Congratulations to Illis and Machado on a Clean Campaign and Election Victory

Steve Mondragon, Edmund Tom Maciejewski, and the ‘Stop The Overdevelopment in Berkeley Heights’ team

As the outcomes of the Berkeley Heights Township Council election are now solidified, we, the ‘Stop The Overdevelopment in Berkeley Heights’ team led by Steve Mondragon and Edmund Tom Maciejewski, take a moment to commend both the process and the participants. Our congratulations go out to Margaret Illis and Bill Machado for their electoral victory, and for their role in a campaign season that was marked by its civility and dedication to the issues at hand—a welcome change from the political norm in Berkeley Heights.

The central pillar of our campaign was the overdevelopment crisis, a topic of critical concern for our community. We remain committed to ensuring that the pledges made by all candidates to combat this crisis are seen through to action. The task of managing this overdevelopment crisis, and with it the future character and sustainability of Berkeley Heights, now lies with the Council now under Democrat leadership. This leadership change represents a significant shift from Republican to Democrat governance and brings with it a responsibility to govern with an open ear to all constituents’ concerns.

While we recognize the decision made by the majority of voters, we also remind the new Council members that a considerable portion of the electorate—about 45%—voted for Republican candidates, underscoring a substantial ideological diversity within our town. It is our sincere hope that this spectrum of opinion is respected and that the new leadership will collaborate across party lines, considering Republican ideals and perspectives as they govern.

The ‘Stop The Overdevelopment in Berkeley Heights’ team stands unwavering in our commitment to the town’s well-being. In light of the rapid pace at which development has progressed, we advocate for a pause on new projects until the impacts of current developments are fully realized and addressed. We believe that our town has reached a tipping point and that it is crucial to halt further development to preserve the unique character and livability of Berkeley Heights.

The campaign from Illis and Machado seemed to reflect a shared concern regarding the overdevelopment crisis, and we earnestly hope that they will follow through with their campaign promises. It is now their task to embrace the challenges ahead and make good on the commitment to address the pressing issue of overdevelopment in our town.

With enduring commitment,

Steve Mondragon, Edmund Tom Maciejewski, and the ‘Stop The Overdevelopment in Berkeley Heights’ team

Visit Our 2023 Berkeley Heights Candidates Page to Read More From the Candidates