VOTE411 Voter Guide

As a current member of the Township Committee, the challenges facing our community are issues I deal with every day.

First and foremost is affordability. Managing the municipal budget while continuing to provide the high level of services residents expect is a top priority. Stretching every taxpayer dollar to its fullest extent is not easy, but through collaboration with our finance team, department heads, and my fellow Committee members, we have been able to maintain exceptional municipal services across the board while remaining fiscally responsible.

The second major challenge is development. New Jersey’s Fair Share Housing laws are structured in a way that gives developers significant leverage to build projects in municipalities regardless of whether those projects fit the character of the community. The current system treats developed and undeveloped land similarly and often prioritizes large-scale construction over local planning considerations.

These policies may work well for communities around New Jersey, Middletown, however, is made up of 11 distinct smaller communities that together form our township’s identity and character.

For decades, the Township Committee has fought development proposals aggressively. While some projects were ultimately approved through court orders, the success was often in significantly reducing the scope and size of those developments—many by at least half of what was originally proposed. While I wish local governments had greater authority to shape their own communities, we continue to work within the realities imposed by state policy to protect Middletown as best we can.

Another important strategy has been land preservation. Through the use of open space funding and partnerships with the Monmouth County, Middletown has acquired properties that otherwise may have been developed, including the Mater Dei property, the former Lincroft Presbyterian Church, and other properties throughout MIddletown. Through these efforts, we have preserved more than 100 acres of open space that can never be developed.

My personal and professional experiences have not only prepared me to serve the community, they have helped shape who I am as a leader.

My foundation in leadership and community service began through scouting during my early teenage years through adulthood. As an Eagle Scout, I learned not only the principles of leadership, but also how to demonstrate leadership through service, teamwork, and responsibility.

From there, I began volunteering in my community through first aid and later the Fire Department. As I progressed through the ranks of the volunteer fire service, leadership training became a critical part of my development. What I did not fully realize at the time was how those experiences would later translate into the professional world and help me become a leader within my industry.

From 2013 through 2018, I served as Chief of Middletown’s Volunteer Fire Department, overseeing approximately 600 members across 11 firehouses while coordinating with municipal leadership and departments throughout the township. That experience gave me firsthand knowledge of public safety operations, budgeting, personnel management, and interdepartmental coordination.

Combined, these experiences have provided me with a balanced understanding of how our town operates from both an operational and financial perspective, giving me a unique background to effectively serve on the Township Committee.

As a member of the Township Committee, I have supported several local initiatives focused on preserving environmental quality and promoting sustainability within Middletown.

These efforts include programs such as our Styrofoam recycling initiative, the sustainable gardening program at Stevenson Park, and encouraging community-driven environmental ideas and innovation.

Recently, a young resident gave a presentation on collecting and reusing rainwater for gardening and other practical purposes. He demonstrated how the system could be built and installed locally. Based on that presentation, Middletown will be implementing one of these systems at Poricy Park to evaluate its effectiveness and potential broader use within the community.

I believe local government should continue supporting practical, community-based environmental initiatives that are both effective and financially responsible.

As a current member of the Township Committee, I have spent the past five years fighting the Fair Share Housing mandates imposed on communities like ours by legislators in Trenton who often do not understand the unique character and needs of suburban municipalities such as Middletown.

One major issue is that Middletown already contains hundreds of housing units that would reasonably qualify as affordable housing, but because many were built prior to 1980, the state does not count them toward our obligations. As a result, more than 300 existing affordable units in our township are effectively ignored under the current formula.

The issue is not whether Middletown offers affordable housing opportunities—it does. The problem lies in how the state defines and mandates affordable housing development. Current policies often allow developers to leverage state mandates to force high-density projects onto municipalities, typically through ratios that combine a small number of affordable units with significantly larger market-rate developments.

This approach has resulted in the large-scale projects and overdevelopment seen throughout many parts of New Jersey, not just Middletown. I believe municipalities should have greater flexibility and local control to meet affordable housing obligations in ways that better fit the character, infrastructure, and long-term planning goals of their communities.

One of my biggest priorities is making sure Middletown continues to be a place that families can afford to live in. Right now, people are feeling the impact of rising costs— from groceries and childcare to utility bills and property taxes. My own family feels it too. That’s why local government has to be responsible with every taxpayer dollar. Residents deserve to know their money is being spent wisely, efficiently, and on the services that truly matter — like public safety, road improvements, parks, and community programs. For example, if elected, I would initiate a multi-year capital plan to systematically improve roadways, drainage, and sidewalks over time. Middletown has built a strong reputation as one of the best-run towns in New Jersey, and I think residents take a lot of pride in that. I want to continue that tradition by supporting smart budgeting, planning responsibly for the future, and making sure we maintain the high quality of services people expect without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.

I’m proud to call Middletown home. I’m a wife, a mom of three young children, and someone who is deeply invested in our community and its future. I currently serve as a Commissioner on the Middletown Housing Authority and as a Government Affairs Community Advisor for 180 Turning Lives Around. Professionally, I’ve spent more than a decade working in public policy here in New Jersey. Through my work in government — including serving former Republican State Senator Jennifer Beck — I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with residents, navigate complex issues, and help advance practical solutions. Beyond my professional experience, I also see Middletown through the eyes of a parent raising a young family here. Like so many families in our community, my husband and I care deeply about keeping Middletown safe, affordable, and a welcoming place to raise children and build a future. That perspective keeps me focused on the everyday issues that matter most to residents and on making thoughtful, practical decisions that protect the quality of life we all value.

Middletown is fortunate to have incredible natural resources, beautiful parks, and open spaces. Given Middletown’s coastal location, I believe local government has an important role to play in practical, commonsense solutions. Preserving parks, recreational areas, and environmentally sensitive land not only protects our community’s character, but also helps with stormwater management and flood mitigation. Maintaining stormwater infrastructure, supporting flood mitigation efforts, and ensuring future development is planned responsibly and in a way that respects the capacity of our community and infrastructure is important. Environmental policy at the local level should be balanced, fiscally responsible, and focused on results rather than one-size-fits-all mandates.

Middletown's neighborhoods, parks, small businesses, and strong sense of community are what make it such a desirable place to live and raise a family. As our town continues to grow and evolve, we need thoughtful leadership that plans responsibly for the future while preserving the character and quality of life that residents value. I will continue to advocate against top-down mandates that push high-density development without regard for the unique footprint, infrastructure, and character of our community. Decisions about development should be made locally — by the people who live here and understand Middletown’s needs — not dictated by outside bureaucracies. These mandates often fail to account for the real impacts on our community, including strain on infrastructure and emergency services. Responsible planning means balancing growth with preservation and ensuring Middletown remains a community families are proud to call home for generations to come.

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