Patricia Walsh: Somerset County Freeholder Candidate Profile

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — There is a contested race for the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders election this upcoming November election with two candidates vying for the one open seat.

Incumbent Republican Patricia L. "Pat" Walsh is running against Democratic newcomer Melonie Marano of Green Brook for the only three-year seat in the election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Here is a look at who Walsh is and why she is running. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions and each candidate profile will be posted on Patch's site as it gets closer to the election.

Patricia L. "Pat" Walsh

Describe yourself:

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and community leader who first began my public service when I was elected to serve in Green Brook Township as Committeewoman and eventually was elected to serve as Mayor. Since being elected a Freeholder, I have served as the liaison to the Somerset County Business Partnership, the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women, Leadership Somerset, the County’s Homelessness Trust Fund, and the Finance and Human Services Committees. Throughout my public service, I have fought to lower our taxes and spearhead initiatives to elevate, empower, and mentor women across Somerset County.

My husband, Jack, and I have lived in Somerset County for 39 years and I have had the pleasure of raising my family here. Since we moved to the county, we’ve experienced all the wonderful things it has to offer — boundless acres of open space, a wonderful park system, safe and secure neighborhoods, vibrant and diverse communities, and most importantly, a strong public education system. It truly has been, and remains, a wonderful place to live, work, and retire.

Aside from my experience as an elected official, I have immersed myself in countless community organizations, including the Somerset County Sexual Assault Response Team, the Green Brook 9/11 Memorial Committee, Meals on Wheels, served as a guest lecturer at the Christie Todd Whiteman Series for Public Services and the Rutgers University Graduate Program in Political Science. I have been fortunate enough to be recognized by my peers and have received the Women of Excellence Award from the National Foundation of Women Legislators, the Millicent Fenwick Award for Distinguished Public Service, and the La Tribuna’s Distinguished Woman Award.

Professionally, I serve as a visiting nurse with Holy Redeemer Home Care and received my education at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Thomas Edison State College.

What experience do you have that would help you serve?

I’m running for re-election to continue the Republican-led Board of Chosen Freeholder’s legacy of good government, to protect and preserve more acres of open space, maintain our first class services to seniors, and above all else, continue the County’s reputation of running a fiscally-conservative government to keep Somerset County affordable for all residents. I cannot stress enough that this reputation does not happen by chance. Under the leadership of good Republican governance, Somerset County has become the model county for the entire nation. As a public servant, I recognize that serving the residents of Somerset County is a privilege — one that I have not taken for granted.

I have served, both at the local and county level, and understand the acute intricacies of managing budgets, responding to emerging needs, and delivering an array of high-level quality services. Throughout my life, I have ingrained myself into the fabric of each community that I serve and delivered results. I’m a proven leader who has delivered:

• Nearly 15,000 acres of open space to Somerset County residents;
• A stable tax rate that offsets the ever-increasing taxes from Trenton Democrats;
• Mentorship opportunities that help empower and promote women across Somerset County; and
• Smart planning that has allowed Somerset County to plan for the next 10 years, allowing us to be a proactive, not a reactive, form of government.

Leaders should be judged by their results, and the Republican-led Board of Chosen Freeholders has delivered. I look forward to using my expertise to continue delivering for the residents of Somerset County.

What issues would you like to address if elected?

The top issue that’s on every residents’ mind is taxes, taxes, and taxes. During my tenure on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, as well as my time serving as the Mayor of Green Brook Township, I have repeatedly focused on ways of reducing the tax burden we place on residents, all while increasing the number of services offered. Budgeting is a tough process, but as public servants, we must challenge ourselves to evaluate the effectiveness and cost of each program. Since I joined the Board, I have tasked myself and my fellow Freeholders with undertaking and studying the feasibility of shared service agreements. An example of this is through the negotiated merger of the Somerset and Hunterdon County jail operations and a detailed review with outside special counsel of the operations and financing of a county-wide solar project. Considering Trenton’s open checkbook policy, County Government now, more than ever, must lead the way as fiscal stewards to taxpayers.

Another key issue facing Somerset County residents is transportation. During my tenure on the board, we have worked to implement a County Shuttle system. Presently, the County has the SCOOT service, which provides service in the central part of the County, the DASH service, which provides service between Bound Brook and the New Brunswick train station, and CAT, which provides access to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. The county must continue to offer these services to provide convenient access to transportation and understand the changing needs of our communities. We must also continue to fight for a one-seat ride service along the Raritan Valley Line. I am lock-step with my fellow Freeholders, state and congressional elected officials to provide one-seat ride service to Somerset County residents. Improving the County’s transportation service will further convenience residents, all while reducing the number of cars we have on our roads. This is a win-win, for both residents and the environment.

The final issue I would seek to address is maintaining the progress that the Republican-led Freeholder Board has instituted here in Somerset County. We pride ourselves on being recognized, year in and year out, by national organizations for the wonderful programs, quality of life, and services we provide to the residents of Somerset County. Simply put, this did not happen by chance. Under Republican leadership, Somerset has achieved envious heights, but our work is not yet finished. I’m running to keep Somerset moving forward and with the knowledge and wherewithal to get the job done for the next generation.

Why should voters vote for you?

I have the experience we need to keep Somerset County safe and strong. I’m running again because I want to give back to a community that has given my family so much. Somerset County is known for its amazing quality of life and our residents recognize that.

According to Niche, a national leader who uses public data sets and public reviews, Somerset County has been recognized for the services we provide, our diversity, public education system, and the health of our residents. Just last year, our county was ranked by Niche, as the:

• Best county to live and raise a family in New Jersey;
• Best county for outdoor activities in New Jersey;
• County with the best public education system in New Jersey; and
• The healthiest county in the entire state.

I am proud of my accomplishments on the Freeholder Board and I cannot impress upon voters that this does not happen by chance. The proactive form of government we have instituted here in Somerset has, and continues to, serve all residents well. I look forward to continuing to serve as a fierce advocate for all residents of our beautiful county.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the election profile, email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

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