VOTE411 Voter Guide

I am running to create a balance on the East Windsor Town Council so different ideas and viewpoints can be implemented to better serve and protect the people of East Windsor , I am college educated , a business owner , a husband and a father . I bring experience in educational areas , fiscal areas and studied public administration and criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC which my knowledge will help to combat the recent wave of home robberies and auto crime by putting more Police Officers at night when the crimes are occurring . I also plan to work with the NJ State Police and Mercer County Sheriff to get help and create task forces when needed as well as coordinate with other local Police Departments such as Hightstown and Robbinsville to have mutual responses when serious crimes occur .

My priorities are to make sure the Township Council is transparent in all that we are doing including approving and publishing the Council minutes on a timely basis as well as having printouts available detailing any ordinances or resolutions that are up for approval before they are approved . In terms of the recent crime wave as stated we will get more manpower deployed at night to combat this as well as create task forces when needed and work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. If needed supervisors and investigators will be utilized to work in uniform and undercover to combat crimes. We want to better monitor the East Windsor Regional School District as around 60 percent of residents property taxes go towards education, and we are doing this now by attending Board of Education meetings with our Hightstown East Windsor Republican Club of which I am the First Vice President and the Chair of the Education Committee. They recently approved a 857,000 scoreboard for the High School football team . This is outrageous and while we don't have direct oversight of the Board of Education, had we been on Council we would surely have made the district 14 Assembly Representaives aware of this as well as the County Commissioners and we have made the public aware of this as it was done very quickly and without much information. That funding was earmarked for ESL and Special Education and its a misappropriation of taxpayer money that should never have happened and won't happen under our watch .

I would explain the positive and negative aspects of the issues to make people understand why want to do what we feel is in the best interests of the people of East Windsor as a whole . We currently don't know what issues the public disagrees on because the current township council meetings are under attended , the public has little opportunity to get questions answered and minutes are not regularly published .

We would have to abide by all state and federal mandates when dealing with ICE . There is a legal way to enter this country, and everyone should be required to enter legally. Remember when some countries open their doors and send people here and encourage illegal crossing, they are not sending us their teachers, scientists, and working people they are sending us their criminals. There are exceptions as far as very young children brought here by their parents who are now adults and cant get a driver's license or a good job or vote due to no fault of their own. We call them " dreamers " and I do feel for them and would love to create a solution to find a path to citizenry for those dreamers who are law abiding .

We have a lot of people who like to walk to get exercise and fresh air . An older lady was walking with traffic and in dark clothing at night and she got hit by a car and died . This was no one's fault , It was a tragic accident. The Town Council (who I am not blaming for this accident) decided to keep it out of the public eye by hiding it . We have made that an educational issue in our flyer telling people to walk against traffic where possible, wear light clothing and a reflective vest at night, carry a flashlight and don't be distracted by wearing headphones. The current town council seemed to mock this at a recent meeting that myself and my running mates David Meiswinkle and Anna Lustenberg were in attendance at . They seemed to be acting like it was a joke that people should know how to walk without being told . Well, its not a joke, a person died in that incident.

First and foremost, I am running for Township Council because the makeup of the town is bipartisan so the Township Council should better reflect the community. For 28 years, Republicans have not had a voice on Council. In fact, I was the last Republican to serve on Council from 1994 through 1997. I bring the experience of having served on Council, the Planning Board, the Environmental Commission, the Commission on Aging, and as a Council Liaison to the Fire and Rescue Squads. As liaison to the Environmental Commission, I offered the suggestion of a Memorial Tree Program which was approved and put into place by Council. As a retired Government Relations Director for Verizon, I have worked with state, county, and local government officials throughout the state. I have also served as a corporate lobbyist and have testified on behalf of my company’s key legislative initiatives. I have worked closely with the NJ League of Municipalities, the NJ Association of Counties, and the NJ Conference of Mayors. I have served on the League of Municipalities Economic Development Committee. I have studied Political Science at Rider University, Community Relations Management at Boston College, and have a certificate in Leadership from the Wharton School. I am also a Graduate Fellow of Lead NJ, Class of 2000. Lead NJ provides a year-long program for community leaders who travel around the state to study the policy issues of New Jersey. With my previous East Windsor Township Council experience plus my closely related business experience, I believe that I am well qualified to serve the residents of East Windsor on the Township Council.

My top priorities are Crime, Transparency, and Fiscal Responsibility. I also serve as the President of my Homeowners Association (HOA) where fiscal responsibility is our top priority. This should be the same priority for the East Windsor Township Council. The challenge is always balancing what’s needed with what it costs and how it impacts property taxes. Although taxes have remained relatively flat, the offset was that fees for services have dramatically increased. I can see that in the fees that my HOA now pays for mandated inspections. Okay that’s one way to keep taxes down. However, more should be done to positively increase tax revenues. I have long advocated for a Council Liaison to the Board of Education (BOE). While the Township Council doesn’t have control over the BOE, it would be wise to have a Council Liaison attend all meetings to understand what goes into the largest portion of our property tax bill. For example, why was it necessary to have such an expensive scoreboard, $857,000, installed while cutting other vital school programs? If there had been a Council Liaison in attendance when it was proposed, perhaps an interlocal agreement could have been created to help find a more reasonably priced scoreboard. I Crime is rising with a wave of home invasions and car thefts. Council needs to work with the Police Department to make sure we have the correct number of police officers and that they are deployed in a most strategic manner. I would reinstate the Neighborhood Watch to help keep the residents informed about the key police issues and to educate the residents how to best protect themselves. Also, our Nixle alert service is completely underutilized. Since Nixle is a regional service, residents see how often other towns use this alert service to report traffic jams, accidents, and other helpful information. Both of these issues lead to concerns about Transparency.

This would depend on the issue. For example, a recent Town Hall with Congressman Conaway almost turned into a brawl because people thought it was a Democrat rally instead of a Congressional update for ALL residents, regardless of party affiliation. Democrats in the audience were disrespectful to people of differing opinions. Unfortunately, some Republican speakers were also disrespectful. Not all issues can be resolved to the point of consensus. Sometimes, you just have to agree to disagree. However, that should always be done respectfully. I’ve always liked the way the tragically assassinated Charlie Kirk would ask people to “Prove Me Wrong.” He would engage those who agreed and disagreed with him with great respect. A true dialogue would ensue. Perhaps, that’s the answer. Whatever the issue, it must be discussed respectfully. Debating is good. It keeps you on your toes. It makes you think. Ideas come forth from people with whom you don’t always agree. Honestly, I’m suspect of people who are always in agreement. President Abraham Lincoln purportedly said, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Perhaps, the best advice comes from my childhood when it was agreed with friends that you “set the rules of the game before it starts” so you have guidelines to follow!

An East Windsor Township Council Member takes an oath of office that states that they will uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. To do otherwise would be an abdication of this sworn oath. I would honor that oath.

Here I will go into more detail about Transparency. Discussion: There is so little discussion on Township Council one wonders how 7 distinct individuals could always be in agreement on every issue. No questions are raised. No one ever votes “No.” No one ever has a better idea! Worse, it leads residents to assume that key discussions are taking place behind closed doors which is a violation of the Sunshine Laws. I have nicknamed it the “Bobblehead Council.” If I’m elected to Council, I will always participate to the fullest. Timely approval of the minutes: This is so basic that I don’t understand why the Mayor and Council aren’t more aggressive in the approval of the meeting minutes. At first it was explained that there were technical difficulties. However, as we see now, and as I suspected, these minutes were never approved and could not be posted. I will always demand that the meeting minutes be approved at the next meeting. Meeting Prep: Come to the meeting prepared to participate in the discussion. Better yet, have a discussion! At the meeting, the Mayor and Council seem to be reading their documents. I will always come to the meeting prepared with my questions and concerns. Sound system: This sound system is from 30 years ago. It can’t be that expensive to upgrade. Also, the Mayor and Council should know that a microphone has to be close to you when you’re speaking. It is impossible to hear the Council discussions. When I’m on Council, we will explore the settings, the proper usage, and, if necessary, new audio equipment. Website: Several years ago, Monmouth University did a review of municipal websites and East Windsor came in at 296! The website was revamped but I don’t see any difference. We have volunteer committees that should be open to the public; however, I can’t find a schedule to attend these meetings. When I’m on Council, I will demand transparency in these areas of concern and much more.

I am a United States Army, Viet Nam era veteran; a retired New Brunswick Police Officer; a New Jersey licensed attorney with significant work-relation with the New Jersey Public Defenders Office. I am the oldest of seven children and have three children and four grand children of my own. I have a varied background from employment in a glass factory to substitute teaching, to adjunct professor at a community college, to college administrator as Coordinator of Handicapped at Rutgers College. As an undergraduate at Rutgers College, I was President of the Student Body. As a soldier I was stationed in Germany and trained with nuclear missiles. I took a leave of absence from a job and traveled around the world by myself with a backpack. My background allows me to be objective and discerning. I have a BA from Rutgers College , an MA from New York University and a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University Law School. East Windsor Township Government needs new blood. The same party has been completely in power for 28 years, seven Democrats and no Republicans. The Council elects the Mayor. There has been approximately 672 Council meetings during that time with no oversight of what is going and how the tax money is being spent. No checks and balances for the budgets, programs and policies. I am running for office to help make East Windsor Township government more responsive and open to the Public.

Being a former police officer, I want to have a close relation with law enforcement. Public Safety is a priority. Too many burglaries to homes and cars are occurring as well as thefts.. I would attempt to deploy unmarked cars and plain clothes officers in vulnerable areas during night hours. Transparency in government is essential. By having more independent thinkers on the Council it will be able to weigh the pros and cons of a situation better and more fairly. My Priority in Government is Transparency and Accountability as well as Public Safety

Public Safety issue- How best to address it. Start up the Neighborhood Crime Watch (to hear what's going on in neighborhoods) police department being important in helping facilitate that Poor Student Progress/Performance issue- Council to create a Liasson Committee with Board of Education want to hear [parents and teachers ideas on more effective methods of teaching and learning...would also want input from students when practical. Attempt to tap grants which may provide funds that could be helpful in setting up a responsive structure to address the problem what ever it maybe.

As a citizen and an elected official of the EWT government we have a responsibility to obey the law but also in an official capacity to assist in enforcement compliance with the law. ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration law. As a Councilman I am fully supportive of their efforts and I would expect our Police Department to be likewise.

Top issues are: 1.Transparency and balance in Government 2. Public Safety 3. Accountability for poor student school performance especially grade schools. Largest slice of our EWT property taxes go to supporting education which is failing. The Council should have a liaison committee to work with Board of Education.. 4. Master Plan for EWT growth must be studied and evaluated to insure balance in commercial and residential development.

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