Qualifications/Experience
I have served as Mayor of Bernardsville for two terms and previously served on the Bernardsville Borough Council. Before entering municipal government, I was a School Business Administrator, giving me extensive experience in public-sector budgeting, financial management, administration, personnel, contracts, and long-term planning. As mayor, I have worked collaboratively with the Borough Council, municipal staff, residents, businesses, and county and state partners on issues including fiscal responsibility, downtown redevelopment, infrastructure, public safety, affordable housing, open space, and maintaining Bernardsville’s character and quality of life.
Involvement in Community
My involvement in Bernardsville spans more than 50 years. I have served as Mayor since 2019 and previously served six years on the Borough Council, but my commitment to the community began long before holding elected office. I have served on the boards of MainStreet Bernardsville and the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Advisory Committee, as well as the Bernardsville Open Space Committee. I have chaired the Outstanding Community Volunteers Awards, Wreaths Across America, and Bernardsville’s Centennial Celebration. My community service has also included Boy Scouts, Bernards High Home & School Association, Trilogy Repertory Company, St. Bernard’s Church, and helping create community playgrounds and Bernardsville’s annual holiday celebration. I also co-founded Citizens for a Better Bernardsville. I believe strongly in volunteerism and giving back. I am proud to have spent decades helping make Bernardsville a connected and caring community.
Slogan
Keeping Our Community First
A vibrant downtown is essential to Bernardsville’s future. We need to continue encouraging appropriate redevelopment, attracting new businesses, supporting our existing businesses, and improving the pedestrian experience. Our Transit Village designation provides an opportunity to build on the connection between our train station, downtown businesses, housing, and community life. I will continue working with property owners, businesses, MainStreet Bernardsville, residents, and our planning professionals to encourage thoughtful development that enhances—not diminishes—the character of Bernardsville.
My budget priorities are to protect taxpayers, maintain essential services, and invest strategically in Bernardsville’s future.
For the annual operating budget, I will prioritize public safety, ; maintaining roads, sidewalks, drainage, parks, and public facilities; retaining a qualified municipal workforce while managing personnel costs responsibly; finding efficiencies through shared services, grants, and other cost-saving measures; and supporting a strong and vibrant downtown.
For the capital budget, I will prioritize road paving and and stormwater improvements; sidewalk and pedestrian improvements, particularly downtown; and park and recreation improvements.
Bernardsville can reduce its carbon footprint by making practical, cost-effective improvements to municipal operations while pursuing opportunities that benefit taxpayers as well as the environment. My priorities would include improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, particularly in and around our downtown and train station, to make it easier for residents to walk, bike, and use public transportation; reducing waste through recycling, responsible purchasing, and reducing unnecessary use of paper and other materials in municipal operations; and using sustainable practices in parks, landscaping, stormwater management, and municipal projects where they are appropriate and economically feasible.
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