Five Questions With Verona Incumbent Bob Manley

Bob Manley has lived in Verona for more than 20 years with his wife Nancy and their two children Sarah and Tyler. 

He is a physical science teacher in Millburn, head men's varsity golf coach at Millburn High School, and the current deputy mayor of Verona.

In addition to the Verona Township Council, he is a member of the Verona Planning Board as well as council liaison to the Verona Public Safety Committee, the Verona Chamber of Commerce, the Verona Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, and the Verona Rescue Squad.

What issues are important to you as a resident?
It is vitally important to keep our property taxes as low as we possibly can, but to also maintain the high quality of life and delivery of essential services on which people rely. We are right in the middle of the mix as far as Essex County property taxes.

People move here for the low cost and that quality of life. Our education system is top notch and in general, property values rise and fall with success or failure of your school system. Maintaining a high quality school system is paramount.

What other organizations or bodies have you been a part of?
Over the past 21 years as a resident of Verona, I have been involved in many community groups, activities, and initiatives. I served as the Verona Community Pool Manager from 1999 to 2008.

I was an assistant coach with the Verona Eagles for 2 years, a Verona Baseball League coach for six years, a head coach of the Verona Barnstormers for three years, and a soccer and basketball coach with a number of recreation department teams as my children were growing up.

Upon first being elected to the town council in 2009, I was named council liaison to the Verona Municipal Alliance Committee, and served in that capacity for two years.

Why do you want to be on the council?
While I am thoroughly committed to keeping our property taxes as low as conceivably possible, I also pledge to do everything in my power to maintain the high quality of life, and the delivery of essential services that the residence of Verona have come to enjoy, and upon which they rely.

I seek re-election so that I may continue the good work I have begun, and help lead Verona to an even more prosperous and fulfilling future.

What makes you qualified for this position?
Since being elected to the Verona Town Council in 2009, I believe I have exhibited and maintained all of the requisite qualities of effective community leadership that I pledged to uphold during my initial campaign.

Over the past three plus years, I have proven myself to be a trusted and dedicated member of the council. I have listened to every concern raised by the citizens of Verona.

I have taken under advisement every thought, idea, and suggestion offered to me, and then made the most informed decision possible for what I believed was for the good of the entire community.

What issues do you plan to tackle if re-elected?
I appreciate greatly the need to continue to encourage and invite developers and new businesses into Verona. Quality development such as the Cenrose Corporation's Hilltop project must be vigorously sought out and brought to fruition.

This will further bolster our economy and help relieve some of the tax burden on the residents. Our unique location and diverse demographic make Verona a extremely desirable location for both start-up businesses as well as those wishing to relocate.

That, coupled with Verona's genuine warmth and small town charm, will draw young families into becoming part of our community. Continuing to seek out and bring in new and sustainable revenue streams is increasingly challenging, but strategic to insuring the economic stability of the future of our town.