John Hoover Has Unmatched Record of Service to the Community

Madison Borough Council candidate, John Hoover of Overhill Drive, expresses support for the current Council’s fiscal policies and looks forward to working with running mate, Maureen Byrne of Albright Circle, on efforts to revitalize Madison’s downtown business district and to ensure the availability of equitable housing for all Madison residents.

Hoover stated, “I moved to Madison from the west coast over 15 years ago, primarily to be closer to my three children and nine grandchildren. My son, John T. and his family live in Madison. My son Kevin and his family live on Staten Island, and my daughter and her family live in East Hanover.

When I first came to Madison, I thought the town was absolutely beautiful and had all the required services, education facilities, fine restaurants, churches, and medical facilities I wanted. And it had an easy commute into the city. But it was not until I had actually lived here that I truly understood the inner beauty and sense of community that is Madison. It wasn’t long before I became involved in borough services. Then when I retired in early 2009, I dove in and immersed myself fully in community affairs.”

Hoover continued, “Today, I serve as a Downtown Development Commission (DDC) Commissioner and as its Secretary and its Chair of its Sign and Façade Committee. And there is seldom a Thursday in summer when I cannot be found at the DDC-sponsored Madison Farmers’ Market, where I serve as its volunteer Logistics and Onsite Market Manager.”

John Hoover is the Chair of Madison’s Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, a member of the Board of Education’s Budget Advisory Committee and was the Program Manager for Rotary’s High School Mentoring Program. He is also Chairman of the Madison Area YMCA’s Member Togetherhood Committee and served with his running mate, Maureen Byrne, on the Borough’s Strategic Planning Operations Committee. Hoover previously served as President of the Madison Board of Health.

Hoover stated, “I am happy with the progress made by Mayor Conley and recent Borough Councils. They have been able to maintain borough services, expand shared services and restored Madison’s AAA stable credit rating, while controlling municipal taxes. They have also made real progress in improving our aging infrastructure, making significant investments in our roads, water mains, parks, and sewers.

But there is more to be done. Like many communities, our historic downtown business district is troubled by a high rate of business turnover and vacant store fronts. Madison’s downtown is truly the heart of Madison and therefore, we need to better understand the causes for the vacancies and how our borough government community organizations can partner with property and business owners to reverse the trend. I was happy to participate on the borough’s new Economic Revitalization Committee, which through an RFP process, recommended the New York City-based firm of Urbanomics as the right consultant to guide us in developing a detailed blueprint to reinvigorate the downtown area.

I also believe that we need to work to address the continuing loss of historic homes and affordable housing that has plagued our community. We need to look for ways that will maintain the character of our beloved community and that will ensure the availability of equitable housing for all of Madison’s diverse population.”

John Hoover has had a lifelong commitment to putting “service above self,” He observed that,” I developed and initiated the Madison Rotary Club’s Friends of Rotary program, served on the club’s Board of Directors, Strategic Planning, Membership Development and Service Projects Committees, to name a few, and chaired its By-Laws Committee. In addition, I lead numerous club efforts including its 2015 fundraising projects for Maggie Doyne’s blinknow.org and for Officer Dave Cuozzo.

I have also been a regular volunteer at the Market Street Mission and have volunteered with Bridges Outreach, which packages and delivers food and clothes to homeless in Newark and New York City.”

Hoover continued, “I believe that I have the talent, education, accomplishments and experience to be an effective member of the Madison Borough Council and to help keep Madison the Madison we know and love. Throughout my professional and volunteer career, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to identify, plan, and implement improvements in government and non-government organizations – both large and small and international and domestic. I like to uncover issues, and design solutions. I don’t just sit on the sidelines and critique; I get in and fix things; I do things; I ‘walk the talk.’

At the time of my retirement in early 2009, I was the Senior Global Operations Management Training Manager for AIU GBO, responsible for delivering Performance Management Planning (PMP) Training, globally, and developing training programs that support country operations manager competency, customer service and various software implementations. Prior to focusing on training development and delivery, I was the South East Asia and Greater China Regional PMP Manager responsible for implementing the AIU GBO business operations model in Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and Hong Kong, as well as deployment of the PMP methodology.

Prior to joining AIG, I spent over 35 years in a variety of capacities in public and private sector financial services, including managing large operations. I have extensive experience in marketing, sales and domestic and international process rationalization consulting. I received a BS in Economics from Fordham University and an MBA in Marketing and Management from Golden Gate University.

I look forward to running for Borough Council with Maureen Byrne and hopefully partnering with her and Mayor Bob Conley and Councilmembers Astri Baillie, Carmela Vitale, Bob Landrigan, and Ben Wolkowitiz in service to all the voters of Madison, regardless of party affiliation. Together, we will work closely with members of the community to deliver dependable services in a fiscally responsible manner.”