Bergenfield—There are seven Shomer Shabbos candidates running in the upcoming election for Borough of Bergenfield Municipal County Committee, which is part of the 38th Congressional District. The candidates are all running as Democratic representatives to the County Committee, though party affiliation is not relevant at this local level, said Shimmy Stein, who is running alongside his wife Evelyn as an unopposed incumbent.
The County Committee nominates candidates for office and serves as representatives at local conventions. “We want to nominate candidates who share our interests. We want to keep spending down and services up—quality of life issues. On a local level, Democrats and Republicans have the same needs: clean, safe streets, garbage collection, and the like. We don’t vote at the county level on controversial national issues,” he said.
The community in Bergenfield looks much different than it did 20 years ago, Stein said, and it’s important that the committee reflects the values of current residents. “We want the diverse community to be properly represented,” he added.
There are 17 County Committee districts in Bergenfield, and 34 representatives. Each district has a male and a female representative, not uncommonly a married couple like the Steins. “Districts 10, 11, 12 and 13 are heavily populated by Shomer Shabbos members of the community,” said Stein.
Stein and Evelyn are incumbents in district 10, encompassing the area around Congregation Beth Abraham. Congregation Ohr HaTorah, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky’s shul, is part of district 11, and the candidates running there are Rabbi Steven Burg and Cindy Wiesel, who are also unopposed incumbents. The area around the Beis Midrash of Bergenfield (BMOB) is district 13, and running as an unopposed incumbent in that district is Stacy Horowitz. West of BMOB, across New Bridge Road from Congregation Beth Abraham, said Stein, is district 12, where Aryeh and Arielle Sheinbein have an uphill race running against incumbents.
“Anyone who lives in district 12, it’s very important that you get out and vote,” Stein said.
“All you need is 18 votes and you have a majority in the committee. We don’t have a majority right now,” Stein said.
Stein, who owns a plumbing business in Manhattan, also serves as chairman of the Bergenfield Zoning Board of Adjustment in addition to the County Committee. He has been serving for almost 13 years, and has served as both a Republican and a Democrat.
In this particular race for Democratic County Committee, only Democrats and undeclared voters are allowed to vote. Once undeclared voters vote in a Democratic primary, they become registered as Democrats.
The election is set to take place on June 3rd, Erev Shavuos, so anyone who will be out of town is encouraged to contact Borough Hall to pick up an absentee ballot, which must be received seven days prior to the election. Visit this link to download an absentee ballot request: http://www.bergenfield.com/departments-offices/borough-clerk/elections-a-voting-mainmenu-79/absentee-ballot-mainmenu-83.html
By Elizabeth Kratz
