Marlboro Council Candidates: Jeff Cantor

Marlboro Patch asked for your questions, and compiled some of our own, for the six candidates running for Township Council this November in Marlboro Township.

Each candidate answered the same questions. Due to scheduling conflicts with the candidates, the questions were sent via email to Scott Metzger, Craig Marshall, Marielaina LaRosa and Bob Knight. Marlboro Patch met in person with Jeff Cantor and Carol Mazzola.

Candidates were asked to answer the questions individually, not as one ticket. Candidate responses were not edited.

Marlboro Patch will run each candidate's answers before the Nov. 5 election. 

Candidate: Jeff Cantor, Incumbent Democrat

Reader question #1: What are your motivations for running for elected office?

I’ve now been in office for eight years, and I’ve had the opportunity to really see how government works, especially municipal government. I’m really intrigued by how I get to help out in the whole process, to help residents. I want to continue to help residents throughout my tenure as a councilman.

Reader question #2: What are your new ideas for Marlboro Township?

First of all, it’s my goal to create a really beautiful downtown area, and I would model if after what Westfield looks like, because I really like Westfield. I think Marlboro could absolutely build something like that and have a really great central area for people to go to.

I’d also like to focus on maintaining a really strong and balanced budget, because obviously that’s important to keep tax rates down. We have to look at better ways to pave the roads in town, because that’s a big job that needs to continue to be worked on and there are new technologies that are coming out that I want to take a look at, to see if maybe we can save money and pave more roads.

Reader question #3:What kinds of people are you looking for to be appointed to local boards and committees?

Reader question #4: What do you think is the most efficient means of communication between the council and the residents?

It’s expensive to mail letter out to 40,000 people. The most efficient way to do it is through social media, that’s the best way to get it out. Unfortunately, not everyone belongs [to social media sites] so the message doesn’t get out to everyone.

#5. What are some of your ideas to make the best of a bad situation, such as the Northpointe Development, which the township is legally bound to build. What ideas would you have to improve that area and cushion the blow?  

We’ve been fighting Northpointe for about 30 years now, since the 1980’s. We’ve been trying to push this off as long as possible because nobody in municipal government wanted to see a Northpointe come into Marlboro. Unfortunately, we’re forced to deal with this by law.

#6. Marlboro is seeing big business come back to the township, what are some of your ideas to make Marlboro Township business friendly to everyone from the local mom and pop shops to big box stores?

#7. The Marlboro Motor Lodge has become a scene for crime and drug related activities, what are your ideas to clean that area up? How can the township get involved?

If you’re allowing in a caliber of people that have a higher propensity for crime, clearly there will be a need for more police involvement. We need to make sure we’re not housing those types of people there.

#8. Pick something you'd like to improve in the township and tell us how you would.

Being on council, it’s hard to think of one thing you can focus on because we’re just so involved. But if I was to focus on one thing, it would be ‘How can I make life better for the residents of Marlboro?’

I would prioritize those efforts based upon that premise. For me, it would be a downtown center, balanced budgets and stable taxes and making sure our kids have the best resources, education and the best of everything they possibly can in our township.

#9. What areas of the township budget would you like to improve, and how?

Obviously, there’s two sides to the budget: revenues and spending. Jon has done a tremendous job of cutting municipal spending, and I think the way to really focus on improving the process is maybe looking at increasing shared services. Ways that we can bring in additional revenue.

#10. How does your experience in your life translate to public service?