Why Tom Maciejewski is Running for Berkeley Heights Council

Why are you Running for Office?

I am running because I do not believe that it is healthy for Berkeley Heights to have the equivalent of career politicians with people serving 10+ years running our town. Local government should be run by the community, and have a flow of people representing different experiences and opinions.

The Incumbent has already served 3 terms and is asking for a forth. I believe that is too much.

There is a large portion of Berkeley Heights Residents who have voted for me in the past and would like me to be on the Council to be their representation.

I pledge that I will be honest and transparent, read all contracts, resolutions and ordinances and pledge a fiduciary duty to the residents on all decisions.

What unique skills or knowledge will you bring to the elected office you are seeking?

I have followed the township council for the past 4 years and have worked to share the township information with the residents, providing a level of communication and transparency that has not been in Berkeley Heights since the last printed paper that covered local politics was around.

I also have a unique perspective as I have spoken to thousands of people in Berkeley Heights over the past 4 years, from all demographics and sections of the town. I have had deep conversations with many of them and realize what they are looking for in a Representative.

What do you think the major issues facing Berkeley Heights are at this time?

Municipal Building - Municipal building is WAY over budget. Started out as a buildout of the existing little flower school building, then to a $28,000,000 project, then to a $32,000,000 project, then new change orders and asbestos problems, and key items pushed out of scope to be billed to the residents in the future. The Council needs come up with ways for this building to provide revenue to the town. Some ideas are renting out the majority of the office space. Using the larger areas as a for profit arts center, dance troop practice / performance area, PAL or other sports group training facility. Offices could be rented to other government entities, such as a college, state, BOE etc … or to small businesses. The point is that we are millions over, this building needs to provide revenue.

Overdevelopment - Berkeley Heights is taking on 1408 new apartments and condos. Many of the developers have been offered, PILOTs which are tax abatements which subsidize developers profits with current BH Businesses and Residents tax dollars. We should NOT be subsidizing developers profits in Berkeley Heights.

Lack of Representation - I believe we have many people on the council who are nice people, however I question if all of them can check off the following:
1) Read everything they are passing
2) Independently evaluate what they are passing and the bigger impact on Berkeley Heights
3) Are non beholden to special interest groups in town, to the point where they would cast a vote that they felt was in the best interest of the town but may irritate their group.

We need someone in there that will fulfill their fiduciary duty to Berkeley Heights and Respect the Taxpayers. In the Republican Primary please vote for Conservative Republicans: Maciejewski (10F) & de Luna (11F) for Berkeley Heights Township Council.