Questions to the Town Council Candidates – Question 1

First in a Series of Questions to the 2023 Berkeley Heights, NJ Town Council Candidates

Please provide residents with your qualifications for the town council (education, experience) and how you feel this background will benefit our community on the council. Please provide (at least) two very specific policy positions you plan to introduce or support during your tenure on the Town Council. (full email to candidates)

Responses Listed in the Order they Were Received:

I possess a wide range of qualifications that make me well-suited for the role of town council member. With over 16 years of experience in medical sales, I have successfully managed territory sales in various medical specialties and disease states. This field has honed my ability to quickly grasp new information, adapt to changing circumstances, and persist in the face of challenges. Additionally, I proudly served in the US Army for 8 years, starting as a Private in 1996 and concluding my service as a Captain. My final position was that of Rear Detachment Commander for a unit deployed during the invasion of Iraq. Through my military service, I have cultivated vital leadership qualities such as accountability, selfless service, respect, and honor. In an environment where failure is not an option, people relied on me, and I am eager to bring these attributes to the town council. I am confident that my background will allow me to quickly familiarize myself with council operations and make meaningful contributions to our community.

During my tenure on the Town Council, I will be committed to advocating for two specific policy positions that address the concerns of our residents:

1. Stop overdevelopment of Berkeley Heights: I firmly believe that our community's character and quality of life should be preserved. As a council member, I will work tirelessly to establish policies that put an end to overdevelopment in Berkeley Heights.
 
2. Infrastructure development to accommodate ongoing overdevelopment: While we address the issue of overdevelopment, it is crucial that we prioritize the necessary infrastructure to support the projects already underway. As a council member, I will advocate for infrastructure improvements that can effectively handle increased traffic, provide adequate parking solutions, and ensure that our utilities and services keep pace with the expanding needs of our growing community. By proactively addressing these challenges, we can maintain the functionality and livability of Berkeley Heights even as it continues to evolve.

These policy positions reflect my dedication to safeguarding our town's character and ensuring that any development occurs in a responsible and sustainable manner. I am eager to collaborate with fellow council members and engage with our residents to bring about positive change that benefits our community as a whole.

To address your questions about qualifications, I possess an extensive educational background, wide-ranging work experience, and comprehensive engagement with our community. These qualifications uniquely equip me to serve Berkeley Heights as a member of the Town Council. Let me share some details.

I hold both a BS in Chemical Engineering and a BA in International Business, and I'm bilingual in Spanish and English. These attributes equip me to tackle a multitude of issues. Moreover, with over 20 years of experience in Finance and Technology, where I've led teams of up to 30 people, I've developed the skills to manage complex situations, innovate solutions, and provide effective leadership.

For more than seven years, I've been involved with the Town Council and Board of Education and served on the Recycling Task Force, demonstrating my dedication to our township. In these roles, I've consistently advocated for fiscal responsibility, opposed overspending and overdevelopment, and successfully campaigned for a 0% tax increase during Covid instead of the proposed 3.1%.

My community engagement extends beyond council-related activities. I've served on the Boy Scouts Troop 368 Committee, on the board of the New Jersey Taxpayers Association, acted as a member of NJ FOG (for open government), and participated as pit crew for the GL Marching Band, among others.

One of my key initiatives for community engagement was facilitating live streaming of both Town Council and Board of Education meetings, significantly enhancing transparency, awareness, and resident participation in Berkeley Heights.

With my engineering background, I bring a unique problem-solving approach to the Council, beneficial for township planning and resolving drainage issues.

If elected, I pledge to halt further PILOTS and redevelopment deals, preventing overdevelopment and easing the taxpayers' burden. My goal is to refocus spending towards residents' needs, maximizing value from every dollar, and avoiding future costly pet projects like the Municipal Building.

I promise to vote against exceeding the NJ mandated spending cap, in the interest of maintaining our township's fiscal health. It's time we reverse the trend of surpassing this cap.

In conclusion, I am committed to upholding unparalleled transparency and resident inclusivity when forming my opinions and casting council votes. I pledge to prioritize your interests, serve the community with unwavering dedication and integrity, and remain free from partisan political influences. With resident support, I envision a stronger, more unified Berkeley Heights for us all.

Margaret Illis (D) and Bill Machado (D) did not submit Responses to our Questions.

Both Are Welcome To Respond to Future Questions to the Candidates.

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