Clark General Election Profile: Charles Bassinski

CLARK, NJ — Clark's general election on Nov. 3 has a contested Councilman-At-Large with six candidates running for two open seats. Charles Bassinski, 41, is one of three Democratic candidates running.

Bassinski currently works as an Auditor and Certified Public Accountant. His family includes his wife Natalie Bassinski and two kids ages 14 and 10.

Bassinski has a Bachelor's in Accounting from Rowan University.

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

Campaign website

democratsunitedclarknj.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To provide a fresh perspective to the town leadership and to help improve the lives of Clark's residents.

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

The local economy. I would like to help encourage transparency and accountability with the major decisions being made to help revive the community, whether it's residential or commercial development.

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

I would like to try to engage the community in decisions before they are made.

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

I believe Clark is a great place to live, but I see opportunities for improvement in how the local government interacts with the community to ensure the voice/concerns of the residents is heard. I would like to encourage transparency/accountability for major decisions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I believe in fiscal responsibility. I would like for residents to feel confident that the town is efficiently and effectively budgeting and spending taxpayer money.

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

As an accounting and auditing professional for 17 years, I bring a financial background and a trust, but verify perspective to the table. I have worked for and with large corporations and have dealt with complex issues and diverse corporate cultures. I know how to deliver results.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be yourself.

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

My goal entering this position would be to leave Clark in a better place than when I started.