The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.
What motivates you to run for Mayor, and what experiences, background, and training make you the better candidate?
I decided to run because I feel the current administration has lost site of it's most important job, which is improving the quality of life in the community. Every year taxes go up and services go down. Our roads have been neglected, shopping is limited and entertainment is non existent. All new development is either warehouses or condo's. My background is in accounting and finance and I feel those skills will be integral in efficiently and effectively direct spending to improve quality of life in South Brunswick.
A municipality has two budgets - the annual operating budget and a capital budget. What priorities for each of these budgets would you support?
-Quality of life needs to be the fundamental decision driver of any government. With that in mind, top priorities for the operating budget would be community activities and the public health department. As I walk around town knocking on doors and speaking to people I hear a lot of complaints about nothing for their kids to do and nothing that brings the town together. Also the town has outsourced the majority of the public health department activities to the county. I believe we need to bring this back under town control. As for the capital budget roads and infrastructure need to be first priority. I would also look into the development of a town center and a youth sports training center.
Given the voters' competing needs, including for a safe environment, adequate transportation, and appropriate housing development, what new proposals for ordinances, if any, are needed?
South Brunswick has almost doubled in population in the twenty five years I've lived here without any major upgrades to the infrastructure. Traffic has become a nightmare, accidents continue to increase and flooding has become a bigger problem. While I understand the need for additional housing proper traffic flow and water runoff needs to be a bigger priority when green lighting new projects.
What, if anything, can municipal government do to mitigate the local effects of climate change?
Obviously the issue of climate change is heavily debated these days but everyone has a responsibility to the environment. It is incumbent on all municipal governments to maintain the most effective, efficient and cost effective use of public and natural resources. I believe the town needs to put a greater emphasis on redeveloping vacant properties rather than developing on current open space.
What do you consider the most important challenges for South Brunswick Township?
South Brunswick is a great town but some of the challenges would be our infrastructure. continued additions of high density housing communities, and warehouses has put a strain on our roadways, schools and environment. We need to take a look at our roadways and make improvements not just continually filling pothole. Additionally, we need to bring back more small businesses, restaurants, and entertainment to South Brunswick at this point in time just about anything you want to do you need to leave our town. My goal will be to make South Brunswick a destination to travel to instead of away from.
What personal and professional experiences have prepared you for addressing these challenges?
As retired law enforcement I have learned how to work with people even at times when they don’t want to work with you. Working in a correctional facility I have spent years managing a self contained city, schooling, religious services, work details and recreational schedules and the daily operations of providing a healthy, clean and safe environment for the resident population.
Given the voters' competing needs, including for a safe environment, adequate transportation, and appropriate housing development, what new proposals for ordinances, if any, are needed?
Providing safe environment is a major concern for me. South Brunswick is a relatively safe town and I intend to keep it that way. A strong we’ll trained police force is needed to ensure safety in the town. I will look into expanding our public transportation providing our residents with a reasonable and safe way to commute. Housing development needs to be organized and planned we need to both insure additional housing be both located in areas that do not add to our congested roadways but at the same time located so that they have easy accessibility to local stores and restaurants
Residents without cars are hard-pressed to get around our area. Do you think South Brunswick needs a bus system with more frequent trips and more stops? If so, how should it be managed?
Residence who do not own their own vehicles, should have adequate accessibility to public transportation. I will look into providing better public transportation, both to assist those who do not have their own transportation and provide a greener form of transportation.
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