Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles paid a special visit to Yeshiva Nachlei Torah on Swarthmore Avenue to discuss his career and the inner workings of local government.
Nearly 200 students from the Yeshiva’s upper elementary division listened intently as the Mayor shared fascinating vignettes of his arrival to Lakewood in the 1980s; his quarter-century career in local government; and the unprecedented growth and metamorphosis that Lakewood has experienced during this time period.
Students were given the opportunity to ask the Mayor any question on their minds, including requests for infrastructure changes on the streets they reside on. Among the topics covered were traffic, parking, taxes, school funding, public safety and Lakewood’s expected transition from township to city.
The Mayor explained these often complex topics in simple, easy-to-understand language that gave students a unique understanding of government and public policy.
“It was inspiring to see our young generation being so inquisitive about life in our Town; and to hear their ideas about how to make things even better,” says Mayor Coles. “No doubt, their continued civic engagement will contribute immeasurably towards Lakewood life in the years and decades ahead.”
“On behalf of our students, I would like to thank Mayor Coles for taking the time to interact on such a personal level with our students,” says Rabbi Azriel Applegrad, Principal. “While serving as Mayor as one of the largest municipalities in our State, the Mayor showed an incredible amount of patience and warmth towards some of his youngest constituents. Both our faculty members and students greatly appreciate that; and will be talking about this event for a while!”