Hillsborough Dems Select 3 Nominees To Fill Committee Vacancy

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Democratic Municipal Committee selected three nominees to replace Township Committeewoman Olivia Holmes's seat after she resigned on Feb. 4.

Holmes said she resigned because she been battling a "really bad case" of COVID-19 for over a month. Read More: Olivia Holmes Resigns From Hillsborough Committee, Has COVID-19

Under the law, the Hillsborough Democrats had 15 days to select three nominees to fill the vacancy. Now the township committee will choose out of those nominees to fill Holmes' seat.

The nominees include Jeffrey Wright of Milburn Drive, Donnetta Johnson of Kaler Street, and David Brook of Winding Way.

Democratic Municipal Chairman William Dondiego said each of the nominees are "highly qualified and extremely eager to serve all of the residents of Hillsborough for at least the remainder of 2021. They are dedicated, intelligent, thoughtful, and accomplished individuals who understand the obligations of the office and will serve us well."

All three nominees have previously run and lost in previous elections (2020 and 2019) for a seat on the township committee.

Jeffrey Wright

Wright grew up in Piscataway and moved to Hillsborough in 2014. Jeff is married to Jennifer and has four children. He holds a Bachelor of Science, in General Business/Finance from Norfolk State University in Virginia. He currently works for Garden State Securities, Inc., as an Investment Adviser Representative and Financial Adviser. Previously he worked for Merrill Lynch in those capacities. He holds Series 7 (General Securities Representative), 63 (Uniform Securities Agent), and 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser) designations and a New Jersey State Life Insurance license.

Wright is currently serving his second year on the Somerset County Planning Board. Wright served on Piscataway's Zoning Board of Adjustment, as well as the Open Space Committee and Senior Citizens Housing Committee.

He coached Little League Baseball for several years. Wright is a Master Mason/Member of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of New Jersey – Alpha Lodge 116. He serves as Treasurer of Bethel Presbyterian Church. He is also the Democratic County Committee member for District 9 (Country Classics).

"My parents were career union workers. My mother was a dedicated public school teacher for 45 years. My father was a carpenter who spent his time off coaching my little league teams and showing the value of real leadership. My grandmother was a civil rights activist and longtime civic volunteer whose countless conversations around the Sunday family dinner table instilled in me a lifelong dedication to accountability, integrity, and public service," said Wright.

"When I ran for Township Committee in 2018, I had the privilege of speaking to thousands of our fellow residents from across all political ideologies and opinions. I realized that there is so much more that we have in common than we think," said Wright. "We are all concerned about the state of our roadways. We are all worried about the stresses that mismanaged development is causing to our schools, sports, open space, and community programs. We are all watching our tax bills rise while community services are cut and outsourced. We all drive past the deserted store fronts that could become the foundation of an exciting 21st century downtown destination for new businesses, industries, and investment. Great things are possible when communities unite around a common vision. I see a community that reaches with hope towards the future, while building on its strong past. This is the vision I want to bring to the Township Committee."

Donnetta Johnson

Johnson is a 33-year resident of Hillsborough. A former programmer and project manager at
AT&T/Bell Labs, Johnson is a prominent Hillsborough business owner, founder of the Allegra
School of Music and Arts, providing music and drama instruction in Central New Jersey since 1999. She is also the founder and lead organizer of the annual Hillsborough Music Festival which through her nonprofit foundation has raised thousands of dollars for Hillsborough’s school arts programming, collegiate scholarships, mental health resiliency training, and youth suicide prevention.

"I’m proud to have lived in Hillsborough for the past three decades and to have raised my family here," said Johnson. "Starting a small business in town was a thrill too. With all of the ups and downs of growing and managing a small business, I am proud that for over twenty years now we’ve been able to support arts education and impact the artistic heart of the community through the Allegra School of Music and Arts. As the founder the Hillsborough Music Festival, I have highlighted local music artists, created awareness about the importance of mental health, and raised funds for local youth suicide prevention programs. I have also been a collaborator on the Township Art Exhibition as a member of the Cultural Arts Committee. Helping kids and their families while nurturing brilliant young artists as they thrive through our programs and community events has been a special honor and privilege. As a local employer, I am pleased to contribute to our local economy by creating stable employment opportunities for local artists and teachers. Hillsborough has given me a lot. I am excited by the opportunity to do more for this
town."

David Brook

Brook, J.D., M.S.E.L. has lived in Hillsborough since 2003. He has more than 40 years of experience as an attorney and scientist working on environmental, employment, and transportation law. He is currently an adjunct Professor of Law at Rutgers University, and has extensive governmental experience at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Brook has served on numerous boards and commissions focusing on historic and natural resource preservation. He has been a member of the Hillsborough Environmental Commission, and was instrumental in the creation of Franklin Township’s Open Space Fund, which to date has raised approximately $100 million for open space, recreation, farmland, and historic preservation.

"I believe that my experience, combined with a proven track record of implementing positive change, makes me uniquely qualified to represent the diverse interests of the people of Hillsborough. I know that I can help make Hillsborough an even better place to live and I am committed to working hard on behalf of our residents to do exactly that," said Brook.

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