Lakewood Township, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lakewood Township, New Jersey
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map of Lakewood Township in Ocean County. Inset: Location of Ocean County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Ocean
government_footnotes =
government_type = Township (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Ray Coles (2008)
leader_title1 = Manager
leader_name1 = Frank Edwards
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = March 23, 1892

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 65.0
area_land_km2 = 64.3
area_water_km2 = 0.8
area_total_sq_mi = 25.1
area_land_sq_mi = 24.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 69606
population_density_km2 = 938.9
population_density_sq_mi = 2431.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882076|Township of Lakewood, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 16
elevation_ft = 52
latd = 40 |latm = 4 |lats = 58 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 12 |longs = 34 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08701
area_code = 732
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-38550GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882076GR|3
website = http://twp.lakewood.nj.us
footnotes =

Lakewood Township is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 60,352.

Lakewood was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1892, from portions of Brick Township. Portions of Howell Township in Monmouth County were annexed to Lakewood Township in 1929."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 203.]

Lakewood is one of the hubs of Orthodox Judaism and is home to one of the largest yeshivas in the world. The large Orthodox population, comprising nearly half of the township's population, wields considerable political clout in Lakewood Township, commanding a bloc of about 10,000 votes. [ [http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key=7215 U.S. gets another Orthodox mayor] , Chicago Jewish Community Online, July 11, 2006. Accessed April 13, 2007. "Orthodox Jews make up nearly half of the village's 70,000 residents, and they often vote as a bloc, with a council of leaders determining whom they should support."]

Lakewood CDP (2000 Census population of 36,065), Leisure Village (1,785) and Leisure Village East (1,594) are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Lakewood Township.

History

Lakewood was known as one of the New York City region's winter resorts at the turn of the 1900s. This was due to a pocket of climate that was 3 to 5 degrees warmer than the City. Its Lake Carasaljo and surrounding pine trees made for a picturesque holiday. The Rockefeller family had an estate which has been turned into Ocean County Park. The Jay Gould Estate is now Georgian Court College. [ [http://twp.lakewood.nj.us/history.htm History of Lakewood] , accessed October 19, 2006.] Parts of "The Amityville Horror" were filmed there. [ [http://www.dreadcentral.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=8 The Amityville Horror] , Dread Central. Accessed October 19, 2006.]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 25.1 square miles (65.1 km²), of which, 24.8 square miles (64.3 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (1.19%) is water.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930=7869
1940=8502
1950=10809
1960=16020
1970=25233
1980=38464
1990=45048
2000=60352
estimate= 69606
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US3402938550&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=lakewood&_cityTown=lakewood&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Lakewood township] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990. [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 60,352 people, 19,876 households, and 13,356 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,431.8 people per square mile (938.8/km²). There were 21,214 housing units at an average density of 854.8/sq mi (330.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 78.77% White, 12.05% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.61% from other races, and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.80% of the population.There were 19,876 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.64.

In the township the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $35,634, and the median income for a family was $43,806. Males had a median income of $38,967 versus $26,645 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,700. About 15.7% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.9% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Lakewood Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year."2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 103.] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

The township committee exercises all legislative power of the township, except in matters of health, which are done at the Board of Health. In addition, the Committee appoints members to many boards, commissions, and committees. Each member of the township committee serves as a liaison to different divisions, departments, and committees.

The mayor, elected from among the members of the committee, presides at meetings and performs other such duties as the Township Committee may prescribe. The mayor has the power to appoint subcommittees with the consent of the committee. When authorized, he or she executes documents on behalf of the township, makes proclamations concerning holidays and events of interest, and exercises ceremonial power of the Township and other powers conferred upon him by law.

The members of the Lakewood Township Committee are Mayor Ray Coles (D, term ends December 31, 2008), Deputy Mayor Meir Lichtenstein (D, 2009), Charles Cunliffe (D, 2008), Menashe Miller (R, 2009) and State Senator Robert Singer (R, 2010). [ [http://twp.lakewood.nj.us/town_brd_twpcom.htm Lakewood Township Committee] , Lakewood Township. Accessed March 27, 2008.] [ [http://www.oceancountyclerk.com/elelectedofficials2008.pdf#page=5 2007 Elected Officials of Ocean County] , Ocean County, New Jersey. p. 5. Accessed March 27, 2008.]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, incumbent Township Committee members Democrat Meir Lichtenstein and Republican Menashe Miller easily won reelection to office in a field of five candidates. [ [http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/NEWS02/611080457/1070 Lichtenstein, Miller return to Lakewood's committee] , "Asbury Park Press", November 8, 2006.]

Federal, state and county representation

Lakewood Township is in the Fourth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 30th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 59. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

The Lakewood School District is broken up into three different stages of schooling. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3408220 Data for the Lakewood School District] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 27, 2008.] ) are four Elementary Schools — [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/school.asp?sch=egc Ella G. Clarke School] , with 996 students; [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/school.asp?sch=cas Clifton Avenue School] , with 708 students; [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/school.asp?sch=oak Oak Street School] , with 945 students; and [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/school.asp?sch=sss Spruce Street School] , with 638 students - [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/school.asp?sch=lms Lakewood Middle School] , which has 761 students in grades 7 and 8, and Lakewood High School, with an enrollment of 1,314 students in grades 9-12.

Georgian Court University is a private, Roman Catholic university located on the shores of Lake Carasaljo. Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy as a women's college, the school's strong emphasis on education for women continues, with women making up 88% of the student population in Fall 2006.

There are many Yeshivas and Jewish day schools catering to the Orthodox Jewish community, with thousands of children enrolled. Beth Medrash Govoha, the largest Yeshiva (Rabbinical Academy) in North America, is also located in Lakewood. In addition, there are at least two Christian schools in Lakewood - the non-denominational Calvary Academy [http://www.calvaryacademy.org/] , and the Roman Catholic affiliated [http://www.hfslakewood.com/about.asp?id=50 Holy Family School] . The former serves grades K-12, while the latter serves youth from pre-school through 8th grade.

Commerce

Urban Enterprise Zone

Portions of Lakewood Township are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide). [ [http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/financing/tax/geographic.shtml#2 Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit] , State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.]

Transportation

Lakewood Airport is a public-use airport located 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the township's central business district. The airport is publicly owned. [FAA-airport|ID=N12|use=PU|own=PR|site=13890.*A, effective December 20, 2007.]

Attractions

*Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum, on the campus of Georgian Court University
*FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws, Single A South Atlantic League minor league baseball team and affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Lakewood Township include:
*Morton Abramowitz, President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (1991-1997); U. S. Ambassador to Thailand and Turkey
*Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963), first President of South Vietnam. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,866120-5,00.html "The Beleaguered Man"] , "Time (magazine)", April 4, 1955. Accessed March 27, 2008. "For the best part of two years (1951-53) he made his home at the Maryknoll Junior Seminary in Lakewood, N.J.. often going down to Washington to buttonhole State Department men and Congressmen and urge them not to support French colonialism."]
*Marc Ecko, Founder and CEO of *eckō unltd. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/magazine/10ECKO.html?ei=5088&en=0a4d5654df1b7f33&ex=1278648000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print Cul-de-Sac Cred] , "The New York Times by Rob Walker, July 10, 2005. "Marc Milecofsky grew up in Lakewood, N.J., about an hour and a half south of Manhattan."]
*George Jay Gould I (1864-1923), financier and railroad executive, whose estate was donated to create Georgian Court University
*Serge Jaroff (-1985), conductor, composer and founder of the Don Cossack Chorus.Fact|date=June 2008
*Stan Kasten (born 1952), President of the Washington Nationals, and former President of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers. [ [http://www.harrywalker.com/speakers_template.cfm?Spea_ID=779 Stan Kasten] , Harry Walker Agency. Accessed June 26, 2008.]
*Edith Kingdon (1864-1921), actress wife of George Jay Gould I
*Rabbi Aharon Kotler (1891-1962), founder of the Beth Medrash Govoha yeshiva and a pre-eminent authority on Jewish law ("halacha") in the 20th Century
*John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), industrialist and philanthropist, had an estate in Lakewood, as well as other homes in Ohio, New York, and Florida.Fact|date=August 2008
*Robert Schmertz (1926-1975), founder and CEO of Leisure Technology Corp.; former owner of the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. [Bennett, Don. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=0F93EBDC00C85352&p_docnum=3&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=T70N59BRMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "Historic house to be razed"] , "Ocean County Observer", February 13, 2003. Accessed July 30, 2007. "Jack Rutledge, an attorney from Beachwood, offered him $500 and whatever he could negotiate off the $55,000 asking price to buy the house for the late Robert Schmertz of Lakewood."]
*J. R. Smith (born 1985), NBA basketball player and currently plays for Denver Nuggets. [ [http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_5205691 The Nuggets interviews: J.R. Smith] , "Denver Post", February 11, 2007. "J.R. Smith had his parents and a big family growing up, which helped get him through the mean streets of Lakewood, N.J."]
*Laurence Tisch (1923-2003), CEO CBS, part owner: Loews Corp.; Lorillard; Bulova Watch
*Preston Robert Tisch (1926-2005), Postmaster General of the U. S. (1986 - 1988); partner, New York Giants; part owner of Loews Corp.
*Charles Waterhouse (born 1924), artist.Fact|date=August 2008
*Joe Baum (1920-1998), restaurateur.
*Mookie Wilson (born 1956), American baseball player, mostly notably with the New York Mets. [Vecsey, George. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFDA123BF93AA15756C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all "SPORT OF THE TIMES; Building Toward the Days of October"] , "The New York Times", May 29, 1988. Accessed March 22, 2008. "Shortly after his classic time at bat in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series, Wilson and his wife, Rosa, started an educational center for girls, Mookie's Roses, near their home in Lakewood, N.J."]

References

External links

* [http://twp.lakewood.nj.us/ Lakewood Township web site]
* [http://www.lakewood.k12.nj.us/ Lakewood School District]
*NJReportCard|29|2520|0|Lakewood School District
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3408220 Data for the Lakewood School District] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.oceancountylibrary.org/Branches/LAK/lak.htm Lakewood Branch of Ocean County Library]