Election Profile: Jeff Cantor For Marlboro Township Council

MARLBORO, NJ — Three seats are open on the Marlboro Township council and six candidates are running.

Republicans Antoinette Dinuzzo, Michael Milman and Juned Qazi will are facing off against incumbent Democrats Jeff Cantor, Scott Metzger and Carol Mazzola.

Cantor has been a resident of Marlboro for 27 years and is also currently on the Marlboro Local Emergency Planning Council.

He served for 32 years in the US Army and Army Reserve and retired at the rank of Colonel and has run multinational operations across different continents.

Why are you seeking reelection?

I was originally asked to run for council upon my return from Iraq in 2004. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Marlboro since that time, under two different administrations.

What are some of the most important issues facing the Marlboro community and what are you planning to do about it?

I have called Marlboro home for 27 years. During that time, I have seen my fair share of overdevelopment. I have more acres preserved as open space than any other council person in the history of Marlboro. I believe in preserving open space and would love to continue to do so. One issue in which we continue to fight is the affordable housing overdevelopment mandates. The state has mandated that we build affordable housing in town. There is nothing wrong with having affordable housing as we want the next generation of teachers, cops, nurses, etc live in our great town. But when the state comes in and says we need to build over 1,500 affordable housing units, which needs to be mixed in with market rate units, that means we are relegated to build thousands of homes here in Marlboro. I will continue to fight this unfair mandate, but at the same token, we need to be smart about development. We always must take into account the impact on schools, roads, businesses, etc. The council on affordable housing and their mandates are unfair to the residents of Marlboro.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I served 32 years in the US Army & Army Reserve and retired at the rank of Colonel. I have run multinational operations across different continents. I have brought former war-torn countries together to help solve problems. I have helped countries with anti-terrorism operations and how to deal with the migrant flow. I have also been a council member for many years so I fully understand local government and its relationship with county and state government.

Is there anything else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My platform has never changed since being elected after returning from Iraq. It has always been to take care of our residents. I do my best to help residents with issues affecting them in the township. I try to help them solve problems that they are currently experiencing. I am also on the Marlboro Local Emergency Planning Council, which looks at ways at protecting our residents in times of crisis and emergency. My favorite part of the job is when I can help a local resident with solving a problem they are experiencing.