Experience

If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:

As a 30-year resident of Franklin Township, I am most proud of having served on the boards of our Housing Authority as well as serving as Trustee for our public library.

The opportunity to have a positive impact on the community in which I’ve been a part of for so long, and that has given so much to me and my family, was one of my most rewarding experiences.

Additionally, having children who attended our public schools, provide me the opportunity to volunteer at numerous school functions In addition to volunteering as both coach and team parent for our recreational kids baseball and soccer leagues.

Membership in any civic organizations:

Per the recent Covid restrictions, as well as my own increased obligations to this campaign for Council of the 3rd Ward has made taking a leadership or general role  some of our local Civic Organizations a difficult task at the moment.

With that said, I believe membership Civic organizations is extremely important and whether I earn this position or not I fully intend to rejoin past civic organizations such as the food bank or our public parks groups.

Separately, I feel it should be noted that in addition to civic old visitations I also value memberships in various business associations such as both the Franklin and Somerset small Business Association.  membership in organizations like this can provide great new business contacts that could benefit our town as well as help educate its members find the ability to network for new opportunities and businesses to come to Franklin. I so value the skills I’ve received from these organizations that help to develop my networking contacts as well as the ability to communicate and negotiate with fellow members I believe it should be the responsibility of all Councilmen to be as active as we can two as many types of civic organizations and business associations as their time allows.

Issues

What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:

1. I want to stop the consistent and routine tax hikes- I feel this can accomplished by seeking out new and innovative ways to increase profitable revenue such as working with local universities and business associations with the goal of creating business partnerships with startups, entrepreneurs, and other small business. If we can provide some level of benefit or cost savings to entice this business to move their operations to Franklin it’ll be a big win for our local economy especially at the retail level.
2. Do whatever is possible to either halt or slow down the race to over-build!!! I do understand that new construction does offer the promise of increased revenue. Yet when you consider the huge costs associated with upgrading, fixing and maintaining an outdated infrastructure, as well as costs for cleaning soil contamination caused by the building, you have to ask, are we really making, saving or are we delaying or just losing our small business talent to towns cities and other states that are more affordable to ours.
3. I want to improve public access to Municipal services. In some cases, the only way to interact with various departments for transactions is in person. I’d like to review all services with the goal of one stop shopping for all needs, i.e, permits, fines, taxes; all forms the public needs. Although we do have some automation, it is not consistent. It would be efficient if it were streamlined within all departments. Let’s, if possible, add true working automation in addition to an in-person option

Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: Not applicable

If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
Vice President Waxobe Archers
Nursing School Class President

Membership in any civic organizations:
Kiwanis International
Waxobe Archers, Inc.
Volunteer Firefighter
American Red Cross Volunteer
NSO Nursing Service Organization Member
Franklin Township GOP

Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with
them:
1. Diminished Quality of Life
We have all experienced the traffic nightmares sprinkled around Franklin. Constant
overdevelopment with little community input is destroying quality of life. We deserve better.
Once elected, I will painstakingly investigate all matters placed in front of Council regarding
Quality of Life Issues and the ramifications of these decisions. We need to put residents needs
in front of the bottom line. To be successful in government means to be successful in improving
constituents lives, work and play whenever possible. Its time to put Franklin residents first
because they deserve better.

2. Community Safety
Our police department has a disturbing amount of public safety employment vacancies and
administrative issues. Why are these vacancies and other administrative issues being ignored?
We are a full-time community we deserve a fully staffed police department. We owe this to
ourselves and our children.

If provided the honor of representing Ward 5, I would investigate why our community is not
deserving of a police chief, only an Executive Director. An Executive Director who holds no
ability to actually arrest criminals. Franklin deserves a hands on leader not an overpaid
executive at a desk. We deserve better than the current situation that has been forced upon
our police department. We deserve better because it will help protect residents of Franklin and
maintain law and order. Law and Order that should be provided respectfully to all members of
our community. Innocence or guilt should not be determined in the street or the back of a
police car, it should be provided in a court of law. Our residents deserve equality and fairness.

I would further seek to implement a Civilian Review Board. Our police department and
residents alike deserve it. Oversight and transparency protect community members and police
alike.

3. Current Inadequate Environmental Focus
Recent floods have shown why environmental concerns must be addressed before they become
environmental catastrophes. As the lantern fly is now ravaging our forestry the council stands by and
does little to protect us or our natural vigor. Our forests and environment deserve better. So do we.

Experience

If incumbent, how many years have you served:

I have served for seven years on the Franklin Township School Board, three as President ushering in stability and increased academic performance. In addition, I serve on the local Franklin Township Task Force Opposing NESE and on the Board of Sustainable Jersey.

If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:

Membership in any civic organizations:

• Executive Director of New Jersey LCV–Leading Statewide advocate for Environmental Protection
• Member of Franklin Township Board of Education (Former President)
• Serve on the local Franklin Township Task Force Opposing NESE
• Trustee of Sustainable Jersey Former Member Franklin Township Planning Board
• Member, Rutgers University Glee Club Advisory Committee

Issues

What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:

I am running for Township Council to apply my experience in public policy and environmental protection in order to enhance the quality of life in Franklin and control spending.  My priorities are ensuring the public is supported during this COVID crisis with local testing, vaccinations, and expanded employment opportunities; attracting high quality businesses back into vacant storefronts and office buildings; improving traffic; and supporting the efforts to build a YMCA in Franklin.

It takes teamwork to protect and improve our community! Together, we stopped the Transco Compression Station 206, successfully advocated for the preservation of more open space, prevented development of the Consolata property creating a new Community Center, and expanded recreational opportunities for our youth. At the same time, thanks to our Mayor and Council, Municipal Taxes have been kept stable for the past 4 years, our infrastructure continues to improve, and we become ever more environmentally sustainable as a community. It is for this reason, that I ask for your vote on November 2nd. I know that we can keep Ward 1 and Franklin Township moving ahead and I look forward to continuing to fight on our residents behalf in the months and years to come.

Experience: Director and Treasurer, Somerset Run Home Owners Association, Chairman Somerset Run Audio/Visual Committee

Issues:

1. I am concerned about the very high real estate taxes that we are paying. We have reached a point where the taxes will restrict overall growth in our community. I suggest that a comprehensive study be initiated to determine what alternate sources of revenue are available to our community to offset reductions in real estate taxes. For example, we can combine municipal programs such as EMS to reduce costs and possible receive financial help from the state. This should be accomplished as part of a comprehensive plan for all of Somerset County.
2. Our wetlands need maintenance. While it was interesting to set the wetlands aside from real estate development this has caused unintended problems. The land is now about 17 years old. There are dead trees falling on private property thereby endangering the lives and safety of residents. I suggest that the state legislature amend the laws to allow effective maintenance of the wetlands. For example, invasive species of insects have invaded local wetlands. They need to periodically be sprayed to prevent diseases from spreading to humans. Other methods should also be studied to see what methods can be implemented to provide a healthy environment for people and nature.
3. It’s deer season again. This means that the large deer population in Somerset will be running into populated areas before winter is here. This presents a danger to drivers and deer alike. When a deer is injured or killed in an automobile accident it must be removed by animal control personal. Similarly, EMS must be called to assess injured people. This is costly and life threatening. I suggest a study be implemented to see how to reduce the deer population in a humane manner.

1. Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure, especially as it relates to our water system, roads and sidewalks, traffic and pedestrian safety, and Township parks and community centers is a high priority. I believe Council has done a very good job dealing with this responsibility. I am very active on the Council Public Works Committee and will continue to be proactive monitoring current efforts and implementing new initiatives. I will work to make our infrastructure solid and safe for the short and long term. I will continue to be an advocate for the 5th Ward, as we are the most densely populated Ward and are greatly affected by all aspects of infrastructure. One example of us being proactive in this area is having a Township wide technical review of all aspects of our roadways by objective outside experts. This will provide Franklin with relevant data, a blueprint of sorts, that will be very helpful in planning future infrastructure projects and appropriations. That review will likely be done over the next few months.
2. Continued fiscal responsibility that keeps our taxes stable and provides the many quality services our residents deserve, is one of the most important functions of Municipal government. Council has not raised Municipal taxes in the last four years and has maintained the many services we provide to residents. I have much experience dealing with Municipal budgets. I will continue to use my experience and extensive knowledge of Municipal budgeting to make sure every dollar we spend, is spent wisely. I will continue to look for ways to improve and expand the vast array of services we provide. Some new initiatives I have been working on in this area include, a yearly township wide residential bulk pick-up and a new customer service system that better tracks residents’ inquiries and provides timely, accurate responses, and more ways that the Township can provide services to the elderly and handicapped.
3. We need to continue to preserve open space in Franklin. Council has done a great job with preserving hundreds of acres of land over the last decade. I have been very active on the Council Land Use Committee. This Committee, along with many other responsibilities, conducts extensive reviews of opportunities and proposals to preserve land so that it will never be developed. Working closely with our Township Planner and Open Space Consultant, and in conjunction with our Open Space Advisory Board, we make recommendations to the entire Council. Most all of our recommendations and Committee work has resulted in land being preserved and void of any future development.  Using my comprehensive understanding of the physical landscape of Franklin Twp. and my knowledge of how local land preservation works, I will continue to look for every opportunity to preserve land from being developed. We need to continue to implement policies that makes sure the quality of life for our residents, remain our highest priority. We need to minimize new commercial and residential development while being supportive of our existing businesses and residential neighborhoods.