Hillsborough General Election Profile: David Brook

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's general election on Nov. 3 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. David Brook, 66, is one of two Democratic candidates running.

Brook is a practicing attorney, who is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. He is also an adjunct professor at Rutgers University, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy since 2018.

His family includes his two sisters Sandra and Sharon.

Brook has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science from Rutgers University 1975, a Masters of Study in Environmental Law and a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School 1986.

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David Brook

Campaign website

JohnsonBrook2020.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

My life has been focused on public service, both prior to and after becoming an attorney. I have had the opportunity to work and learn at many levels of the federal and state government as well as on a local level in our Township promoting positive change. I have seen how government works and I have seen why sometimes it does not. 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.

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

We need long-term planning and a vision for how decisions should be made to benefit the people who live here. I will represent the interests of the people and help make decisions that will benefit our community as well as our environment. I plan to revisit and revitalize our Democratic principles and our Master Plan for Hillsborough’s development so that it presents a clearer, more cohesive, and forward thinking strategy for the future of our town.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our nation is the federal government’s failure to practice good government. With the Coronavirus, calls to stop racial injustice, climate change and income inequality to name a few, the President and his Executive branch have failed to tell the American people the truth and failed to provide help and support when it has been most needed. This failure to provide the needed leadership at the top has hurt all Americans and that’s Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

The American people need real leadership based upon the ideals from the Constitution and based upon science and the truth. People need to have confidence and trust in government and that is true on a local level as well.

My life has been focused on public service, both prior to and after becoming an attorney. I have had the opportunity to work and learn at many levels of the federal and state government as well as on a local level in many Townships promoting positive change. I have seen how government works and I have seen why sometimes it does not. 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 and I will add a level of honesty, integrity and character the local level. I am focused on helping people, not special interests. I know that I can help make Hillsborough an even better place to live and I am committed to working hard on behalf of all residents to do exactly that.

My years of experience being involved in government will help establish new ways to govern more openly, effectively, efficiently and politely. I intend to examine new ways to streamline and expedite the needed services for the people of Hillsborough. I have a history of working in the system to get real results, and I will do the same for Hillsborough.

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

The critical differences between myself and the other two candidates that I am running against are striking. One has little or no experience running government and the other has become a career politician feeling comfortable ignoring people who question that absolute power thing. Both of those extremes do a disservice to the public, since no experience is not be helpful and career politicians often forget why they are there.

I bring diverse experience working effectively in the federal government, the State government and I have extensive experience in local government. I have worked directly with the governing bodies, the boards and commissions and the public to unite diverse residents and stakeholders helping to write ordinances, master plans and other public service documents. I understand how to work across the aisle since my focus is on improving the community and not simply supporting one party or the other.

My campaign running mate, Donnetta Johnson also brings a wealth of skills to this campaign.

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

The Township Committee is failing the residents of Hillsborough by excluding the public from active participation in the governmental decisions that impact our lives on a daily basis. There is not sufficient transparency in Hillsborough. This costs the taxpayer money, since decisions are bring mad every day that causes changes and new growth and that can be very costly if not done with full disclosure and involvement from the public. In the current age, truth and transparency are more important than ever. People have lost faith in their governmental institutions and processes and I seek to restore that faith. If I am elected, I will serve the people and I will be proud to do so with full transparency. I will expand accessibility to all Township information, like applications for development and demonstrate credibility by increasing transparency of that information and making sure that our citizen Boards and Commissions have members who actually have knowledge of the subject group they serve on. The party affiliation of members to those boards is irrelevant and I will seek those who have competency to serve. I will be honest about what it costs to operate government and look for ways to be more efficient and creative to save taxpayer’s dollars. We can all help make better decisions, and that will mean better government for Hillsborough.

I will work for open, transparent and accountable government and change these current practices and welcome public participation. This change will allow for better decisions that will best serve all residents now and in the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

A Return to Good Governance: My years of experience being involved in governmental processes at all levels has shown me that there are those who use government to thwart change and slows down important governmental decisions. I plan to rely on my knowledge of government to help streamline and expedite my ability to serve the people of Hillsborough. I have a history of working in the system to get real results, and I will do the same for Hillsborough.

Governmental Transparency: In the current age, truth and transparency are more important than ever. People have lost faith in their governmental institutions and processes and I seek to restore that faith. We are elected to serve the people, and we should be proud to do so with full transparency. I will expand accessibility to all Township information, like applications for development and demonstrate credibility by increasing transparency of that information and making sure that our citizen boards and Commissions have members who actually have knowledge of the subject group they serve on. This is one way that I will help our residents hold us accountable.

The Environment and Sustainability: I have spent my career fighting to make sure that our environment is protected not only for us, but for the next generation as well. The quality of life for the people of Hillsborough is intrinsically linked to how we handle the environmental concerns of the Township. By adopting a comprehensive Master Plan for the Township, we can ensure that future changes in the town will be done with the environment and sustainability in mind. Following a plan will allow us to do things like reduce traffic, increase the quality and availability of services, lessen the strain on infrastructure, and improve the overall happiness and quality of life for both our current and future residents.

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

While my entire career has provided me with skills and experience that would help me in this role, there is one example that I think stands out. In the late 1980’s, I served on Franklin Township’s Environmental Commission. During this time, I led an Open Space initiative that would eventually become a part of the Township’s Open Space Master Plan. Serving on the Environmental Commission and eventually the Open Space Advisory Committee involved working with members of the local government boards and agencies, with various private developers and development interests, as well as getting a public referendum passed. It took a lot of long hours, hard work, and dedication, but in the end I was able to achieve these goals. Once the referendum passed, it established an Open Space Advisory Committee that was empowered to guide long term development planning and land acquisition to ensure that open space. Farmland, recreation areas and historic structures were protected. The Open Space Advisory Committee would go on to create the Master Plan for Preservation that continues to serve as one of the township’s primary guiding documents.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

It may seem counter intuitive, but I think that the best advice I’ve ever been given is to question authority. In order for our government and institutions to be to be truly accountable, they must be under the constant scrutiny of the public eye. It is crucial for people to be active, engaged, and constantly questioning their leaders in order to ensure that the public interest is truly being served.

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

Although I have years of experience in government, I have never held elected office. I am not a politician. I know, that’s what politicians say now in order to seem trendy. In my case, it also happens to be the truth. My entire life, I’ve only ever seen myself as a normal person who is willing to fight hard to champion worthy causes. My concern is towards the issues facing the people of Hillsborough, not the political considerations that surround those issues. I’m willing to work with people on both sides of the isle in order to serve the best interests of the residents of Hillsborough. I firmly believe that every single person can make a difference if they’re willing to put in the time and the work required. Positive change requires commitment, and I am ready to commit to the people of Hillsborough to bring about that positive change. I can think of no cause as worthy or as noble as serving the public good on behalf of the people of Hillsborough, and I look forward to having that opportunity.