Parsippany Township Council Election 2021: Judith Hernandez

PARSIPPANY, NJ — In just a few short weeks, Parsippany will elect a mayor and two new Township Council members. 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 Parsippany Town Council candidate Judith Hernandez.

Name: Judith Hernandez
Age (as of Election Day): 58
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Family: Paul Giovanelli husband, Meredith Giovanelli-daughter, undergrad Rutgers & masters Columbia, Adam Giovanelli-son, senior Rutgers
Education: Bachelors of Engineering from Manhattan College
Occupation: Consulting Engineering in design and construction on infrastructure i.e., transportation, wastewater for 16 years
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Mayoral Appointee on Planning Board, Council appointee on Parsippany Advisory Committee and Parsippany Green Team

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am a 22 year resident of Parsippany. During that time I raised my family and stayed active in the community both socially and civically. I am an environmental advocate and I believe that local politics and action impacts our daily lives significantly. The saying “be the change you want to see in the world” may sound cliché but is so true. I have volunteered for over a decade on township committees, local campaigns and advocated for stronger environmental policies.

The Town Council works on legislation and plans that impacts the development and policy of the township. Decisions on budget and development are controlled by the council majority without adequate urgency for the strategies that need to be implemented to make Parsippany more resilient and sustainable for the future. The changes that need to happen need support on the legislative side. I am running for Town Council because I know I can continue the positive environmental policies and sustainable practices for Parsippany we have seen in the last few years and push to implement more cost saving green initiatives.

The single most pressing issue facing our township is _____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

While there are many challenges facing communities such as COVID, employment and increasing costs, two challenges in Parsippany that must be addressed to help our town environmentally and economically are infrastructure (and the effect of extreme weather events) and smart growth. The problems we see in our town are the result of the climate crisis.

Parsippany residents are seeing record flooding combined with increased runoff from the developments that flood backyards and homes, roadways and businesses. It is costly, unhealthy and it impacts quality of life. Flooding in Parsippany is not new and is a major problem. The occurrences of flooding are increasing and will become more significant.
I have begun to address these concerns under the current mayor. As a volunteer on the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee and a co-founder of the Parsippany Green Team, I am working toward implementing green Infrastructure for stormwater management and engineering solutions to mitigate residential economic damages and improve water quality. Parsippany has also pledged to decrease the carbon emissions thereby slowing the speed of climate change. We are working towards building an environmental policy and a sustainable community to ensure a climate resilient community.

My plan is to keep Parsippany moving into the future to meet the pressures of development while maintaining the quality of life that we cherish in our town.

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

One of my opponents has been involved with public work in the township and has overseen increases in budgets that represent 67% of the taxpayers bill. My other opponent has not lived in Parsippany for more than a year and does not have the experience of being in the community to understand the issues of the taxpayer.

Under the previous administration Parsippany was pulled out of The Highlands Council and Sustainable Jersey (preventing Parsippany from applying for grants and resources), neglected the input of the Environmental Committee, allowed development that did not follow state regulations and in some cases went against the will of the council. My opponents are running with the former mayor and previous administration.

We are at an inflection point in this town, this state, this country. Sitting back and not protecting our town with a climate resiliency plan is not only poor planning but negligent. I am working on this plan and Parsippany is getting recognition for these initiatives. My running mates and my team will see that this comes to fruition.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Critical issues defining this campaign are transparency and oversight on township budgets and the operating budgets of the town’s utility. We need to ensure the township does not spend more than it earns while supporting the town’s resources. Economic concerns due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and ensuring the public health of the town. We need to continue to keep the crime rates on the downward swing and address the safety concerns of residents.

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

I have experience in planning and contractual work on design and construction projects on NYC projects. I have lived in this town and participated in the public process for over two decades. I have sat on the Open Space Committee, I am Vice Chair on the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee, On the Planning Board and the Board of Trustees of the Parsippany Child Day Care Center and I have started and Co-lead the Parsippany Green Team.

Parsippany has gained recognition in the area of environmental progress and sustainable development and striving to proactively protect our open spaces, natural resources, attracting business and addressing local infrastructure problems. I am not only advocating for these issues but I am actively making them happen with the support of the mayor. Our team has been endorsed by the NJ League of Conservation Voters for the work Parsippany has been doing.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have two pieces of advice that keep me looking forward. One is from my husband and it is a Winston Churchill quote “Perfection is the Enemy of Progress”. Another is not a quote but something I have heard by advocates working on difficult issues or platforms and it is “Do not get discouraged by minuscule successes but have a long view”.

And my own axiom that keeps me motivated “We all do better, when we all do better”- late Senator Paul Wellstone.

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

I am motivated by our natural world and what it means for people, wildlife, our state of mind and good health. I am inspired by people who are motivated and enthusiastic about environmental causes. Civic engagement on these issues is crucial and I would like to contribute to engaging more people in the process.

As I did when I ran in 2019, I am knocking on doors throughout the town and have talked to many people’s stories and concerns. Parsippany is a diverse town, rich in culture and ideas. I have met many people concerned about the environment and the legacy we will leave.

When elected, I would like to continue the mayor’s local town halls and encourage community projects. Last April the Township and the Parsippany Green Team launched a town wide Earth Day Clean Up. Inspired by a young college resident and my running mates young daughter. In addition, a Parsippany Green Team member debuted an app for a “Keep Your Streets Green” project which had a lot of sign-ups. I am confident Parsippany can continue to engage the community and move us all forward together.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Parsippany Patch Facebook page.