2023 Local Candidate Guide
The local races with which township voters will concern themselves when they go to the polls Nov. 7 are the three At-Large Township Council seats, the Mayor’s seat and three Board of Education seats.
Contending for the Township Council seats are Democrat incumbents Kimberly Francois and Ram Anbarasan and Alex Kharazi and Republican challengers Alhaji Noah Fofanah and Frank Kunz.
Contending for the Mayor’s position are Democratic incumbent Phil Kramer and Republican challenger Brian Levine, a former Mayor.
Candidates for the Board of Education are split into two slates and one independent candidate
The Vote All Three slate is comprised of incumbent Bill Grippo and newcomers Erika Inocencia and Jimmie Parker III. The Back To Basics slate is comprised of Marco Bruno, Loren Long and Deva Villuri. Stefanie Branham is running on her own under the Advocating For Children banner.
The polls will be open in Franklin from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 7.
Township polling places are as follows:
- Kingston Presbyterian Church, 4561 Route 27, Kingston (District 1)
- Griggstown Firehouse, 1037 Canal Road, South of Bunker Hill, Princeton (District 2,3,4)
- Board of Education Building, 2301 Route 27, Somerset (Districts 5, 6, 8, 9, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
- Beacon Hill Clubhouse, 1 Beaconhill Way, Franklin Park (District 7)
- Society Hill I Clubhouse, 137 Pear Tree Lane, Franklin Park (District 10)
- Zarephath Christian Church Children’s Ministry Center, 595 Weston Canal Rd, Somerset (Districts 11, 12, 13)
- Masjid-E-Ali, 47 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset (Districts 14, 15, 16)
- Community/Senior Center, 505 Demott Lane, Somerset (Districts 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 28, 29)
- Quailbrook Senior Citizens Center, 625 New Brunswick Road, Somerset (Districts 20, 21, 22)
- Somerset Presbyterian Church, 100 JFK Blvd, Somerset (Districts 23, 49, 50, 51)
- Millstone Valley Firehouse, 2365 Amwell Road, East Millstone (Districts 26, 27)
- Somerset National Guard Armory, 1060 Hamilton Street, Somerset (Districts 35, 36, 37, 38, 42)
- Parkside Community Center, 3 Parkside Street, Somerset (Districts 39, 40, 41, 43)
- East Franklin Firehouse, 121 Pine Grove Avenue, Somerset (Districts 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
Early voting in New Jersey runs until November 5. Eligible voters who have not requested a mail-in ballot may cast their vote during this period. Township residents can vote early from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday during this period. Early voting is considered a completed vote, and cannot be amended later. One of the six early voting locations in Somerset County is located in Franklin Township, at the Senior/Community Center, 505 DeMott Lane.
Below is information the local candidates provided in answer to several questions. If a candidate is not represented, or a question does not appear in one profile that is in another, it is because they did not respond to our questionnaire or did not answer that particular question.
See you at the polls!
Sivaraman “Ram” Anbarasan
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: 4
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: N/A
Membership in any civic organizations:
Former President of NJ Tamil Sangam, a 501(c )(3) organization that promotes the culture and heritage of people who speak the ancient language of Tamil.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- Master plan update is a top issue. Changing times need timely changes to what we do in town. This includes how we manage development while paying attention to the concerns of our residents. I plan to be actively involved in the Master Plan update this Council has initiated to ensure input from a wide range of constituents is considered.
- Improve road, water and sewer infrastructure to provide uninterrupted service to residents. Aging infrastructure has to be regularly upgraded and due budget allocation is paramount to smooth functioning of these assets.
- Regulate traffic and increase enforcement of traffic violations in major roads. The Council has already commissioned a traffic study in this regard and will continue efforts to address concerns.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you be elected?
- Bring RVCC higher education and job training programs to Franklin. Our town sends the highest tax revenue to the County among the 21 towns but our residents have to travel a long distance to get to the main RVCC campus in Branchburg. A satellite campus in town would serve the residents very well.
- Make Franklin YMCA a reality. The Y will become the center piece in town for residents towards a healthy living.
- Provide better customer service experience to the residents in their interaction with the township in all matters. These may include additional staff and technology tools improving the efficiency in township operations.
In general, why should residents vote for you?
I have governed in my first term with a philosophy of “Better Policies and Less Politics.” My goal always is serving the people of Franklin and solving issues with honesty and empathy. No matter the personal opinion, I am committed to do what is best for Franklin and our residents. Being retired from full time employment allows me to dedicate more time to work on township affairs and my phone line is open any time, any day for our constituents to reach me concerning township related matters. With a solid track record of voting for the betterment of the township as a whole including my recent “NO” vote on warehouses as a member of the Planning Board, I believe I am well qualified to be reelected on Nov 7, 2023. Thank you for your support.
Stefanie Branham
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: N/A
Membership in any civic organizations: N/A
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
Education is a top priority within the Franklin Township School District. I thoroughly understand how the success of a student, parent, teacher, and school system is highly affected by our approach toward academic achievement, student success, and safety. These top three issues are areas worth further exploring throughout the next term. As a school board member, my goal is to effectively work with the other school board members to implement strategies that can effectively assist in making education a top priority for all Warriors.
I will work to improve the holistic learning experience for students beyond the classroom, closing the gap between students and teachers, and addressing challenges for underserved students so we all can reach high academic achievements. With my background experience as a team mom, I have understood the importance of championing initiatives on the field that support student success. I would like to apply that same approach in this new arena as I grow in this new role as a board member. There is always room for innovation and growth in all aspects of our school including safety which does not directly correlate to additional security staffing and/or security machinery but to the mental health efforts explored within the schools. I believe that, as a school board, we can effectively work towards initiatives that cultivate environments wherein students’ mental health is addressed.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you win the election?
If I were to win the election, my top three goals would be to grow our school district’s efforts in diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all students! Education is our top priority and, to be a successful district that wins in education, we must have a strong understanding of the diverse communities that receive it. One goal is to grow our understanding of the full range of diversity we are serving in our district. We must approach education with the thought in mind that there is a culturally, and socio-economically diverse community invested in the learning experience.
Fostering Collaborative Partnerships. I aim to strengthen partnerships between the school district, parents, teachers, and the local community. By fostering open communication and collaboration, we can create a unified support system that prioritizes the well-being and educational success of our students. One area of focus will be overturning the policy that was put in place, eliminating the need for parental consent in various situations. I firmly believe that parents should be involved in every decision regarding their children. Building trust between our staff and parents is essential for the well-being and success of our students. This also includes reviewing and ensuring the compliance of the busing contract, it is essential to guarantee the safety as no child should be at risk due to neglected contracts or compliance. Also providing after-school busing for all students to attend clubs, activities, and athletic practices, and supporting our local charter schools by reinstating their opportunity to join athletic teams and clubs with provided busing. I firmly believe in the power of school choice and school vouchers, as they empower parents to make choices for their children based on their unique needs, interests, and learning styles.
Moreover, opportunities that represent diverse backgrounds are also extremely vital to the academic success of our students, teachers, parents, and community at large! The last goal is to leverage our stake as a prominent school district to invite opportunities that will help all Warriors win, based on our understanding of the diverse landscape of our student body.
Why should residents vote for you?
I am a strong advocate for student success for all Warriors including those from underserved and minority communities in the district.
“Every child deserves a champion: someone who won’t give up on them.”
My desire to run was inspired by the difficulty I faced in advocating for my own daughter. I understand that all children are uniquely different, and every child needs someone to support, encourage, and believe in them. I want to be an advocate for all children, despite their unique challenges.
“I want to help close the gap in communication between the Board of Education, parents, and students.”
Whether I’m the team mom alongside my children or serving individuals with hearing loss during the day, I have a vested interest in the district and the decisions that affect the families within it.
Kimberly Francois
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: 20 years
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: N/A
Membership in any civic organizations:
Sister2Sister, Somerset Community Action Program (SCAP), National Council of Negro Women, Harvard Black and Crimson Club, Somerset County Democratic Black Caucus, NAACP
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- We need to stabilize taxes by expanding economic development with smart growth to increase commercial ratables that will ultimately reduce the tax burden on residential taxpayers.
- We need to encourage private investment in the Corporate Business District along the Worlds Fair Drive and Davidson Ave corridor, creating a 24 hour live/work/play environment for the next generation of workers and their employers. Enhancing the construction permitting process to make the Township easier to do business with. This will help to address the demand for more flex space, and the creation and repurposing of office park and commercial parcels for IT back office and medical office space.
- We need to encourage private commercial investment to replace Kmart. We passed four ordinances limiting warehouses and we need to continue to improve the quality of life.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you be elected?
- I need to continue to finish the work I am doing to enhance the Franklin Youth Center at 429 Lewis St near the Franklin Middle School Hamilton St. Campus. The Youth Center serves all Franklin youth twelve to eighteen years old with after-school enrichment, sports, and educational programs. I want to further develop our programs with the $1,500,000 state grant provided by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen’s sponsorship. Presently, extensive procedures, equipment, and training are in place to maintain a secure and safe environment for our most precious commodity—our youth. I will provide oversight to construct a variety of safety improvements and enhance the Center site operations with the $1,000,000 Community Project Funding grant presented by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman.
- I will continue on as a Commissioner on the Franklin Township Redevelopment Agency, which is responsible for assisting Franklin in the revitalization of the Renaissance Redevelopment Area and the provision of affordable and senior housing.
- I will continue to stay on the Hamilton St Advisory Board and promote smart growth for entrepreneurs and restaurants to the Hamilton St Business District to become a lively pedestrian oriented, shopper friendly, retail focused Village Center.
In general, why should residents vote for you?
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and an At -Large Councilwoman, for a total of twenty years. My passion and mission in serving as an elected official and public servant is to improve the quality of life for our youth, working families, and our seniors. I live here in Franklin, I love Franklin and I want to continue to invest in the future of our Township through our Youth.
William Grippo
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served:
I have had one term on the board
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
I was deputy mayor in Franklin and on Council
Membership in any civic organizations:
Many, many in Franklin. VP of the Chamber , Task force leader for the YMCA, Board of MLK Foundation
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- Security and safety in our schools: I am chairman of the Security and Safety committee, each month we meet with administration to review data on safety reports, and proceed with corrective attention for areas in need of improvement. School building safety has been enhanced greatly the last 3 years
- Teacher recruitment and retention: We have active job search opportunities for interested new staff, financial incentives were instituted this year for retention incentive, ongoing planning and sensible budgeting with FTEA.
- Increase in Pre-K education for 3 and 4 year old including a large facility for our Pre-K population: The board is pursuing a new Pre-K facility with the township in order to meet the needs of this growing age population. The number one aspect in our strategic planning is to get this project, program and facility underway as soon as possible and to take advantage of the state money allowed to meet these needs.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you win election?
- To see an increase of top notch staff with recruitment efforts
- To approve and begin the implementation of a Pre-School Center
- To further partner with YMCA of water safety for ALL appropriate age children
Why should residents vote for you?
I have 47 years of experience as a public- school administrator and principal, at the end of this coming term I will have completed 50 years in Franklin Schools, that is a milestone that will benefit all students and schools.
Obviously, being a long-term administrator in the district I bring a perspective to the position that very few can offer and other board members depend on to make informed decisions.
Erika Inocencia
- Current Democratic Committee Member, Ward 4, District 36
- Appointed, Somerset County Planning Board (2021-present)
- Appointed, Franklin Township Planning Board (2023-present)
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served:
N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
- Current Democratic Committee Member, Ward 4, District 36
- Appointed, Somerset County Planning Board (2021-present)
- Appointed, Franklin Township Planning Board (2023-present)
Membership in any civic organizations:
Current member, JFK Club (Recording Secretary 2020-2022)
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
Number one for me is the teacher shortage. Without teachers, there are no schools and no learning. We are losing teachers at an alarming rate as they either retire or take higher-paying jobs in nearby districts. As a parent of two students in the district, I see some of the negative impacts a diminished workforce has on our schools: an overreliance on substitute teachers, an inability to offer in-class, teacher-led instruction in certain disciplines thus needing to opt for online programs instead, and over-crowding of classrooms. The current situation puts additional stress on the teachers we do have which further threatens any retention efforts being made. In addition to the efforts already being made to attract and retain a high-quality, diverse workforce, I would like to see us consult with similarly situated districts that have had success attracting quality teachers and implement best practices. Also, we need to critically analyze the district budget to determine where savings can be found. Lastly, we need to engage our state legislative partners to make the case for our district when it comes to any additional funding or aid that may be available to us.
Next, I would seek a thorough review of our special education program to determine areas where improvements are needed. When I’ve spoken to parents of students with special needs or disabilities in the district, I hear many of the same things over and over, including feeling that they have been or are being pressured to choose one of the special education placement options the district offers although it is clear none of the options are appropriate for the child. Many parents have expressed that they feel they have no guidance through the IEP process and some have said they felt as if the district and special education coordinators were their adversaries rather than their partners in the process of determining the most appropriate educational placement for their child. Regardless of the challenges faced by any party involved, we should all agree that this should not be so. I value the partnerships I forged with my children’s teachers over the years in regards to their education. It should be no different for parents of students with special needs. If anything, they require more support from the district, not less. They should also know it is a priority of the district to ensure children with special needs are provided an educational program individually designed to meet their child’s unique educational needs and assists their student reach their full learning potential.
The third issue of importance for me is the health, safety and wellness of students, staff, their families and the community at large. Tackling this broad area requires a holistic approach as many issues are merely symptoms of deeper-rooted, underlying problems. If only the symptom is treated, the underlying causes go unaddressed only for the issue resurface down the line. I would seek for the district to partner with local community organizations to provide programs and services surrounding physical, mental and emotional wellness. I would also like the district to serve as a connector to a host of other services available to the community addressing often underlying, broader issues like food insecurity and job training and placement.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you win election?
- Increase staff levels by successfully hiring and retaining quality educators and administrators.
- Address issues within our special education system to ensure every parent feels supported and in partnership with the district when it comes to ensuring every child, regardless of ability or need, is given the opportunity to reach their maximum academic potential.
- Identify and address barriers to learning that prevent our students from achieving personal and academic excellence. Addressing underlying issues families often face can have a tremendous impact on a student’s academic success and overall wellness.
Why should residents vote for you?
I’m an attorney with over 20 years of experience primarily as a criminal prosecutor and municipal lawyer. I have years of executive board experience and currently serve on the Somerset County and Franklin Township planning boards. I’m an eight-year resident of Franklin but my husband is a life-long resident and graduate of Franklin public schools. We have two children who are both district students. A now retired public educator helped raise me and my mother-in-law, a Franklin resident, is also a retired public educator. My professional experience informs my evidence-based, data-driven approach to problem-solving. My civic experience will ensure that I hit the ground running as new school board member. My personal background and experiences provide me with a broad, multifaceted perspective and collaborative approach to tackling even the most divisive of issues. No matter the issue, I will always put our students first.
Alex Kharazi , Ph.D.
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: N/A
Membership in any civic organizations:
- Franklin Township Interfaith Council,
- Member of Human Relations Commission
- Board of Trustee of Dr. Martin Luther King foundation
- Planning Board
- President, Interfaith Council
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- Smart Development—we need to find ways to supplment taxes paid by our residents by bringing more businesses to town. I will explore ways we can bring more small buisnesses and mimimize empty offices. I will also work with others to revisit the Master Plan to avoid developments that will harm the environment and/or disturb the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
- Heavy Traffic—We need to tackle this issue along with the County as some of our roads are County roads. I will explore all options to ease traffic congestion during rush hours
- Crime and Public Safety—We have made good progress in reducing crime over the years but need to do more. Statistics show that if employment is high, the crime rate is low. So I will look at ways to increase employment of our residents and work and support organizations that help address food insecurity and provide services to underpriviliged families, such as Food Bank, ICNA, YMCA.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you be elected?
- To be remembered as a Councilman who listened to the concerns of the community, worked honestly, and earned their trust.
- Improve the lives of residents and make Franklin a better and safer place to live
- Make our Township a business-friendly township and bring more small/environmentally friendly businesses to town
In general, why should residents vote for you?
As a 37 year resident of Franklin Township, where my three daughters were born and graduated from Franklin Public Schools, I have a track record of serving the community for many years. In fact, I have been recognized by two of the local news media outlets, and a recipient of the Gover’s Jerseon Award for community service. I have great rapport amongst the larger community including its leadership, Township employees, and within the leadership of its houses of worship. It is very easy for me to work as a team and get things done. I have a Ph.d from UC Berkeley, over 30 years of industry experience, have served on the Planning Board, run a private school in town, and was an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers. I will listen to residents, look for opportunities to improve quality of life of our residents, will be accessible, and will work hard to earn and re-earn their trust.
Phil Kramer
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: 6 years as 3rd Ward Councilman 8 years as Mayor
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
If I had to pick three, it would be property taxes, public safety, and protecting the environment. I am proud of the fact that while I have been Mayor, we have effectively addressed each of these. In terms of property taxes, we have controlled Municipal spending and restored fiscal stability which has resulted in the Local Municipal Tax going up by an average of one-half of one percent each year. On public safety, we reduced crime by 1/3 since I first came into office by restoring police staffing levels to more sensible levels and more community outreach. On the environment, we have accelerated the process of moving towards making the Township more environmentally friendly through the introduction of additional solar energy capacity, purchasing more green energy vehicles, and continuing the purchase of additional open space which has resulted in over 38% of the Township now off limits to development. These policies have been working, and it is my intention to continue implementing these measures if chosen by the voters to serve as Mayor for another 4 years.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you be elected?
My top three goals in many ways mirror the concerns of my top issues. We must continue to control municipal spending to keep Franklin as affordable as possible, we must continue to expand efforts to further improve public safety, and we must also continue to make Franklin greener through further implementation of green energy measures and the continued acquisition of additional open space. To this I would add that we have achieved full cooperation with the Board of Education when it comes to implementing a new partnership to bring affordable health care to the children of Franklin Township. All these items are critical to not only preserving our quality of life, but just as importantly to improving it in the months and years ahead as well.
In general, why should residents vote for you?
It is easy for candidates to talk and promise, but for Elected Officials, all the talk in the world cannot hide the fact of what you have accomplished. I believe that on all of the points that matter most to our residents, affordability, safety, environmental protection, controlling overdevelopment, providing quality public services, the list goes on and on, I can look voters straight in the eye and ask them to judge my service to them as Mayor based on that record. I will proudly compare that record with that of my opponent who also happens to be my predecessor. The municipal portion of the property tax bill is lower, public safety is better, more open space has been acquired, services have improved and expanded, again, the list goes on. What you have done is a great indicator of what you will do. Based on that, I believe voters have enough facts to judge whether I deserve another 4 years as their Mayor and it is based on that record that I ask them to do so.
Deva Villuri
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: N/A
Membership in any civic organizations:
Poll Volunteer
Trained by Somerset for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Citizen Police Academy of Franklin Township Police
Non-profit work for Christian Religious persecuted
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- Transparency: My goal is to bring transparency, implement the due process, and involve parents as much as policy in areas where their input is much needed. All policy decisions impact students and parents directly, my desire to bring into confidence parents as equal decision-makers where it matters on key aspects at least.
- Advocate for Public School: With the advent of charter schools in our district, we should make our public schools be able to compete and deliver results that exceed any other schools around and within the district, that community can review and use in their decision-making process when choosing the right schools. It is incumbent on the School Board to better equip the district to face these challenges by incentivizing academic excellence and also behavioral aspects to promote healthy pursuit to exceed set goals.
- Budget: Every year getting the right budget to offer the highest standard of education is a challenge, I strive to push for the full review of where possible to cut costs and carve out more funds for much-needed areas to improve public schools thereby help students achieve their education dreams. Recent pandemic in a way should be used to prepare for any challenges we face and my desire to prepare the School Board for any such challenges in the future.
Goals
What are your top three goals, should you win election?
Parent Rights, Focus on Basic Education, Equip Students
Why should residents vote for you?
We have raised our 3 kids in Franklin Township from Pre-K, currently 2 in High School and 1 in Elementary school. Over the years we have personally seen many positive impacts on our kids as they graduated from each school. Appreciate active PTO support to foster a sense of community amongst all families raising their kids in the school district. I’ve professionally worked in TestPrep industry working on the latest testing tools and supplemental education material for K-12. My wife ran an after-school education business for 7 years and that helped us learn many of the aspects that are lacking in public education.
Also, during this time, we have gained some level of understanding of how the School Board works and its impact on the school districts at large and students in particular. The direction set by the School Board can make a huge impact on the town in general and communities within specifically. With that in mind, my burden is to make School Board work for the betterment of communities considering long-standing best practices instead of reacting to changing times by implementing key policy decisions without proper full due diligence.
