Judy Faulkner Announces Candidacy For Fire Commissioner

(This release was sent to Patch.com on behalf of Judy Faulkner's campaign for Hillsborough's Fire Commissioner)

With a desire to improve accountability and transparency in the Board of Fire Commissioners' use of public funds, Judy Faulkner has announced her candidacy for Hillsborough Township Fire Commissioner. Faulkner submitted a timely petition and will be on the ballot for the Fire Election which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 9 p.m. The Municipal Building is the only polling place in town. All registered Hillsborough voters are eligible to vote in this election.

Voters will be asked to elect Commissioners for a three year term, and to approve or disapprove the current Fire Commissioners' proposed 2018 Annual Budget, as well as the purchase of two fire engines in an amount not exceeding $800,000 each and purchase a brush truck in an amount not exceeding $100,000.

Faulkner has had a long-term involvement in operations and management in Emergency Services particularly EMS. She has engaged in management level interactions with Township and County-wide leadership and elected officials. Over time, Faulkner has recognized that the Board of Fire Commissioners has been operating glaringly unchallenged and unchecked, raising her interest to look further into their activities.

She filed a number of requests under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) focusing on the Fire District's involvement in the termination of the Hillsborough Rescue Squad, the accuracy of claims made by the current Fire Commissioners pertaining to numbers of members trained, and the handling of fraudulent certifications in the possession of Fire Chiefs and Commissioners.

Ironically, while spending time attending Fire Commission meetings, she observed a significant lack of
transparency along with questionable actions taken by the Board of Fire Commissioners during their meetings. Faulkner also questioned the budget "election"; that recently was thrown out due to a variety of election violations including the failure to properly advertise it, as well as the failure to verify
eligibility to vote, maintain a voter list, and sign voters in.

Additional OPRA requests filed by Faulkner pertained to capital purchases and self-payment of expenses made by Fire Commissioners.

"These items highlight what I feel is a result of a comfort level that exists among the Fire Commissioners
as they operate further and further from the expectations that taxpaying residents have of elected
officials," stated Faulkner.

Ironically, while spending time attending Fire Commission meetings, she observed a significant lack of transparency along with questionable actions taken by the Board of Fire Commissioners during their
meetings.

Faulkner also questioned the budget "election" that recently was thrown out due to a variety of election violations including the failure to properly advertise it, as well as the failure to verify eligibility to vote, maintain a voter list, and sign voters in. Additional OPRA requests filed by Faulkner pertained to capital purchases and self-payment of expenses made by Fire Commissioners.

"These items highlight what I feel is a result of a comfort level that exists among the Fire Commissioners
as they operate further and further from the expectations that taxpaying residents have of elected officials," stated Faulkner.

As a Fire Commissioner, Faulkner will express her concerns and question the status quo.

Furthermore, her presence will ensure that the "clubby" attitude regarding the spending of millions of
taxpayer dollars is interrupted. Her intention is not to reduce the service by the fire companies to the residents but is rather to ensure that the funds are being spent, managed, and accounted properly.

Also, her involvement will open up a real information channel to the taxpayers and spur more public interest in watching the operation of this public board.

Faulkner has nearly 30 years of career and volunteer service to the Hillsborough community as an EMT and leader of the Hillsborough Rescue Squad, most recently serving as Administrative Lieutenant.

She is credentialed as a NJ EMT and also holds a NJ Firefighter 1 certification. She has taken more than 100
courses and earned nearly 500 continuing education credits in areas including search and rescue, hazmat, extrication, administrative/management issues, and a variety of medical matters.

She has a background in billing and bookkeeping for several employers. She has lived in Hillsborough for most of her life and graduated from Hillsborough High School. She is married to David, and they are the parents of three children. Faulkner would be proud, if elected, to be the first female Fire Commissioner in
Hillsborough and looks forward to properly serving Hillsborough's residents.

"Please remember to vote on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Municipal Building. If you will not be in town on the 17th, you can cast a vote at the County Board of Elections office (20 Grove Street in Somerville) between now and the 17th. Every vote always matters. These are typically very low turnout elections, and a few hundred residents determine the budget and the people responsible for spending and monitoring it. I hope the residents of Hillsborough will endorse my candidacy because there is much work to be done here, and I am ready, willing, and able to do it."

(Image via provided with permission: Judy Faulkner)

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