FORKED RIVER, NJ: Barry Bendar has been in Lacey Township for over thirty years. He has seen a lot of changes throughout the years, but nothing like what is being discussed now.

Bendar, the Green Party candidate for Lacey Township Committee, is voicing concern over the town looking to build over 300-plus units in two spots along Route 9. “The plans are to put hundreds of new units along a two-lane road that is never going to be widened,” says Bendar. “You’re going to need a helicopter to travel Route 9.” Bendar contends such plans will diminish the quality of life long-time residents have cherished and enjoyed. Bendar points to the traffic jams that already take place in numerous pockets of Route 9 as a reason to rethink the building projects…not to mention the stress on utilities and services if they are built.

The campaign is making the case Bendar is the right voice to elect to the Committee as such a voice will lead to diversity in appointments to entities like the Township Planning Board. Bendar, himself, argues voters should consider voting for him over the Democratic challengers to the all-Republican members because he has been more civically-engaged compared to them. “I regularly attend and speak at Township meetings,” declares Bendar. “I rarely, if ever, see them [Democratic candidates] there…you only see or hear from them at election time.”

Bendar claims he not only voices his concerns, but other concerned residents as well. The Green Party candidate is running to be the voice of the taxpayer, as he declares the Township Committee is not prioritizing what residents say needs to be done. “There are other projects residents would like to see done…sooner rather than later,” says Bendar. “Unfortunately, the Township Committee, their business associates, and maybe their political handlers want to use the taxpayer’s money to enrich themselves.”