Timothy Ring: Bridgewater Council Candidate Profile

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — There is a heated and contested race for the Bridgewater Mayor and Council this upcoming November election due to ongoing issues of development in the township.

Republican Timothy Ring is running for township council on the ticket with Matthew Moench and Michael Kirsh against Democrats John Arcoleo, Patti Selikoff and Jeffrey J. Brookner.

Ring, Kirsh, Arcoleo, and Selikoff are all vying for the two, three-year council seats. Brookner, current Council President Moench and Libertarian candidate Gregg Mele are all running for Mayor.

The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Here is a look at who Ring is and why he 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.

Timothy Ring

Describe yourself:

I am a lifelong Bridgewater resident, having grown up in Martinsville and graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School East (1987), now the Middle School. From there I went on to study Business Management at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. I currently work in the field of Safety and Security, serving as the Director of Safety & Crisis Management for a non-profit organization in Northern New Jersey.

During my senior year of high school, I joined the Martinsville Rescue, where I continue as a Life Member today. Over the years I held numerous leadership roles within the organization including President and Chief. As Chief, I directed the squad’s response to the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. After marrying Terri in 1995, we moved to the Green Knoll section of town and I became involved with the Green Knoll Rescue Squad, were I currently serve as Deputy Chief. Terri and I are the parents of two daughters, Elizabeth (junior at James Madison University) and Amanda (freshman at University of Scranton).

I am a communicant of Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Martinsville, as well as a member of the 200 Club of Somerset County and BPOE Elks.

I have lived in town my entire life. I am actively involved in serving my community. I am committed to Bridgewater!

What experience do you have that would help you serve?

I have been volunteering as a first responder for more than 30 years and currently serve as the Deputy Chief of the Green Knoll Rescue Squad. I also belong to the 200 Club and Elks, as well as being a life member of the Martinsville Rescue Squad and National Eagle Scout Association.

In addition to the various leadership roles as a volunteer, professionally I work full time in the private sector in the area of Safety and Security. Throughout my career, I have held various leadership roles at Wyndham Worldwide and SBM Site Services. I currently serve as the Director of Safety & Crisis Management for a non-profit in Northern New Jersey.

I feel that my professional leadership and business experiences, combined with my experiences leading volunteer organization, make me a great candidate for Township Council.

What issues would you like to address if elected?

There are two issues that I would like to see be a priority of the Township Council — updating the Master Plan and Planning.

Master Plan — As one that was born and raised in Bridgewater, I have experienced the growth of Bridgewater first hand. We have limited space left for new development and it is critical that the Township’s Master Plan represents that. For those not familiar with the Master Plan, it is what defines the zoning throughout the township and what type of buildings are allowed to be built where. While we cannot completely eliminate development, we need to make sure that all new development is for the better of Bridgewater, and built in such a way that is consistent with the local neighborhood. The impact to our roads, the school system and burden on township services (police, EMS, fire, etc.) have to be considered. In order to accomplish this, we need to make sure that our master plan is updated to reflect the limited space left for development within Bridgewater. Our Planning Board (appointed solely by the Mayor) and the Board of Adjustment (appointed by the Township Council) carefully review any and all development applications to ensure that they are consistent with the intent of the Master Plan and that our Master Plan and Zoning laws are strictly enforced.

During a recent Planning Board meeting I attended, there was some discussion about the type of material that would be used on the exterior of a proposed hotel. A member of the Planning Board was concerned that the material was not appropriate for Bridgewater. The developer responded that the hotel company required the use of those materials. I find this unacceptable. We have no shortage of hotel companies looking to develop in Bridgewater. Developers looking to build in Bridgewater should not be dictating to us how they build — we must tell them the requirements to build in Bridgewater and if those requirements do not align with their business plan, than they will have to look for alternative locations to build in another town.

While we cannot completely eliminate development, we need to make sure that all new development is for the better of Bridgewater, and built in such a way that is consistent with the local neighborhood.

Planning — There are several areas were I feel the township could benefit from enhanced planning.

1. Roads — currently there is no master inventory of roads and their condition. There is no plan that looks at what roads need to be paved over the next three to five years. It is imperative that the council work with the Mayor and administration to develop a plan, including a budget, for road improvements.
2. Budget — each year the township prepares an annual budget, for that year. In an effort to control taxes, the town should look to expand the budget process by looking out three to five years for capital purchases, such as roads and vehicles. We should be looking at staffing levels and how they might be impacted by improved efficiencies, retirements and new programs.
3. Open Space — the township has preserved a large amount of open space. We should be looking to develop a long term plan on how best to utilize that open space, while continuing to provide quality parks and recreation areas.

What are some issues you would like to address if elected?

As a lifelong Bridgewater resident and volunteer who has served many residents during some of their greatest time of need, I understand what Bridgewater was and what it is now. We are at a crossroads for our future — do we continue to be a large town with a small town feel or do we become further developed similar to Edison or Woodbridge? I prefer the large town with the small town feel!

I have always valued public service above all else, as can be evidenced in the many organizations I am involved with. I have always strived to make my community a better place to live and raise a family, and I view serving on council as a continuation of that goal.

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

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