South Brunswick Mayoral Primary Election 2022: Arthur L. Robinson

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Arthur L. Robinson will be challenging Mayor Charles Carley in the upcoming primary elections on June 7.

Robinson has served on the South Brunswick Board of Education from 2008-2021 and has been a member on various boards and committees. Robinson wants to be a "people-oriented mayor" and focus on efficiency and transparency in municipal operations.

According to him, the single most pressing issue facing South Brunswick is traffic congestion and he wants to focus on smart growth and development while improving traffic conditions.

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Name: Arthur L. Robinson

City or town of residence: South Brunswick

Office sought: Mayor

Party affiliation: Democratic

Education: M.S. in Environmental Policy Studies; B.S. Chemical Engineering

Occupation: Manager, State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, 8 years; Chemical Safety Engineer, State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, 7 years

Family: Jermaine, adult

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Age: 65

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Elected board member, South Brunswick Board of Education, (2008-2021), South Brunswick Social Services Advisory Board (2015-2016), Planning Board (1992-1995, 1999-2003); Middlesex County Democratic Committeeperson District 8 (2015-present), and Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission (1995-1998)

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm seeking this office to serve as a people-oriented mayor of the Township of South Brunswick to provide efficiency and transparency in municipal operations, to ensure the betterment of traffic flow on Rt 1 with three lanes from Rt 522 North to Finnegans Lane, a chamber of commerce initiative to provide, within our township, quality recreation and dining facilities for residents, a safe community initiative to ensure that we have adequate fire, police and first aid squads serving our township. I'm very concerned with flooding due to poor drainage infrastructure and poor street lighting throughout the township. We can do better to improve safety for our residents and their property. This has been my town for 33 years, so I want to continue to serve my town for many years to come in this honorable office. Just as I served my country with 22 years in the U.S. Navy retiring as a commander.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is traffic congestion, and I intend to ensure that all new or expanding developments have an adequate traffic impact study and that our Transportation Master Plan is relevant and maintained to ensure that we have present and future growth infrastructure to support these developments. As mayor, I will have a seat of the planning board which will allow me to hear and process the applications that will be a benefit to my constituents. My prior planning board experience will enable me to ask critical questions dealing with off-track improvements and the site plan development.

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

I'm the candidate that will go out into the community and talk to the residents to find out what is on their minds and how I can make their quality of life better. I consider myself an individual that has empathy for my fellow man. I like to learn from people and their experiences on how to solve problems to seek a compromise. I strongly believe that the diversity in South Brunswick is our Keystone and the magnet that attracts people to move here. I'm a retired Navy commander with leadership experiences protecting our country overseas and right here at home. I'm a very humble man that grew up with lesser means. I have a passion for community and public service by working at the grassroots level to solve issues.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The community wants to see their elected official as the leader of the town. Not just at community events but to meet with them where they live on their streets. People want quality recreational activities for their kids in town and quality restaurant choices to sit down and have a good meal or go to a movie or show. The township lacks quality recreational activities. People should not have to go to a neighboring township for qualities of life that we should have right here in the township. We have an outdated community center with no community swimming pool. We no longer have a YMCA. As mayor, I will work to make improvements in one area of great concern, Recreation.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

During COVID-19 and other economic issues facing our township, I'm proposing an initiative to focus on community home gardens. Communities will be able to grow food to share and take excess to the food pantry. In addition, I propose through enhanced shared services with our high-performing school district, county government, and neighboring municipalities that new methodologies are explored to further reduce property taxes on our residents. Under my proposed transportation initiative, I want to ensure that all transportation infrastructure is inspected for wear and not under any stress on structural integrity. I seek to fully use any federal dollars available to protect the public traveling our highways and byways throughout the township.

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

My time served on the school board as chair of the budget and policy committees for several years producing fiscal responsible budgets and implementing policies for the district's administration. I served as vice-President in 2020. My time served as a commander in the US Navy responsible for managing divisions responsible for auxiliary and electrical equipment worth millions of dollars. I have over 22 years of leadership and service from the military. My current position as a manager in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection responsible for managing over 9,000 facilities with x-ray equipment and over 23,000 diagnostic radiologic technologists. My certification as a Certified Public Manager and certification as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt using lean methodologies to reduce waste in governmental operations. In addition. I hold a certificate of Commission from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration to administer the Mammography Quality Standards Act-Radiological Health for the State of New Jersey.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never give up!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

There are three words that best describe me: 1) dedicated, 2) empathetic, and 3) leader. In terms of positions, I'm open-minded to hear what my residents have to say that will help make our township a better place to live and be more inclusive of everyone having a seat at the table of discussion. And lastly, I ask for your support and vote during early voting June 3-5 or on June 7, Primary Election Day.