Manchester Council Election 2021: Michele Zolezi

MANCHESTER, NJ — The 2021 election campaign culminates when voters go to the polls Nov. 2. In Manchester Township, voters will be choosing someone to fill a three-year unexpired term on the Township Council.

There are two candidates seeking the seat, which was vacated when Robert Hudak was appointed mayor in July. Manchester Township has a nonpartisan government.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Michele Zolezi.

Age: 49

Town of residence: Manchester Township

Position sought: Town Council

Family: 2 children

Education: B.S. in Environmental Sciences from Stockton University

Occupation: General Manager and Environmental Affairs Executive

Previous elective office, if any: Town Councilwoman, Manchester Township

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments?

No

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking to continue as councilperson because I believe that good government is what the residents of Manchester Township need and deserve. I will use my educational background, business and professional experience, along with my existing public service for the betterment of our community. As a lifelong resident who has raised a family here, I am completely committed and passionate about maintaining the character of our town while keeping our taxes low (near the lowest in all of Ocean County), protecting open space, enhancing our parks, preserving our lakes, and supporting small business and smart economic growth.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it?

Keeping our taxes low while staving off overdevelopment is critical to keep Manchester Township affordable and maintain the character of our community. I plan to accomplish this by working on our economic development task force to ensure smart economic growth. As your town councilwoman, I will never stop finding ways to keep our taxes low while ensuring our open spaces are protected.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve?

Experience and leadership. I provide a clear, substantive platform that is based on 25 years of comprehensive business sector experience managing all aspects of corporate and environmental affairs, regulatory compliance, personnel, budgets, and contracts. I work collaboratively with employees, committee members, colleagues, and regulators to accomplish goals in the best interest of all parties involved, and I will continue to utilize these attributes for the betterment of Manchester.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The campaign revolves around the following five issues:

1) Keeping our taxes low.
2) Maintaining the character of our community by opposing overdevelopment.
3) Protecting and preserving open space.
4) Restoring Pine Lake and enhancing our parks.
5) Supporting small businesses and smart economic growth.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office?

Having served on the township Planning Board for nearly a decade and as board chairwoman from 2017 until this summer, I’ve demonstrated my leadership and perseverance. In addition to the planning board, I have worked on multiple municipal bodies, including the Open Space Committee and Master Plan Committee. As an environmental affairs executive, I’ve risen to the top of organizations and businesses alike during my 25 years in the sector. Throughout my career and public service, I have fought for what’s right and I’ll continue to do that each and every day for our community here in Manchester.

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

My educational background, business and professional experience, along with my existing municipal involvement makes me an excellent candidate for this position. As a lifelong resident of Manchester since 1978, I have watched this town grow, develop, diversify, and become the wonderful place we call home today. I grew up swimming in our lakes, enjoying our parks, attending our schools, and representing Manchester with excellence.

There is no better place to raise a family. With my children, we have been involved in the community through clubs, sports, ceremonies, and a host of wonderful events over the years. Continuing to serve as councilwoman is the perfect forum to utilize my experience, knowledge, talents, and love for Manchester Township.