Committee Candidate: Joseph Keyes

On Nov. 8, Washington Township residents will vote for either Tracy Tobin (R) or Joseph Keyes (D) to fill a Township Committee seat being vacated by Vice Mayor James Harmon. Tobin won the J, and .

Long Valley Patch asked each candidate to fill out the questionnaire below. Here are Joseph Keyes' responses. Also see Tracy Tobin's responses here.

Name: Joseph W.Keyes

Age: 61

Occupation: Proprietor/IT consultant

Previous elected or appointed positions: None

Any other current elected or appointed positions: None

Other community associations: Washington Township Democratic Commmittee, Chester Lioness Club (support role), Market Street Mission and other local food banks, and various Native American associations

How long have you lived in town? 18+ years

What do you see as the most pressing issues in a coming term, and what would you do about them?
What I see is that our township needs better planning. Our township needs to explore much-needed upgrades to our communications and computer systems. Our township needs better interactions with local and district school boards. Our township needs to better coordinate with county and state services. Our township needs to plan ahead instead of reacting after the fact. Our township committee needs a fresh perspective and new voice.

What's one fact about you that most voters probably don't know?
I am a self-published author. I have two books in print and three more in progress.