Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: Jon Sandler

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township's preliminary election on July 7 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. Jon Sandler, 40, is one of two Democratic candidates running.

Sandler has worked as an attorney for the past 14 years.

His family includes his wife, Kelly, who works an Assistant Prosecutor in the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, and two daughters Avery, 10, and Finley, 8.

Sandler has a Bachelor of Science from Montclair State University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School.

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Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Bernards Township District 5 County Committee Person to the Somerset County Democratic Committee

Campaign website

ChaddaSandler2020.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

My family and I moved to Bernards 5 years ago and my children attend the Oak Street School. We love the town's charm, the people here, and the sense of community. I’m running for Township Committee, to give back to the community, and make sure that Bernards Township is the best place it can be for many years to come. Utilizing my legal and business experience, I’m eager to help Bernards Township realize its full potential by putting the needs of the residents of Bernards Township first, without caving to outside interests.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are many issues facing our township, especially during these challenging times. However, I believe the single most pressing issue facing our community over the past several years has been the wasted municipal resources, both in time and money, in avoidable litigation. These lawsuits have not only cost Bernards Township significant taxpayer dollars, they have also painted the Township in a negative light on the local and national level. I do not like to see our taxes wasted, and the reputation of our Township sullied, and intend to put practices in place to ensure we engage in effective and efficient negotiations with regulators, developers, and businesses to control our destiny and provide for sensible, responsible growth.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My education and experience as a practicing attorney working with municipalities and negotiating with developers provides me with the expertise necessary to advocate for Bernards Township and its residents. My running mate, Dr. Sophia Chadda, has her periodontal practice in town and has a disciplined, data-driven sensible approach to problem solving. Our skills and expertise compliment each other. The opposition, on the other hand, has not set forth any meaningful plan to advance the best interests of our town. It seems as though the opposition is satisfied with simply maintaining the status quo, which has exposed Bernards Township to costly litigation and overdevelopment.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I was surprised to see how unprepared the Township was to the evolving Affordable Housing regulations. By failing to be proactive in terms of understanding what the obligations would be, the Township was left vulnerable and had to negotiate from a point of weakness as opposed to strength. By failing to be prepared, Bernards Township had no leverage and was forced to accept deals that were not in the best interests of the community overall. This poor planning will negatively impact Bernards Township for years to come, all on the backs of the taxpayers.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

In addition to controlling our property taxes, I intend to create a plan to improve the condition of our roadways and infrastructure, improve township zoning laws, and control growth and development while eliminating needless spending. The one area where I believe Bernards Township could benefit from sensible expansion is by working to attract small businesses to Bernards Township, such as additional restaurants, coffee shops, and locally based retail businesses. Not only would these small businesses be appealing to the residents of Bernards Township, they would also generate additional tax dollars that could be used to offset the property taxes paid by the homeowners of Bernards Township.

These are only some of the issues that shape my platform. To learn more, to ask me any questions, and to get involved with the campaign, please visit chaddasandler2020.com.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as an attorney who has represented municipalities in litigation puts me in a unique position to understand how to make informed decisions that benefit the residents of Bernards Township, while also limiting the township’s exposure.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

There is no substitute for hard work.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am involved in the local community. I have coached my daughters’ basketball and softball teams and have also been the Circle Leader in the YMCA Adventure Guides Program. I also serve on the Board of Trustees for Temple Har Shalom in Warren.