, with all of the technology we have at our fingertips, we can do better.

I am committed to addressing these and other issues facing Manalapan Township with transparency, accountability, and a focus on the needs and values of our community. I believe that by working together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Manalapan.

Candidates for Manalapan Township Committee (Full term; vote for two)

• Benjamin Samara (D) Monmouth County Democrats
• No Nomination Made (D) Monmouth County Democrats
• Susan Cohen (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• John "Jack" P. McNaboe (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at patricia.mcdaniel@patch.com for the email with candidate questions.