On the ballot November 2: charter study commission candidate Mike DuPont. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
Red Bank voters will have 11 candidates to choose from when they elect a five-member charter study commission November 2
Here’s what candidate Mike DuPont had to say in response to a questionnaire sent to all contenders by redbankgreen.
Michael DuPont
Age: 59
Address: 87 South Street
Length of residence: 30 years
Is Red Bank’s present form of government problematic?
Red Bank’s present form of government has been called “ancient” and “problematic” by its Mayor and Council. The Red Bank Charter Study Commission needs to review and determine if Red Bank’s present form of government hears and serves its residents. The Commission also needs to determine whether the Borough’s operation could be more economical and efficient under a changed form of government. The Commission needs to seek answers to questions like “are the day-to-day operations of the government handled effectively”, “does the present form of government provide adequate representation for all citizens”, “what are the major strengths and weaknesses of the present form of government”?
There is a clear perception by Red Bank residents that the current government does not serve the needs of the residents, their voices are not heard and transparency is lacking. The Commission needs to determine if it is because of the current form of government or the deafness of its leaders.
What would you bring to the table as a commission member?
I have been an attorney for over 35 years. I have represented Municipalities, Planning and Zoning Boards and Construction Board of Appeals. Additionally, I previously served as an elected official here in Red Bank for over nine (9) years. I also served on the Red Bank Zoning Board for 11 years and was a member of the Red Bank River Center Board. I believe that my experience as an attorney, volunteer and elected official here in Red Bank will add key insight and valuable understanding to the Red Bank Charter Study Commission. My experience will enable me to bring a wealth of knowledge and practical solutions to the Commission as well as allow me to be effectively advocate for the betterment of Red Bank and its citizens.
***** ELECTION GUIDE *****
• The election of the five-member charter study commission is on the ballot along with a referendum on whether the five-member commission should be formed to review Red Bank’s 113-year-old form of government.
Here’s the specific wording of the public question:
Shall a charter commission be elected to study the charter of the Borough of Red Bank and to consider a new charter or improvements in the present charter and to make recommendations thereon?
If the referendum passes, the commission’s eventual recommendation to the council could lead to change in the form of government used by Red Bank since 1908.
If the referendum fails, the election of the commissioners would be moot. Voters may choose candidates even if they vote ‘no’ on the question about the charter study.
• Find the Red Bank ballot here.
• For information on the various ways to cast your vote, check out this article. It includes information on mail-in ballots and early, in-person voting, which begins October 23.
Information about election-related deadlines is here.
• Monmouth County election offices (300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold Township) will offer extended hours to allow voters to apply for and drop off vote-by-mail ballots. The offices will be open on Friday, October 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, October 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• In-person, election day voting will take place at the polling stations shown below. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Note that in-person, election day voting for residents of the 1st and 8th districts will take place at borough hall (90 Monmouth Street).
• Finally, here’s a video on using Monmouth County’s new digital voting machines, which employ touchscreen technology familiar to users of smartphones and tablets:
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