Basking Ridge Primary Election Profile: Sophia Chadda

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township's preliminary election on July 7 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. Dr. Sophia Chadda, 49, is one of two Democratic candidates running.

Chadda has worked as a board-certified periodontist for the past 20 years.

Her family includes her husband, Dr. Konstantine Trichas, and three children. Chadda has attended Columbia University, SUNY Buffalo Dental School, and Rutgers Dental School.

Are you running for office in Basking Ridge? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Basking Ridge Patch.

Campaign website

ChaddaSandler2020.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I chose Bernards Township 21 years ago as the place to raise my family, and 5 years later chose to build my business here. With my love for the town and my scientific, evidence-based approach to problem solving, I am confident I can increase transparency, reduce waste, and encourage greater participation of more of my fellow residents in our civic affairs. My background in healthcare, experience owning and running a business in town, and being a parent gives me the understanding and perspective to lead -- especially during this pandemic. My objective unbiased approach, business acumen, and compassion makes me uniquely qualified to help us navigate the challenges faced from the pandemic and lead us through a swift and effective recovery. I would be honored to serve my township neighbors and work to improve our future together.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our community is the ever-rising property taxes. For decades, residents have seen property taxes continually rise. I intend to help control property taxes in several ways. First, by taking a proactive approach to township issues (development, infrastructure, municipal services), we can plan to sensibly fulfill state mandates while minimizing impact on residents and eliminating lawsuits from developers. The township committee needs to be proactive and not reactionary. Second, by partnering with our township’s business community and residents, we can encourage the growth of our businesses which would increase business tax revenue while reducing the homeowner property tax burden and increasing the convenience to residents. One way to accomplish this is to establish an Economic Development Commission to help grow our business community, thus increasing tax revenue from businesses while reducing the reliance on homeowners. Third, I intend to ensure all township departments are operating efficiently and eliminating waste. Projects need to be planned so that, for example, we don’t pave a road only to rip it up a few months later. I will help ensure consulting projects are engaged only when necessary so we don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on unnecessary projects and studies.

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

I have a scientific background and am driven by data, numbers, planning, and a tactical approach. My running mate, Jon Sandler, is a skilled attorney with experience in representing municipalities. Our skills and expertise compliment each other. The opposition, on the other hand, does not seem to have any plans in place other than leveraging personal and professional relationships they may or may not have in Trenton.

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

Over the past several decades, the township has faced numerous lawsuits — and lost most of them — at significant expense to taxpayers that could have been easily avoided with proper planning and execution. The township committee, controlled by the same political party for decades, spends hundreds of thousands on consultants and questionable projects — trying to eliminate the charming trickle of water crossing the road in Pleasant Valley Park, for example. We have seen roads newly paved only to be ripped up a few months later. We have seen tremendous development with little consideration to traffic flow and hazardous planning, such as the flawed design of the Riverwalk shopping center parking lot. It’s time for the township committee to consider the needs of residents, be transparent, and not think of taxpayers as a limitless source of funds.

In addition, I am deeply disappointed that our township chose not to defer May 2020 property taxes despite authorization from Governor Murphy and the compassion expressed by neighboring municipalities by allowing their residents to defer May quarterly property tax payments. The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant health, living and financial burdens on our community and the township committee should be cognizant of those needs and respond in any way possible. Deferring taxes for one month, as the Governor said, "is the right thing to do," and it is a shame the current Township Committee disregarded our residents’ pleas for leniency. A 30-day deferral should be a reasonable, manageable, and compassionate decision our township committee could make especially as our township has a $16 million surplus for emergency situations. This is the time to leverage that surplus to offer much needed relief to residents experiencing a loss of income.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Three other issues that define my platform are reducing the homeowner property tax burden, effective planning development, and improving our roadways and infrastructure. I will work with business owners and residents to provide prosperous business districts that increase convenience, satisfaction, and tax revenue as discussed above in my plan to form an Economic Development Commission. I will collaborate with regulators and developers by planning for our future and eliminating unnecessary legal action/expense while enforcing zoning laws or creating new zoning laws to maintain the charm and desirability to live and work in Bernards Township. I am committed to taking a planned, sensible approach to upgrading and maintaining our roadways, expanding sidewalks and bike paths/lanes and investigating ways to provide increased competition for cable/satellite TV, internet, and wireless communications services.

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?

As a small business owner and periodontist in Basking Ridge, I am well versed in managing and running a business. After visiting more than 100 businesses in town and discussing their concerns, I am uniquely qualified to address how to develop and revitalize our township businesses to ultimately increase our rateables and decrease the tax burden on homeowners.

I am a graduate of Leadership Somerset, an active member of the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women, have been on the Bernards Township Board of Health, and am scheduled to volunteer for the Bernards Township Domestic Violence Response Team. I have also served as class mom at my children’s school several years. In addition, I am a member of various dental societies and have numerous officer positions including past president of the Tri County Dental Society of New Jersey and past vice president of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists. I have also been named Top Dentist by New Jersey Monthly magazine.

During this pandemic, it is important to get people back to work safely and with my dental and business experience, I can help lead the charge to make Bernards Township effectively and efficiently do so.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be good to people, always be honest and straightforward and work hard. Kindness and compassion doesn’t cost a penny.

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

My word is my bond and my commitment is unwavering. I know listening is very different from hearing and what you say matters less than what is heard and understood. I love making new connections with people and promise to always listen to my constituents, regardless of their political affiliation, and to represent them with understanding, respect, compassion and truth. It’s the right thing to do and the neighborly thing to do.

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