Morristown Town Council Election 2021: Toshiba Foster

MORRISTOWN, NJ — It won't be long until Morristown elects members to its Town Council. Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 2 General Election.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here is the response from Town Council candidate Toshiba Foster.

Name: Toshiba Foster
Age (as of Election Day): 47
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Two daughters – Nikiyah Foster (29), Kylah Diaz (14). Nikiyah attended the Morris School District and is a recent graduate of William Paterson University. Kylah is currently a student at Morristown High School
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No
Education: Some College, Human Resources Management Certificate, Rutgers University
Occupation: Employee Relations Manager
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Previously served on the Planning Board, Council Liaison to the Morristown Parking Authority, and currently serve as Councilwoman-At-Large (Vice President)
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Morri...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for re-election because of my passion to serve our town and our residents. I have listened to concerns about affordable housing, traffic, public safety, development and so much more, and have worked tirelessly to address these concerns. I remain committed to continuing the work on improving the quality life for our residents and making our town a beautiful, safe place to live, work and raise a family.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Increasing public engagement through technology to reach more people, especially when it comes to dealing with things like snowstorms i.e., informing all residents of the free parking in the garages, warming centers during the frigid temperatures, food pantries, etc. While alerts and email communications are already in place and residents are receiving the information, we can also look for other opportunities to do additional community outreach.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My record over the last 9 years is a testament of more affordable housing being built. We have kept taxes stabilized, balanced the budget resulting in a healthy surplus and people are investing in their homes and our downtown businesses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• As Council Vice President, we created more affordable housing than any Administration and Council in the last 30 years.
• Supported the creation of adult special needs housing.
• Currently, 15% of any development is dedicated as affordable housing; however, I would like to work with the Administration and Council to increase affordable housing to 20
• Additionally, maintain taxes, preserve our parks and open space.

Environment - Climate change is real:

• Continue to support our Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Commission, and our public tree canopy to help offset rising temperatures. We have to protect our parks and waterways.

Public Safety

• Continue to work with our Public Safety Director to ensure pedestrian and bicycling safety. Keeping our public informed on what is going on in Morristown.
• Support safe crosswalks and cycling on the road and our dog friendly community. Crime is low in Morristown and we thank the Morristown Police Department for everything they do.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

A single parent that raised two beautiful children. My oldest is a college graduate which I am very proud of. Life is a challenge and I can look at things from the perspective of how difficult life is raising my daughters as a single parent. In my professional career, I’ve worked in the Human Resources profession for 25 years and my strong communication skills, ability to listen effectively and passion for helping others has helped prepare me for this role. Additionally, I am a founding member of Our Youth Their Future Inc. a non-profit organization established to educate and keep our youth focused on the important things in life. While this was not an easy task, it was something I wanted to do in efforts to help the youth of our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My late mother Dorothy “Dimples” Holman often said “when a person shows you who they are, believe them” a quote I hold dear to me to this day.

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

I will continue to work every day for the betterment of the community, remain open to every new idea, be inclusive as a council and I hope to have the opportunity to serve another term.

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