By DON STINE
Three incumbent Iinterlaken Borough Council members, including the mayor, are running unopposed in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election. All three are Republicans.
Mayor Michael Nohilly is running for a his second four-year term as mayor and incumbents Robert White and Mervin Franks are running for three-year terms. Nohilly previously served a three-year term as a councilman.
The mayor serves a four-year term in Interlaken. No Democrats are in the race.
“I’m running for a second term simply because I care about keeping Interlaken peaceful, quiet, and with everyone’s views appreciated and valued,” Nohilly said.
He said the borough has a very professional council today and that he looks forward to working with them.
“I’d like to continue to work with them to repair our roads, protect our great services, and to keep our taxes as low as possible by watching our spending closely,” he said.
White, who is seeking his third full term and is council president, said he is running because he wants to continue the good work that the council has been doing.
“We are on the right path and have a cohesive council. I am looking forward to getting a lot more accomplished,” he said.
He cited major street improvement projects, renovations at the tennis courts and park, and addressing the Loch Arbour consolidation proposal as important issues handled in the past.
“Down the road we will be faced with street improvements, water infiltration into the sewer system, and maintaining the tax rate,” he said.
Franks is seeking his first three-year term after fillling the unexpired term of former Councilman Tom Morley, who resigned in August, 2014.
Franks, who has lived in the borough for 21 years, said he wants to keep Interlaken “the lovely town it has been in the past and for many years to come.”
“Residents that have reached out to me found me to be open to their concerns. I have worked tirelessly for residents on many issues and will continue to do so on their behalf,” he said.
Franks has been active Planning Board, Recreation Committee, and is Coordinator for The Office of Emergency Management.
All candidates said that the council has kept the tax rate either flat or with minimal increases over the past four years while still providing services.
Also, two three-year seats are up for grabs on the Board of Education but only one candidate, newcomer Michelle Michelle Helies, will be on the ballot.
“The second board member could be a write-in or appointed by the board,” Board Business Administrator Susanne O’Halloran said.
Board President Joann Weeden and Vice President Karen Watt are not seeking reelection.
