Letter To The Editor: Committee Candidates Speak In Support Of Business Development

submitted by Cheryl Blodgett

Hillsborough Township Committee candidates Thuy Anh Le and John Beggiato, recently addressed Hillsborough Democrats at a campaign kickoff meeting sponsored by the Hillsborough Democratic Alliance, discussing their plans for local business and economic development for Hillsborough Township.

The number of empty storefronts, the lack of new businesses, and the difficulty of finding existing businesses because of poor signage, were all points raised by members of the audience, as being important to them. Noting that local businesses have expressed concerns that current commercial sign restrictions hamper their ability to attract customers, the candidates suggested that township could benchmark with other towns that have developed these ordinances in order to provide a balance between businesses competing with those in surrounding towns, while not allowing Route 206 in Hillsborough to look like Route 22. While Hillsborough’s commercial sign ordinance regulation includes the size, style, and lighting of these signs, it needs to be revisited in order to attract visitors passing through or residents who are trying to find these businesses in town.

Hillsborough has seen many businesses “close up shop”. What is the current administration’s plan to bring businesses back to those empty stores while developers insist on constructing more commercial sites? John Beggiato stated, “You can’t have progress unless you plan for the future. There are too many vacant buildings with no compelling plans to attract businesses to fill them.”

Since Duke Farms reopened its newly designed doors to the public in 2012, just over a million visitors have enjoyed the natural beauty of one of Hillsborough’s gems. Yes, that’s 1,000,000! Appropriate signage and an available list of local places to eat and visit could draw them to Hillsborough businesses. The candidates suggested the town partner with Duke Farms and our local businesses, an alliance that would increase business traffic instead of losing these tourists to other towns. This partnership would create the catalyst for a downtown renewal, attracting new businesses and allowing existing businesses to thrive. This is especially important with the possibility of the new Route 206 Bypass diverting potential customers away from local businesses.

“We have not heard of a plan or vision to do this with the current administration”, residents stated. Committee Candidates Thuy Anh Le and John Beggiato will bring this to fruition when they are elected to the Township Committee. They have a vision that involves to linking the heritage of our farming community to the present that can be tied to strengthening our local businesses.

“Buying local comes naturally when residents get compelling information about the local businesses”, Thuy Anh Le stated. “If people feel they can get good value locally, then they will be more than willing to stay in Hillsborough to do their shopping. And visitors who come to Duke Farms, the Sourlands, the D&R Greenway, or visit Hillsborough for other reasons, will shop here if they are well informed and businesses are easy to find. Frankly, more people will want to live in a town where the businesses are doing well,” said Le. Thuy Ahn Le and John Beggiato vowed to make it a priority to get Hillsborough’s storefronts filled, and its office space better occupied, and its entire business and downtown plan thoroughly reviewed, when they take their seats on the Township Committee.

The rally continued with vigorous campaign plans for September and October. Anyone who would like to get more involved can call 369-7717, email le.beggiato4borotc@gmail.com, or go to John Beggiato and Thuy Anh Le for Township Committee on facebook.