Berkeley Heights Council Primary Candidate: Julie Figlar

BERKELEY HEIGHTS NJ — Julie Figlar is one of six candidates running for Township Council in the Berkeley Heights primary election being held on Tuesday, June 4.

Democrats Julie A. Figlar and Rina Franchino are running on the Democratic ticket, while Gentiana Brahimaj along with Manuel Couto, and Edmund Tom Maciejewski and George de Luna are running as Republicans. There are two three-year council seats up for grabs.

All six candidates are vying for their party's nomination on June 4 and then will move on to the general election on Nov. 5.

Julie Figlar

Description:

My name is Julie Figlar, and I have lived in Berkeley Heights for 14 years. My husband Jason and I have three daughters: Claudia (age 4), Carly (age 8), and Addy (age 10). Carly and Addy both attend Berkeley Heights public schools.

What experience do you have that would help you serve?

I have been working as a teacher and Reading Specialist at Mary Kay McMillin school for nearly 20 years, and I hold a Master’s of Education. I serve on the PTO at Hughes and Mary Kay, and I have been an active volunteer parent with the Girl Scouts and various Recreation sports. I have received both the New Jersey Best Practice Award and the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities Fellowship Award. As teachers, my running mate Rina Franchino and I are both lifelong learners.

What issues would you like to address in Berkeley Heights?

Rina Franchino and I are excited to put Berkeley Heights first and continue the progress Mayor Angie Devanney and the town council have made over the last few months. The town has paved more roads, taken more fiscally responsible actions, and implemented new ways of better communicating with us residents. We want to continue looking for ways to cut unnecessary costs, save the taxpayers money, and ensure the development in our town is completed on time. With this new development, we will have new families coming in to Berkeley Heights, and we want to make sure these families feel welcome and know about the services we offer. Finally, we want to help small businesses succeed in this town and help smooth the way for businesses to stay here.

Why should voters vote for you?

Rina Franchino and I will work to ensure all Berkeley Heights voices are heard in town hall, regardless of your party, background, or identity. We are excited to bring new ideas to the council while continuing the progress we’ve made. As moms of children who attend the public schools, we are invested in what happens here. In fact, while driving down Plainfield Avenue one day, my daughter, Addy, noticed the Mondelli Park sign and she asked if it was going to be entirely a park, and why it wasn’t a park yet. I answered that it would actually be partially a park, and partially some housing units. She quickly said, "Can’t Abbey’s mom [referring to Mayor Angie Devanney, mother of Abbey Devanney] do something about it? We need it to be a park!" I loved that she noticed and was passionate about our hometown. I responded that Abbey’s mom alone wasn’t involved solely in the decision, but a lot of people including town council, it occurred to me; I not only wanted to be involved in those decisions, but I needed to be involved for the sake of my daughter’s future. Rina and I will work together with Mayor Devanney and the town council to make this town the best it can be, and we are committed to putting Berkeley Heights and its residents ahead of politics.

My experience equips me with the necessary leadership qualities, ideas, and fiscal stewardship to be your Sheriff on day one.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the profile, email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

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