Learn More About Dan's Vision for Warren

I believe that Township meetings should be accessible to everyone. We all lead busy lives and it is not always convenient to physically attend meetings, but that should not preclude our civic engagement. Zoom or a similar platform should be available to residents to not only remotely observe meetings but to participate in making public comments. Our Mayor has made it clear from her statements and votes that she is opposed to Zoom. Why? If Covid taught us anything about accessibility, it is that virtual platforms like Zoom are an effective way to engage and communicate when you can’t physically be present. Zoom access for public meetings should be embraced for the potential increase in community engagement.

Responsible town planning means not only making sound decisions, but thoughtful advance planning. Decisions as important as this should not be left to the eleventh hour before State-mandated deadlines as has historically been the case in Warren. Our town has joined other municipalities in New Jersey in challenging the legality of the State’s Affordable Housing laws. In my opinion, this multi-municipality litigation is the most effective way to challenge the law. As history has shown time and again, one municipality “fighting” their obligation is unlikely to have the intended results. 

The multi-municipality approach is more cost effective and fiscally conservative, since it involves pooling collective resources to wage a unified challenge to the law. There is strength in numbers and in collaborating on ideas regarding litigation strategy. In the meantime, while I am pleased that the town has finally hired a planner, we must find ways to not burden certain areas of our town by committing to careful and thoughtful planning to determine the least intrusive, most viable locations for these obligations. The law is the law unless (or until) it changes in Trenton so we have to plan responsibly. 

My goal is to ensure that vendor contracts are awarded based on competitive bidding. We need RFPs to be widely promoted so that we are soliciting many competitive bids.  Warren residents deserve a strong pool of bidders so that we can retain the best and the most qualified for positions.  I will also not agree to award a bid to any company who has a direct financial or business relationship with a committee member. 

I am committed to enforcing merit-based appointments on subcommittees so they are not stacked solely with campaign donors and friends and relatives of committee members as has historically been the case in Warren. These positions should be filled with the best and brightest - people who have the skill, expertise, and time to serve. 

Unlike others, I am not tethered to the “old guard” of Warren politics. As an attorney, I hold myself to a high standard of integrity. No one is pulling the strings or exerting influence on my decisions. I am committed to making well informed, fiscally responsible decisions for the town.  My decisions will be guided solely by what is in the best interests of Warren. I only answer to YOU, my fellow residents. 

All residents should be treated with respect. As a Committee Member, I will work for YOU. I am committed to acting with integrity and treating residents with the courtesy and respect they deserve. I will also not countenance intimidation or bullying which we have seen exhibited in recent administrations. Everyone in this town should feel safe and comfortable voicing their opinions in meetings and applying for open subcommittee positions.

Public commentary should be welcomed and considered. The 3-minute public commentary clock at Township Meetings instituted by our Mayor, should be eliminated. Resident engagement should be encouraged, not hindered. Residents should not be made to feel like a nuisance by elected officials for actively participating in town government. I pledge to listen to opposing points of view and consider all opinions before making decisions. 

I often hear from fellow residents that certain neighborhoods feel that the town is neglecting their concerns or that certain neighborhoods are favored over others. Right or wrong, this is the perception and perception becomes reality. I would like to explore forming an advisory committee made up of residents from different sections of town which can provide a forum to discuss neighborhood-centric concerns, events, and ideas which the Township Committee can address and recognize. Everyone should have their voices heard and every neighborhood has different issues they are dealing with. This committee could serve as their forum to do so.