Scotch Plains Primary Election Profile: Ellen Zimmerman​

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Scotch Plains preliminary election on July 7 has two candidates running for one open seat on the Township Council. Ellen Zimmerman, 51, a Democrat is running against Republican incumbent Theodore J. Spera.

Zimmerman has worked as a Human Resource Director at Franklin Food Bank in Somerset since January 2017.

Her family includes her husband, Joshua Zimmerman (married since 1996) and children Ali Zimmerman, 21, a senior at New York University; Kelly Zimmerman, 18, a freshman at University of Colorado Boulder; and Jeremy Zimmerman, 15, a sophomore at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School.

Zimmerman has a Master of Social Work from the New York University (May 2000) and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia (June 1991).

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Campaign website

Scotchplainsdems.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for a seat on Scotch Plains Town Council to further ensure that Scotch Plains is a safe, happy and accommodating place for everyone in our community. I have worked hard to prioritize the needs of those around me through my professional life as well as my volunteer involvement in our community.

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

COVID-19 has drastically altered how we conduct our lives and businesses. We cannot ignore it as one of the most pressing issues at the current time. Professionally, I am working as Human Resources Director at the Franklin Food Bank in Somerset. We have had to quickly adapt our service model to comply with social distancing protocols while still ensuring that the food needs of our clients were uninterrupted. I will bring this experience to help address logistical issues in Scotch Plains as small businesses continue to adapt and re-open.

The recent Black Lives Matter events have been important in raising awareness regarding issues surrounding systemic racism. I plan to work with members of the Scotch Plains community who are personally experiencing the consequences of centuries of racist policies and listen to their ideas on ways to make our town a safe and inclusive place for everyone. This will include proposing policies to diversify our education system and curriculum and promoting equity in local business to ensure that everyone has a chance to provide the best life for themselves and their families.

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

As a mother of three kids who have all gone through the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school system, I relish the close knit environment my kids have grown up in and my youngest still enjoys with his friends. It is important to me to see Scotch Plains preserve its character and be a safe place for kids to grow up. I have spent a lot of time volunteering in the community and sharing ideas with other parents. I know from the ground level what Scotch Plains needs to continue to flourish as a community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Responsible and prudent downtown development: I am in support of developing our downtown in an effort to increase the value of our properties while maintaining the suburban character of Scotch Plains that brings our community together.

Improving outdoor services for residents: As a former member of the Cultural Arts Committee, I value the importance of arts and culture in our community as well as parks and recreation. I am always looking for opportunities to improve the accessibility of our parks and green spaces for youth as well as senior programs.

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

Since my oldest daughter was enrolled in kindergarten at McGinn Elementary School, I have sought out several volunteer opportunities which have allowed me to work closely with members of the Scotch Plains community and develop programs and policy solutions to best serve our families. I have served as PTA President at McGinn Elementary School. I have served as Girl Scout leader for both of my daughters’ troops and School Organizer for the Girl Scouts, where I was liason for ten local troops. I have served on the Cultural Arts Committee in Scotch Plains. I have volunteered as co-chair for Young People’s Theatre and Kids Care. I have served as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of the JCC of Central New Jersey as well as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. I have also previously co-chaired the Winter Fundraiser at the JCC. These varying positions have allowed me to connect with and develop relationships with people from all parts of our community.

Outside of Scotch Plains, my work as the Human Resources Director at the Franklin Food Bank has further equipped me with tools to serve as the best Town Council member I can be. The coronavirus pandemic placed an added challenge on families who already struggle with food insecurity. At the Franklin Food Bank, we faced our own hurdles as we adapted our service model to comply with social distancing protocols, while still ensuring that the needs of our clients were adequately met. I am proud to have played a part of such a dynamic and adaptable team who has been able to quickly redesign our procedures in a time of international crisis and still ensure that all of our clients were able to put food on the table. I believe that this experience speaks to my ability to work efficiently and effectively in difficult situations, and I will bring this same dedication to my work on Town Council.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Everyone you ever meet knows something you don’t.

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

I believe that decisions made on behalf of the town should involve as many local voices as possible and are informed in a way that best serve the people they are meant to benefit. As a member of Scotch Plains Town Council, I will do my best to create spaces to allow members of the community to voice their opinions on policy decisions and will consider a range of experiences to inform my decisions.