[By Avi Solomon]
Lakewood, NJ – Hershel Herskowitz has never held a political office before and in many respects is an idealist. Furthermore, he is running against an opponent, Senator Bob Singer, who is powerful, politically connected, and has the support of the Lakewood VAAD. In light of this I have been asked why I support Hershel Herskowitz’s bid for the Republican nomination for township committee.
I admit that most of what I’ve learned about political science at Rutgers University indicates that Hershel doesn’t stand a chance. Nevertheless, I feel he is what Lakewood needs right now. Many others have run in recent Lakewood elections promising to oppose the establishment that has supported higher property taxes and corrupt politics only to sign up for membership with the establishment once they got in office. Hershel is the first candidate that I don’t believe is running for office to become friends with those in power. Instead, he has expressed his desire to expose those in office who are corrupt. If Hershel lives up to his promise he’ll become the most hated man in Lakewood by those with influence and power. He has already had politicians in Lakewood give the green light to the public works department to target him with any fine they can in regards to his toy store for minor violations that everyone commits such as having his boxes out 2 hours to early.
The reason I’m voting for Hershel is because I believe Lakewood desperately needs a man who wants to oppose the establishment while running for office and also while in office. Lakewood doesn’t need someone who wants to be in office so that he can have his face in local newspapers and be the guy everyone wants to schmooze with in shul. Lakewood needs someone who isn’t dreaming of becoming a state senator when Bob Singer retires in a few years or is forced from office. Lakewood needs a man who understands that the yeshiva doesn’t represent the sole interests of all residents in Lakewood. That is why I support and will vote for Hershel Herskowitz.
I realize that in spite of this he might still lose. Nevertheless, I want my support and vote for Hershel to let freedom or at least the hope of freedom to ring from shul top to shul top in Lakewood once more.
NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.
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One Response
Avi: As you spew your distain for the Vaad, why don’t you substantiate any of your conjectures? Is it some intuition you have -acquired in “Rutgers University”- that lets you surmise that Hershel is different. Get off it. He’s in it to feather his nest, just like the rest. And get of the Vaad. They have been there for all of us; and they will continue to be there.