Election 2022: Antoinette Evola For East Brunswick Town Council

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Antoinette Evola is running for East Brunswick council on a Republican ticket.

Evola wants to be the voice of the community when serving on the council, and wants to work towards reducing traffic congestion and potential overcrowding of the school district.

Below is Evola's candidate profile.

(All candidates were given the same questions. Answers are candidates' own.)

Editor's Note: Patch sent out the questionnaire to each candidate's email address provided by the County clerk's office. All responses received will be published between now and Nov. 8 general election. Local candidates who did not receive the questionnaire from Patch can contact sarah.salvadore@patch.com.

Name: Antoinette Evola

Age: 43

Town of residence: East Brunswick

Position sought: East Brunswick Town Council

Family: I have been married to my husband, Anthony Evola for 15 years. We have 2 children who are currently enrolled in the East Brunswick school district and my bonus son who is 27 lives in NYC.

Education: I attended Berkeley College and majored in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. I interned with exquisite designer brands and once I completed my education I was hired to be a shop manager at luxury department store.

Occupation: I am a commissioned artist who runs a small business. I travel all throughout New Jersey bringing live painting classes to different establishments, and host many fundraisers and private corporate team building events. I partner with a marketing company to boost sales and have remained in the top 15% of my company for the last 4 years.

Previous or current elected appointed office: None

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: https://www.ebfirstteam.org/antoinette-evola

What makes you the best person for this position?

I have personally knocked on over 7,000 doors in East Brunswick to meet as many residents as I could before this election. I have a thorough understanding of our residents feeling unheard. They are tired of decisions being made for them and not with them. I am a dedicated listener and as a public servant will take pride in doing just that. Serving our community by being their voice and working for residents is what makes me the best person for this position.

Property taxes is always a big topic in East Brunswick. What’s your plan to keep taxes low for residents?

For too long the township has put the tax burden disproportionately onto the shoulders of residents and working families. I will work closely with the business development team to put the focus on attracting businesses that will not only service our residents but also those who do not live here in East Brunswick. I will deploy more resources on attracting new businesses into our town that will bolster tax revenue.

Development is also a big talking point in town. How would you address it?

While redevelopment can be an important part of growing and building our town, our current council has focused far too much on bringing in multi-unit residential construction using PILOT programs (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) which will lead to more congestion, a potential strain on our great schools, and does nothing to help our residents' property taxes while permanently shuttered businesses remain as vacant eye sores. My team and I are dedicated to redeveloping existing buildings, drawing in more restaurants that would keep our residents "staying and playing" in our own town. Many of our residents leave East Brunswick to enjoy a night out, food shop and buy necessities. It's time to attract businesses to East Brunswick that service the majority of the residents and not a select few.

What are the major challenges facing the community and how would you address them?

Having spoken to so many residents while around town, there is a very strong need for safer roads. Our police officers here in East Brunswick are doing a fantastic job, but unfortunately they are outnumbered when it comes to recent issues. The neighborhood is furious with the amount of truck traffic on residential roads. These over-sized vehicles are speeding at unsafe conditions and are destroying the tax payers quality of life. We need to bring back the quality of life and safe streets. We must be proactive and not reactive when it comes to the safety of our children and our residents. Parents need to feel safe when their children are waiting or departing from their school bus. They need to feel it's safe for their children to ride their bicycles. Our residents deserve to feel heard when it comes to safety and they can rest assured I will always take their safety seriously.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

During the COVID-19 pandemic there were public health restrictions placed upon my small business. This caused me to have to adapt and innovate ways to run a thriving business. While this was a difficult time for us all, I was able to use my agility and creativity to maintain fiscal responsibility. This experience coupled with my volunteerism, will lend me to be an asset to not only the town council and other East Brunswick committees, but mainly the East Brunswick residents. The taxpayers can have confidence in me. We need leadership that will listen and take action, and I am a vote for just that.

What according to you is the best part about living in East Brunswick?

East Brunswick is such a diverse community which is exactly what we loved about it when we were choosing which town to call home. In a multicultural, diverse community we learn from each other. The diversity in our town is truly a strength and it is one of the best parts of living here and that makes me extremely proud to be an East Brunswick resident.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Since the moment I became an East Brunswick resident I have been committed to our township. I have been an active PTA member and volunteered much of my time at the events at my children's schools. I have had the pleasure of being a class mom for the last six years. I have been a softball coach for the East Brunswick Softball league for the last four years. Having young children who are actively involved in school, sports and other extracurricular activities has given me the opportunity to hear first-hand what our tax payers are going through. Families are struggling with the increase in prices across the board. East Brunswick residents want a town council member who will have their best interest at heart. One who can relate to what their needs and wants are, and one who will vote responsibly when it comes to spending.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com