Moshe Raitzik issued the following exclusive statement to TLS readers:

To the Lakewood Community,

Thank you to everyone who voted for me on June 2nd. As you know, I’m running because Lakewood needs safer streets, accountability, and open government. In the primary, you showed these are indeed your priorities too. If you elect me in November, I plan to deliver on them.

As someone who’s served on the Board of Ed, Planning Board, and now Fire Commissioner, I see what is working and what isn’t in Lakewood. Three issues I’m acutely aware of keep coming up:

1. School safety: Without sidewalks, Cross Street isn’t safe for children walking to and from school. The state says many children live “too close” for busing. I’ll vote to bus them anyway. Our kids’ safety isn’t optional.

2. Accountability and traffic: Call about a broken sidewalk, dead streetlight, or traffic throughout the day? You deserve a case number and follow-up. As Fire Commissioner, I see how traffic jams slow emergency response. I’ll vote to ensure every town request gets tracked and followed up on, and make the traffic fixes to keep roads moving for residents and first responders.

3. Open government: Committee meetings are conducted exclusively online, and residents are limited to mere minutes to speak. I’ll push to move meetings back to town hall so you can look your elected officials in the eye. If you show up, you get heard.

I’m grateful for your support, and I will continue working to keep it.