A VOTE FOR MOSHE RAITZIK IS A VOTE FOR THE LAKEWOOD TAXPAYER

Lakewood voters have choices at the ballot.

R' Moshe Raitzik is running as a republican for a seat on the Township Committee.

R' Moshe currently serves on the Board of Education, and he previously served on the Planning Board until this year when he was swapped by the Township Committee in favor of Yechiel Herzel.

Drawing from years of public service and community involvement, including a five-year tenure on the Planning Board and a long career as an educator, Raitzik - who is determined to bring a fresh perspective to the town’s leadership - is campaigning on a platform of transparent governance, responsible growth, and enhanced public services. His goal is to ensure Lakewood residents have more input in decision-making processes that impact their everyday lives.

R' Moshe has a proven track record of fighting for "how can we do this even better."

Back in March 2022, the Planning Board was presented with an application for a large child care center at 220 Newport Avenue. The application was contentious with numerous neighbors presenting pedestrian, traffic safety and congestion concerns, especially as many parents would be driving down the narrow road for pick-up and drop-offs. R' Moshe echoed many of the same traffic flow concerns expressed by the neighbors. This led to numerous concessions by the applicant as well as by future applications on this road.

As previously reported here on FAA News, following a fiasco where the Township's Engineering Department granted a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy despite not having met the Planning Board's conditions for a Certificate of Occupancy, R' Moshe jumped in and stipulated that the next application can not get even a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy until the Board's conditions have been met.

As previously reported here on FAA News, following Judge Ford's ruling that dormitories are not a permitted use in Lakewood's residential neighborhoods, R' Moshe voted to deny Migdal Bais Yaakov's application for a dormitory.

As previously reported here on FAA News, R' Moshe voted against Bais Reuven Kaminetz's contentious reconsideration.

As previously reported here on FAA News, R' Moshe expressed concern with voting on an application that does not provide circulation for fire trucks.

As previously reported here on FAA News, R' Moshe was very vocal against developers seeking to quietly get approval for changes to already approved applications without notifying the neighbors of the change requests.

As previously reported here on FAA News, R' Moshe did not sit quietly on the contentious Kollel Kodshim application.

As previously reported here on FAA News, R' Moshe advocated heavily for the neighbors on the contentious Sunset Road Sefardic shul application.

On the contrary, Yechiel Herzel pushes to waive sidewalk requirements for schools and for the Planning Board to concede to a developer's demands to withdraw from appealing an overturn of their denial.

Last year, the Committee increased taxes $4 million after giving $4 million in freebie tax cuts for their commercial buddies. This year, the Committee did a double take and increased taxes $8 million (and gave another $6 million in more freebie tax cuts for their commercial buddies).

In addition to his public roles, Raitzik balances a busy schedule with a deep sense of dedication to education and Torah learning. He spends his mornings studying at Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG) and works as a teacher in the afternoons. He believes that his dual role as an educator and student speaks to his strong ties to both the spiritual and practical aspects of the Lakewood community. His experience in education, on the Lakewood BOE and as a teacher, has further shaped his view on the needs of Lakewood's families, particularly in terms of education and safety for children.

One of the key issues Raitzik highlighted is the need to bring Township Committee meetings back to in-person formats. “Many people in Lakewood don’t have access to computers at home,” he said, explaining that the current reliance on Zoom meetings limits public participation. He aims to restore the openness of meetings, a move he believes would mirror the Board of Education’s return to in-person sessions and ensure better community involvement.

Drawing on his time on the Planning Board from 2019 to 2023, Raitzik is a strong proponent of ensuring that Lakewood’s growth is balanced with proper infrastructure. He pointed to several instances where the Planning Board’s decisions were overturned by courts due to the Township Committee’s lax regulations, leading to concerns about safety and sustainability. "Many residents attend planning board meetings to voice concerns about safety and privacy in their neighborhoods," Raitzik explained. "But the Planning Board’s hands are often tied because the construction is technically in compliance with the township’s master plan."

Raitzik therefore stressed the importance of updating the Township’s master plan to address these issues. He also emphasized that the master plan needs to be updated to make sure that the township's infrastructure can accommodate its growth. “We need infrastructure improvements now, and it’s really not happening at the pace that it should,” he said. He emphasized that new development should not proceed unless infrastructure like roads and utilities are in place to support it.

In addition to growth concerns, Raitzik highlighted the need for improved busing services, especially for children who attend schools on hazardous roads without sidewalks. He proposed that the Township take on greater responsibility for hazardous road busing, which is different from courtesy busing. “It’s not safe for pedestrians, especially children, to walk to school without sidewalks,” he said, urging the Township to cover the costs of busing on these unsafe roads.

Throughout the interview, Raitzik stressed the importance of voter engagement. “Too many people say, ‘Why should I vote? There’s no choice anyway.’ But every person’s vote matters,” he said. Raitzik hopes that his campaign will inspire more residents to participate in the voting process, especially with the upcoming presidential election.

The Township Committee race also includes Menashe Miller, a fellow Republican, and Democratic candidates Meir Lichtenstein and Salvatore Frascino. Raitzik believes that his fresh perspective and hands-on experience in public service make him uniquely qualified for the role. With a focus on practical solutions and an open-door approach to governance, he hopes to make Lakewood a safer and more efficient place for all its residents.

In sum, Raitzik's campaign revolves around the principles of safety, transparency, and public engagement—values he believes will help guide Lakewood through its next phase of growth while preserving the well-being of its citizens.

A vote for Moshe Raitzik is truly a vote for the taxpayer.

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