Meet The Candidate: Dinesh Behal For East Brunswick Town Council

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — In February, Councilman Dinesh Behal was appointed to the council seat left vacant by Sterley Stanley, who was elected to the New Jersey State Legislature from the 18th district.

Behal is not only serving out Stanley's remaining term but will be on the ballot this November.

For the Councilman, the most pressing issue is the redevelopment of the Route 18 corridor. While some property owners have already broken ground on their projects, the Council is working towards building a downtown area, where residents can enjoy outdoor dining, music, and more, said Behal.

“To accomplish this redevelopment, a consistent governmental approach with prospective redevelopers is necessary. A redeveloper has now been designated and negotiations with property owners are underway,” said Behal.

The incumbent said he is part of a “team which has a proven record of many accomplishments” and hopes residents will elect for him for “a stable, sustainable future.”

Behal will face David Herrera of the Republican party in the upcoming election. Election day is Nov. 2.

Read below to learn more about Behal and his platform for the upcoming election in East Brunswick:

Name: Dinesh Behal

Position sought: Township Councilman

Age (as of Election Day): 46

Party Affiliation: Democratic party

Family: My wife, Hansa, and son Armaan who attends East Brunswick High School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Bachelor of Accounting, NJ Property and Casualty License, NJ Life and Health License, and NJ Realtor license

Occupation: Small business owner focused on Commercial Insurance Practice.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Appointed to the East Brunswick Township Council in February 2021.

Campaign Website: BEHALFOREBCOUNCIL.COM

Why are you seeking elective office?

I believe in service and would like to continue to serve all the residents of East Brunswick as an elected Township Councilman. The current elected officials and I have been working hard to keep the municipal tax rate stable and have been able to keep increases during each of the past two years to less than ½ a percent (approximately 60 cents per month for each year) and this was achieved without compromising or reducing any municipal services to the residents. I am committed to continuing to work with Mayor Brad Cohen and my Council colleagues to improve the quality of life of our Residents. I believe that my experience and qualifications allow me to bring important insights to the decision-making process of municipal government.

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

The most pressing issue faced by our town is the redevelopment of our Route 18 corridor which has many abandoned and blighted properties. These properties are not only unsightly but have impacted our commercial tax ratable base. The convenience of online shopping has had an economic impact of the retail corridor. Mayor Cohen and I, along with the rest of the Council, have been diligently working with our Redevelopment Agency to come up with solutions that not only improve the appearance of these non-performing properties, but make improvements for the entire community such as widening roadways, computerized traffic signalization, and dedication of lands for future recreational facilities. These plans also include the satisfaction of the Court mandated affordable housing obligations of the Township. The redevelopment plans have been adopted after numerous town hall meetings and input from the community. All existing property owners were afforded the opportunity to redevelop their own properties. Some property owners took advantage of that opportunity and have already broken ground on their projects. We are hoping that in the next few years, we will have a nice downtown area for our residents to enjoy outdoor eating with live music which I believe will enhance the quality of life of our residents. To accomplish this redevelopment, a consistent governmental approach with prospective redevelopers is necessary. A redeveloper has now been designated and negotiations with property owners are underway.

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

I am the candidate who has the required experience, patience, and a proven record of accomplishments. I have served as a Councilman, on Library Board, and on the Zoning Board. Each has provided me with the experience of working with municipal employees and staff, understanding the municipal budgeting process, and has required careful deliberations after hearing all of the relevant facts. I have made decisions only after consideration of the impact on the residents of East Brunswick, which is always first in my mind. I consider myself a true public servant. For the past several years, the Democratic elected officials have stood for financial stability while improving the quality of life of our residents. Our close working relationship with County and State officials has brought millions of dollars back to our Township in the form of grants for capital improvements. Our track record of representing all of the residents of the Township has made East Brunswick a great community in which to live and work.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have three main areas of focus: first and foremost is protecting our taxpayers; second is maintaining our outstanding parks and recreational facilities, and third is preserving our quality of life in East Brunswick by providing the very best municipal services.

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

I was able to respond to resident complaints about the inaccessibility of the Motor Vehicle Commission during the COVID pandemic by bringing the Motor Vehicle Mini Van to East Brunswick. This allowed our residents the opportunity to address their issues in a convenient forum at a time when appointments were very difficult to make and driving a necessity for most Township residents. I also recently initiated a winter coat drive for Afghan refugees which was very successful. In addition, working with the Mayor, the Parks and Recreation Department, and my fellow Council members, I was able to meet the demand of many residents for recreational opportunities by installing a cricket field at Bicentennial Park. Last but not least, I participated in the discussions and planning for the municipal budget for the current year which saw a very minimal property tax increase for the second straight year. A feat that is more remarkable given the ongoing pandemic.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another” - Thomas Jefferson.

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

I am a part of a team that has a proven record of many accomplishments. We all care deeply about our town and all of our residents. The safety and well-being of each and every resident is always a top priority. I stand for financial responsibility and respectful governance. I am asking for your support to provide me with the opportunity to continue to serve all of the residents of East Brunswick as an elected member of the Township Council. A vote for me is a vote for a stable, sustainable future of East Brunswick, and a continuation of the accomplishments of the current administration.

In anticipation of the upcoming election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. We will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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