The local races with which township voters will concern themselves when they go to the polls Nov. 2 are the five Ward Township Council seats and three Board of Education seats.
Contending for the Township Council seats are:
- Ward 1: Democrat Ed Potosnak and Republican Laxman Kanduri. Incumbent Ted Chase has decided not to seek re-election.
- Ward 2: Democrat incumbent Shepa Uddin and Republican Howell “Howie” Streger
- Ward 3: Democrat incumbent Charles Onyejiaka and Republican Andrew Dars
- Ward 4: Democrat Incumbent Carl R.A. Wright and Republican Stella Mitzen
- Ward 5: Democrat incumbent James Vassanella and Republican Robert “Kash” Kashinsky
Contending for the three available Board of Education seats are incumbents Laurie Merris and Pat Stanley, as well as newcomers Dennis Hopkins, Jr., Sami Shaban, Michele Petersen, Rani Angel, Parul Patel, Montese Anderson and Wendell Sellers.
Merris is running on a slate with Hopkins and Shaban. Also running on a slate are Patel and Anderson.
Early voting in New Jersey runs from October 23-31. One of the six early voting locations in Somerset County is located in Franklin Township, at the Senior/Community Center, 505 DeMott Lane.
Township polling places are as follows:
- Kingston Presbyterian Church, 4561 Route 27, Kingston (District 1)
- Society Hill I Clubhouse, 137 Pear Tree Lane, Franklin Park (District 10)
- Griggstown Firehouse, 1037 Canal Road, South of Bunker Hill, Princeton (Districts 2, 3, 4)
- Board of Education Building, 2301 Route 27, Somerset (Districts 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
- 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)
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.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. For more information on voting, click here.
See you at the polls!
Andrew L. Dars
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Dennis Hopkins , Jr
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. …
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: None
Membership in any civic organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
- School safety continues to my primary concern within the district. The district needs to provide more resources to keep our students safe. Sanitation, recognizing and evaluating any students that shows symptoms of being sick followed by Isolation. These are some of the safeguards that will allow the district to have a successful school year.
- Transportation has become a problem within our district, not only are we struggling to get the students to school but away games are scheduled very late due to our lack of bus drivers. This ultimately causes our student athletes to get home from games very late on school nights. The district needs to create additional means that will attract and retain drivers. Although transportation is contracted, bonus and benefits could help the district to compete with others seeking drivers.
- Community and Parent Involvement can enrich the district. The best way to improve the schools is to have parents and the community become more invested in the education of all our students. Creating seminars that parents and students can partner in to boost confidence within the students beginning at Pre-K. Advertising all school events to attract the community to participate which will bring pride and unity within the district.
Robert “Kash” Kashinsky
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.
Estelle M. Mitzen
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: N/A
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: No I have never held an elected position.
Membership in any civic organizations:
I have spent time and energy helping others by selling funnel cakes at the fireman’s fair, being Santa’s helper for children’s breakfast with Santa and spent time as a social member of the Red Knights and eventually serving as the secretary for 6 years. My career has been spent working in various positions of environment, health and safety where I am looking out for the health and safety of people I support while ensuring that there is no harm to the environment.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
The first issue I want to tackle is bringing balance to the Township Council by bringing in another political philosophy that will represent all of the folks living in Franklin who may be more conservative in their ideology. Right now the Township Council is made only of folks from one political philosophy leaving out the representation of the people of our town who differ from that approach. It is never good to shut out an entire section of people and by not having a Republican representative on the council, that is in essence what is happening. Every tax payer deserves to have their voices heard in the form of their representative. The way to achieve that is of course to be elected. The most effective way to balance the council would be to have more than 1 republican elected however, even 1 is better than none. When everyone thinks the same way you will only ever get one response, one method to handle an issue and only one voice. With people of different opinions you will get a more robust discussion, another way to handle an issue and conceivably be richer in the outcome by coming up with resolutions that may not have otherwise be achieved.
I would like to ensure that the town doesn’t outgrow itself with overbuilding. My husband grew up here and has conveyed to me in his lifetime this community has grown from a rural farming community to a bustling suburb that it is today. As a child, his parents could allow him to safely ride his bicycle through the many wooded areas through town without worry. As we continue to grow we can lose that sense of safety of allowing our children to wander through their town.
But safety isn’t the only thing we can lose. I have made a career working in the Environmental, Health and Safety arena for over 3 decades and living in Franklin for 14 years now I have come to notice an increase in flooding in some parts of town during heavy rainstorms. As the building progresses this will continue to be a potential drainage issue during heavy rain storms and we have all seen the affects of flooding, which rarely occurred when my husband was a child growing up here. That means that we are creating the flooding by diminishing drainage. The drainage is being diminished by over building. Once the buildings, go up you lose that space forever. Not only does it affect drainage it also affects the landscape and the feel of the town. Franklin will be forever changed and if it continues it will not be recognizable to the people who grew up here. It will loose its charm and small town feeling that I was attracted to when I came to live here.
Lastly, it is important to continue to keep property taxes from sky rocketing as it has in other communities so that people who live here can continue to live here. Keeping the towns budget at an achievable level without having to increase taxes is the goal that will continue to keep Franklin an affordable town to live in.
Ed Potosnak
- 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
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.
Sami Shaban
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: n/a
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what: Never.
Membership in any civic organizations: I am a member of the township’s planning board, as well as the Somerset County planning board. I also coach basketball and baseball locally and am the proud coach of the 10-year-old 2021 Franklin Township Baseball league.
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
As a proud father of 4 boys I can tell you that my top priorities are
1. Community: To support a strong sense of community between our parents, students, teachers and staff, and all other members of the community, where we are all working together as a village to raise each and every child as our own,
2. Teacher Retention and Hiring: Teachers and staff are the lifeblood of our school system, and so we need to Increase retention by ensuring teachers and staff are paid appropriately in line with other neighboring districts, and ensuring opportunities for their professional development and personal growth,
3 Safety: To have a safe transition back for our students, teachers and staff.
To deal with the issues, we must work as one community, which for me starts with listening to one another to the thoughts and concerns of students, parents, teachers, administrators and staff, to make the best decision that will allow each and every child to self-actualize their highest potential. Listening to each other will encourage and allow the best ideas to come forward to be implemented. I would also look to encourage more activities for the students and their families that utilize our many parks and facilities, including sports, academic and social programming.
Furthermore, I would investigate more robust ways to support our teachers, counselors, and administrators to provide even more support for our student population. As a parent of a special needs child, I understand that its not just about the right education, but the right education for that child – and if done right at the right time small changes can make all the world of difference. Children in our schools learn differently, and so investing in understanding our children is paramount. Through early detection and intervention, we can get the right level of support to the many children in our district that need it.
In terms of safety, we must listen to the medical professionals and the students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff to build a plan that provides a safe transition back that is sustainable and has the buy-in of the community.
Howell Streger
- 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. …
Experience: Director and Treasurer, Somerset Run Home Owners Association, Chairman Somerset Run Audio/Visual Committee
Issues:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Shepa Uddin
Experience
If incumbent, how many years have you served: I was appointed in Feb 2021, so have been working on council for about 9 months.
If not, have you held any elected position before, and if so, what:
Membership in any civic organizations:
Issues
What do you see as your three top issues, and how do you plan on dealing with them:
While many factors in the current increase in the cost of living are beyond local control, I am determined to provide relief where we can. I’m proud of the fact that we kept Municipal Tax Rate stable this year while still providing the same level of services. I’m committed to continuing to do “more with less” in the future. I would like to see us continue to improve upon our current level of maintenance of Township infrastructure and with more people working remotely, continue to upgrade our parks.
Additionally, we also need to further our outreach. Communication has been more visible, and information being publicized more frequently on our social media platform and alert system. Transparency and open government are crucial because local government only works if there is open communication. I have been meeting with residents whether it’s by zoom, Webex, call, or in person (social distance and mask on!) to listen to their concerns, feedback, and in return collaborate with the appropriate departments to get them answers or solutions to the best of our ability.
James Vassanella
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Carl R.A. Wright
- Traffic: Speeding in Township
Township Council 5th Ward
Top Issues and How to Solve Them
- Traffic: Speeding in Township
Speeding on certain streets in Franklin is an everyday issue. We need to increase the use of some types of calming devices including speed humps, (not speed bumps), rumble strips, (5 to 8 strips parallel) and speed signs which indicate current speed. Speed humps and rumble strips are hard to use and while they are effective, no one wants them in front of their house or on their block. This issue is one of the primary reasons that I have focused on building more sidewalks on our streets. Our pedestrians, and especially our school children, need to be safe when walking along our roadways. Until we increase utilization of the above measures, reducing the problem of speeding will be especially hard.
- Public safety: The Township has grown and so must our Police Force.
Let’s be clear, Police Officers cost money no matter how large or small the force. The Department of Justice, has guidelines on the proper sized force based on population and crime. We need to ensure that the size of our police force can properly meet the challenges we face in Franklin Township.
3) Maintaining Streets and Parks
While everyone may not realize the extent of our road paving program, we actually spend $750,000 every year on paving/repaving our streets based on a grading system that is used by our Public Works Department. Additionally, if residents inform me of a particular road issue or I drive down a street that just doesn’t feel right, I inform the Township Manager in order to have that street checked and if necessary, placed on our list.
Regarding parks, this is always an issue. While many people focus on building new parks, and new parks are important, I also believe that it is just as important to maintain our current parks properly. Dirty areas and broken fixtures are not acceptable and I would like to increase communication with residents regarding the condition of our parks so that we can address these types of issues right away.