Hillsborough General Election 2023: Ronald K. Yoder

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's general election on Nov. 7 has four candidates running for two open seats for Township Committee.

Ronald K. Yoder (Ron) is one of two Democrat candidates running. Yoder is running with Samantha Hand.

Additionally, there are two Republican candidates running together including incumbent James "Jim" Ruh with Catherine Payne.

All of the candidates are running for the two, three-year seats on the township committee.

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

Ronald K. Yoder (Ron)

Age: 70

Town of residence: Hillsborough

Position sought: Hillsborough Township Committee

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife, Mary Jane (lifetime Hillsborough resident), 3 Children (Daughter, Corey Sons, Keith, Matthew), 1 Grandson Aiden.

Education: University of New Mexico (History, Economics)

Occupation: Mass Mutual since 1992 (Agent Emeritus)

Previous or current elected appointed office: None.

Campaign website: borodems.org.

Why are you seeking election for Township Committee?

Spending Taxpayer money effectively and efficiently must be the number 1 priority to achieve a vibrant and safe community for our families. This can be achieved only through careful planning that requires a realistic vision for Hillsborough’s future. The same group of Republicans insiders have been running Hillsborough for the last 20 years and look where we are now: Playing catchup on addressing issues like warehouses when our zoning laws allowing them could have been changed years ago. Fighting off lawsuits filed by local property owners that will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. There are still no efforts being made to have a true town center that would
provide residents with a place to socialize, shop and enjoy an evening with friends and family.

Hillsborough voters deserve representation that is responsive, accessible and works every day for the benefit of the entire community, not just the few insiders of the same political party.

I will be that representative on the Township Committee.

Manufacturing buildings or warehouse applications are becoming more common in NJ. How do you feel about proposals to bring this type of development to Hillsborough Township? And how do you propose to limit it?

The time to limit this type of development is before a property owner or developer submits a plan for a warehouse by thoughtfully reviewing the zoning laws that either allow or prevent that development. This review must consider matters such as noise and traffic concerns of nearby neighborhoods and the overall impact on the community. Unfortunately, this was not done in Hillsborough and the town is experiencing multiple warehouse proposals that may be built right on top of residential areas.

This should and could have been prevented if the governing body had the foresight and vision to foresee how warehouse development would become a reality and had sensibly revised our zoning laws.

I will advocate for a comprehensive zoning review; that includes residents, business owners, and all property owners. This should be done on a regular basis.

Having trust and transparency in the township government and police department is important to residents. Do you feel the township is doing a good job of being transparent? How would you improve this?

I think, in general, the Township does a good job of making information available. What it does not do is let residents know that it is available or how to access it. Too many times I hear people say “I did not know about that” when the information is available on the Township website, or they could even watch a particular meeting on the topic on YouTube. I will take every opportunity to let residents know how and where to find the information they need to be better informed.

What I do not see, however, is discussion and debate on the Township Committee. The five current members of the Committee act in unison on matters small and large. It is always up to residents to ask questions as no Committee members ever seem to raise any themselves.

As a member of the Township Committee, I will work with my fellow committee members but will never simply go along to get along. Residents deserve to know more, not the minimum, about how their town is being governed, and that can be achieved through active discussion and debate at Township Committee meetings.

Our Police Department is very effective. I have worked with many as a firefighter. When there are issues or incidents, they are fully transparent and accountable. I support our Police Department wholeheartedly.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the township?

What identifies Hillsborough as a community? At fifty-four square miles it is an immense challenge to find commonality from farmland, to mountains to townhouses to single-family homes, to commercial areas. From new communities to established communities. Hillsborough is a mosaic that needs a core, a town center that unites us. This would also provide an economic benefit both for existing and new businesses, building our commercial tax base to help reduce the burden on our residential taxpayers.

A Town Center plan was proposed and adopted many years ago. Yet our leaders have lacked the commitment and drive to make it a reality. For too long it was “we need to wait for the bypass to be constructed” before moving ahead. Planning for this should have been ongoing. The bypass is now open and yet nothing is being done to implement the plan.

We need to work together with the NJ Department of Transportation to finish the balance of the 206 widening. I recently saw that a current member of the Township Committee said the goal was to “embarrass” the DOT into action. Quite frankly, I have never heard of embarrassment being an effective way to govern. One other member stated incorrectly that the project was “abandoned.”

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

My opponents are members of the Republican political party. The same party that has been running this town for the last 20 years. Maintaining this unchallenged control by electing my opponents again would change nothing.

First and foremost, I am a long-time resident of Hillsborough who, as a firefighter for 20 years, has the interest of the community at heart.

I am a Democrat, unbeholden to the entrenched party. The Republicans never come up with a dissenting point of view, never publicly challenge each other, and ensure members of their party are placed on all Boards, such as the Planning Board or Commission.

I will ask questions and demand answers, always looking for new and better ways forward. I will share my ideas in public. I will consider an individual’s credentials and commitment to the community, not party affiliation, in making important appointments.

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

Over the last two years I have knocked on thousands of doors of my fellow residents, listening to their concerns and sharing my thoughts on how we can work together to make Hillsborough a better community for our families.

Residents need to know my background in business, being active in youth sports as a coach and being committed to the safety of the community as a firefighter, provides me with the perspective of being a strong, independent voice that will make Hillsborough am even better in the future.

I appreciate your consideration and ask that you use your vote to get Hillsborough back on track!