Fair Haven’s race to fill two three-year Borough Council seats up for grabs pits incumbent candidates, Democrats Mike McCue and Meghan Chrisner-Keefe, native Fair Havenites, against newcomers, Republicans Kristen Hoey and Andrew LaBarbera.

Here is R-FH Retro’s chat with incumbent candidate Mike McCue …

Name, Age, Street Address: Mike McCue, 38, 11 William Street, Fair Haven

How long have you been a Fair Haven resident? If you left and came back, when and why?

I was born and raised in Fair Haven. I left for my service in the Marine Corps, stationed at Camp Lejeune and served 2 tours in Iraq. After my service was complete, I returned home to Fair Haven, where I knew I wanted to stay and raise my family.

Where did you grow up? What one quality about your hometown do you see in Fair Haven? If you grew up in Fair Haven, what one thing would you like to see return or revert? What one thing has changed for the better? 

Growing up in Fair Haven was just as special as it is today. There is no other place I would want to raise my kids. Being able to see my kids attend the same schools I went to and take part in the same town traditions is so special. The spirit of volunteerism is something that I saw growing up and have been involved in, and that is what Fair Haven is built upon and still runs through the fabric of the community.

The one thing I would like to see return is the diversity that Fair Haven was founded upon. Fair Haven had a free black community in town prior to the Civil War. Descendants of this community still reside in town and surrounding towns. Throughout the years, Fair Haven has also seen a diverse economic background, this is something I would like to see remain. 

Something that has changed for the better in recent years is a more diverse voice on the Fair Haven Council. Having the first contested Mayor’s race in recent memory and having a more evenly represented Council is important to bring balance and ensure healthy discussion on issues that are important to all Fair Haven residents.

Is there an issue in Fair Haven that you feel needs to be addressed that has been too low a priority in your eyes? Something you think is prioritized too much at present? 

The issue of the facilities being in overdue need of repair is something we have worked hard to bring up to speed in the last couple of years. Early on, we scrapped plans to acquire new property for a costly Borough Hall and Police Station. We’ve moved to focus on the more needed Police Station and Department of Public Works. Both the PD and DPW were in great need of getting new buildings and I am proud to say we are awaiting the final plans after listening to public and expert input.

What is the focal point of your campaign for re-election? Which issue would you like to see through to effective resolution? Which new issue would you like to tackle?

I hope to gain re-election to continue the work we’ve been doing on Council. First, seeing the PD and DPW projects through and making sure these projects get done. Also, seeing through the road and sidewalk projects we have ongoing and using our knowledge we gained during our tenure to approach these projects in the most fiscally responsible way. We have been able to secure grants for multiple projects and hope to do the same for future projects.

As Board of Education liaison, I look forward to working with the BOE and working to strengthen the partnership between the BOE and the town. With my experience as a teacher and having worked with the Rumson Police Department on behalf of Holy Cross Academy to develop the school’s emergency response, this role and partnership makes good use of my skills and knowledge. We have a great working relationship and I am excited to continue to support the BOE in any way that I can moving forward.

Tell us about your educational and professional backgrounds and area of expertise. What about your profession or area of study in college is a little-known, NOT OBVIOUS, fact that will make you a stronger public servant? 

I was educated in our great Fair Haven Schools and at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and classmates with Meg Chrisner-Keefe. I went on to serve in the Marines and serve in Iraq. I returned and attended Georgian Court University, with a BA in Education and History, and studied at American Public University in the Masters program for History.

During my service in the military, I was responsible for the logistical movements of units and supplies, nationally and internationally. I had strong working relationships with civilian contractors, commanders and local governments to facilitate the movement of the units and supplies. Some may not know that during my service, I was called to coordinate the allocation of resources from various units during the mission of support in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

What do you consider the most negative aspect of your personality? How do you think that could be positive attribute that would benefit the public in your capacity as a public servant? For instance: A stubborn streak could be seen as tenacity or passion in issues and fuel getting the job done. 

It is in my nature to be friends with everyone and support everyone in their ideas and what they want to achieve. This is something that I keep in mind during serving on council.

I continue to support everyone but also make sure to voice my opinion and share my knowledge if I believe something will not work or could be done in a better way. I consider everyone I serve with and work with friends, and make sure to disagree and share my opinion in a respectful and productive way.

Council candidates: Which governing body representative (council, township committee, city council, etc … member) who serves or has served in any NJ municipality do you admire most? Why? 

I admire everyone I currently serve with. Everyone comes together to do what they feel is best for the town we all love and reside in. Everyone generously donates their time and effort to the town and we work together to get things done. Whether it’s a career, family, or other volunteer commitments, I admire everyone’s dedication to our town and am proud to be a part of it.

It’s obvious that Fair Haven is a suburban utopia of sorts. What atypical imperfection in the borough attracted you to it? 

Growing up in Fair Haven and living here now, I see it as the perfect place to live and raise a family. It’s the small town and sense of community that draws new people to Fair Haven and has other people, like me, never leave.

We have the best of everything: a quick drive, train or boat ride to NYC. A quick drive or bike ride to the beach. There are so many great local businesses and places to eat within walking distance. Kids walk and bike to school, you see so many kids playing outside with their friends. Neighbors out for a stroll. I guess if you call it atypical it’s atypical perfection!

Incumbents: What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of local municipal officials’ work and/or character? What measures do you think you have taken to change that or make it better understood? 

I believe a misconception people may have is that they may not align with a candidate based on political affiliation. When you get down to a local level, politics don’t have a part in our discussions. If a road is getting paved, it’s not Democrat or Republican. It’s a project that you want done well in a fiscally responsible way. It is my hope that through my service, action and bringing more of the conversation into the public forum this is seen. 

Fair Haven Borough Council members and mayor are volunteer public servants. No pay or benefits are involved. One-on-one accessibility is something many do not realize is a key part of the unpaid job, especially for a small town. While delegation and referrals to a “team” behind the scenes may work in business for management, it is, more often than not, off-putting to residents seeking personal connection beyond a nod and handshake with those who represent them and their interests. Do you answer emails and calls and social media questions yourself and meet in person with those who reach out to you with concerns? What is your accessibility policy or what will it be? 

I am always open for a discussion and value resident input. If I don’t know you yet, I hope if you would like to chat, come and say hi! I have met with residents in person, corresponded through email, and spoke on the phone if they have ever wanted to discuss something.

Which resident not on any of the boards or commissions do you admire most for their tenacity and drive in getting involved and spearheading a needed change? What was the issue?

I wouldn’t single any one person out. I have said many times before how we are so very lucky to be built on volunteerism and have so many wonderful volunteers in many capacities in Fair Haven.

We also have members of the community who attend our Council meetings regularly to listen and share their views and concerns. I encourage everyone to be involved and stay informed on happenings in town and be part of the discussion.

A change during our tenure has been that meetings are now hybrid, further adding to transparency as well as the ability for residents to attend from anywhere. I admire everyone for all their effort and the time they put into serving, voicing their opinions, sharing their ideas and doing their part to keep Fair Haven moving forward. I am proud to see up close how many volunteers we have in Fair Haven and how many people give their time and talents to our town.

Fair Haven is 110 years old. What aspect of its history do you value most and think has been forgotten or not revered enough and should be entwined with modern day Fair Haven to preserve the uniqueness in its character? 

Going back to my former answer of what Fair Haven was founded upon and who were our town’s founders, remembering the people of the free black community who were part of the founding of Fair Haven are people who should be celebrated.

Let’s have a little fun. Tell us more about your personality. Favorite color? Book? Song? Movie? Entertainer? Activity now and when a kid? Favorite place in Fair Haven? (Could be your front porch, the Acme, a field, the river … any place).

I am a bit of a history buff and have many favorite historical books. I am a fan of the  Grateful Dead and Jam Band music. We’re lucky to have venues around here for great local music and other spots for larger acts. Looking forward to Greensky Bluegrass in January at the Basie!

There’s so many great spots around our town. The trail at Fair Haven fields and Dery’s Pond (where you could find me and friends as a kid), McCarter Pond for ice skating and hockey in the winter and Fair Haven Dock. The firehouse, where I spent so much time as a kid with my dad and where so many great events are held.

I have so many favorite spots and memories and many more being made with my own family. It also is pretty cool to be able to walk to my mom’s house, still on Church Street where I grew up, for holidays or just to pop by.  

What is a little-known fact about you or your background that you’d like to share? Anything else you would like to emphasize about your candidacy? 

Just that I love Fair Haven and I am so proud to serve in this capacity. I grew up volunteering here, am grateful to be on council now and hope to continue to serve … but no matter what you’ll always see me continue to contribute to our great town!

** Editor’s note: All candidates were provided with the same questionnaire. The responses are being published in the order in which they were received. At R-FH Retro, we strive for complete balance in coverage. All candidates were also offered the option of paid advertising in the form of linked photo campaign ads on this hyperlocal news website. Every year, both parties have accepted. This year, the Republicans declined. That is the only reason for the absence of Republican campaign ads. We do not endorse. **

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