Election Profile: Bashir Mohammad For Manalapan Twp Committee

MANALAPAN, NJ - One seat is up for grabs on the Manalapan Township Committee this year, and two candidates have filed for a spot, according to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

Incumbent Barry Jacobson, a Republican, will be running for his current seat in 2021. Democrat Bashir Mohammad will be challenging Jacobson for his spot. Read more about Jacobson's campaign platform here.

Mohammad is a 15-year resident of Manalapan, father of two and a founder and manager of the Healthcare Training Institute in Union. He attended medical school in Ukraine where he served as president of both the student body and the South Asian American Association.

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Why are you seeking a seat on the Manalapan Township Committee:

The incumbent's approach seems to be, “Business as usual is fine. We don't need to change anything.” If this was correct then they would not have cut trash removal and recycling removal in half. Garbage pickup is now one day per week, recycling pickup is now one day every other week. The trash smells. It attracts insects, mice, raccoons, and other animals. Furthermore, it is a health crisis issue in our town because the dirty garbage will be floating everywhere, even though we are paying high property taxes compared to other towns.

This affects everyone. If I was on the committee, then I would have fought this tooth and nail.

God help you if you forget or are late taking out the trash and/or recycling.

We have options, however. We can choose to pay extra for the Same Service we used to get. This is, obviously, a tax increase.

Meanwhile, seniors are moving out and many of our adult children can't afford to move in, unless they live with their parents.

If elected, I will always present the facts on all sides of an issue in a transparent manner. I will listen to concerns from every perspective, from every angle, including opposing views.

What is the single most pressing issue facing Manalapan and what will you do about it?

There is no single most pressing issue.

There is a major immediate issue – trash and recycling collection, which I have discussed.

In addition, our children and grandchildren need to be challenged in school, need training in STEM, Science, Technology, English, and Math, as well as the arts, music, and sports, and need to be engaged in the curriculum. Good teachers need to be rewarded. This, however, is the responsibility of the Board of Education, not the Township Committee. So while I would not able to address this issue directly, I would make sure the Board of Education understands how my constituents feel and what they think.

And our adult children need to be able to afford to move too and live in Manalapan.

I believe we should be expanding recreational opportunities such as playgrounds, skate parks, after school activities for our children. And we must offer vocational opportunities for high school students and high school graduates.

Some of these can generate revenue. Vocational programs should be explored by the Board of Education and should be funded with NJ and federal aid. Students who graduate with technical skills should be able to support themselves and help their families, alleviating the burden on their parents whilst pursuing their dreams.

I would also like to use the town's Facebook page, or another app, to survey Manalapan's residents to better understand the needs of the community and grievances they might have.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the Township Committee?

I don't know where my opponent stands on anything other than “Business as usual is great.” And I disagree.

I also hold the same positions I held last year on renewable energy, methane, and energy efficiency. I believe we need to move forward with those technologies, and leverage the technologies, and electric car chargers, to generate revenue for Manalapan.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Streamlining Regulatory Compliance. The Zoning Board and the Planning Board should facilitate development, not obstruct it.

As we discussed last year, we should be investigating the use of solar energy on public properties and using the methane generated at the WMUA sewage treatment facilities for electricity. It shouldn’t only be used to “cook” the sewage or for heat in the winter at the WMUA facility.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the Township Committee?

I came to the United States with nothing except my education. I worked as a laborer and night cook for minimum wage. Within a few years I was able to co-find the ACCSC accredited Healthcare Training Institute. I am very proud of the fact that we train 100 to 200 people per year who are very productive citizens. I am an active volunteer in the ACCSC, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. As such, I visit other schools twice per year to verify that they operate in compliance with regulations and standards as set by the ACCSC, US DOE, NJDOE, NJDOL, and other accreditors.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Victoria and I got married when we were students. Our son was born in the USSR. Because he was not “pure Russian” he had a rough time in preschool and kindergarten. He faced bullying from other students and discrimination from teachers. When I returned to Pakistan with my Russian wife and Russian son things were worse. The Mujahadin was fighting the Soviet army. Anyone associated with Russia was “the enemy.” As doctors we were visible with absolutely no protection. We were targeted for kidnapping and assassination.

The best advice was “Go to America.” America was the only place on earth we could be accepted. While the circumstances that forced us to leave our homes are sad, neither my wife nor I have ever regretted our decision.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a first generation American and a self-made man. I set my goals and work hard to achieve them. After starting Healthcare Training Institute in 1998, I now have 15 employees. Together, we graduate 100 to 200 medical professionals each year; 100 to 200 people who go on to serve their community.

In Healthcare Training Institute we look several years down the road; on the Township Committee we must look 10 to 20 to 50 years into the future. Because “business as usual” should not cost us tomorrow.