Midland Park October 31, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Three Republican councilmen are running unopposed in next week’s election. Incumbent Councilman Bernard Holst is seeking a sixth term, and Councilman Scott Pruiksma is running for a fourth term. Councilman Jack Considine, appointed in January to fill the seat vacated by Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan, is running for the one year left on O’Hagan’s term. The candidates’ statements follow: Holst “Managing a town requires a strong and stable team; it is by no means a one person job. Those currently serving as mayor and council members are diligent in their efforts, managing a long term approach that will benefit Midland Park in the future, while mitigating the immediate impact and cost to the community today. “As a business owner, understanding the fiscal responsibility it takes to be successful is an important skill to bring to the council and any government leadership position. When we consider decisions as your council, we view each situation as if Midland Park were a business, and our decisions are based on long term results, not short term fixes.” Holst said that his major accomplishment during the time Council incumbents seek election unopposed he has served on the council has been to help develop and be a part of the team that has accomplished so much. “The ‘wins’ are not mine alone but always shared – so I believe all the achievements belong to the group. I am particularly proud of the fact that we have been able to withstand so many tough economic times and equally proud of the decision making that has helped us to get where we are today,” he said Holst is president of Horizon Termite and Pest Control, a local company he founded in 1970. He is a 35-year member and past president of the Midland Park Lions Club, and is treasurer and past president of the New Jersey Pest Management Association and a past president of the National Pest Management Association. He is a graduate of Montclair State University and was a first lieutenant qualified to captain in the National Guard 50th Armor Divisions. He heads the borough council’s Public Works Committee. Pruiksma “I enjoy serving the people of Midland Park, listening to the needs and helping achieve positive results. There are three items that I would like to focus on during my next three-year term. The first is to start a Community Emer- gency Response Team (CERT) with the youth of the town. The CERT program helps us to be better prepared should an accident or disaster occur. We have an excellent Office of Emergency management in town. There is a need, however, to engage our youth in the emergency services area which will in turn help to bring in more volunteers to these important organizations. It is definitely a win-win-win for all involved. “Secondly, I would like to work more with the community policing component of our police department. I would like to work with the police committee and Chief Marra to (continued on page 8)