Warren Committee Election 2021: Nichelle Santos

WARREN, NJ — Warren's general election on Nov. 2 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee.

Nichelle Santos is one of two Democratic candidates running.

The other candidates include:

• Ilana Goldstein-Barsky - Democrat
• Victor J. Sordillo - Republican (Incumbent)
• Gary P. DiNardo - Republican (Incumbent)

All of the candidates are running for the three, three-year seats on the board.

Are you running for office in Warren? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Warren Patch.

Nichelle Santos

Name: Nichelle Santos

Age: 53

Town of residence: Warren

Position sought: Warren Township Committee

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Ananda - 18 yrs; Gabrielle - 23 yrs; Brianna - 26 yrs

Education: Rutgers University, B.S. Environmental Health & Safety; Harvard Kennedy School, Public Leadership Credential, and MPA candidate

Occupation: I have an interesting love of risk mitigation and fashion, I've spent considerable time in hard hats, work boots and other personal protective equipment and the remaining in custom designed pieces. I've been an entrepreneur for pretty much most of my life, I've owned a retail business when my children were young, as CEO of Gabrianda Designs, a custom clothing company for 15 years. I'm currently a Vice President with a national employer services corporation; I specialize in insurance services, risk management and healthcare consulting; starting out straight out of Rutgers U. I've been in the insurance and environmental, health and safety industry collectively for 20 years.

Previous or current elected appointed office: My mother, Marie Santos (deceased) was Committeewoman in Marlboro Township

Why are you seeking to run for township committee? Warren has so much to offer as one of the most beautiful places to live and thrive; I’d like to contribute as Committeewoman to public service, to protect our environment from over development; with short term and long term planning with Sustainable Development Goals, with accountability and transparency. I’m inspired to find ways in which to leave this world a little better than what it currently is, and thus the Goldstein-Barsky & Santos campaign slogan was born: “Building Smarter, Building Together”

The COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida, has brought the worst public health crisis in our lifetime, with many climate challenges to our community and to our doorsteps; as a healthcare consultant who focuses on population health and innovation in improving health outcomes for communities in the public sector.

I’m seeking office to contribute my expertise and resources, as I’m uniquely qualified as a public servant and Township Committeewoman, to strengthen and unite our community as we proceed on the road to recovery. We have an opportunity to build back smarter to become more resilient and efficient to strengthen services of our local government, together. We have a responsibility to hear the voices of our citizens and tap into the strong pipeline of creative talent they can offer. Finally, we have a responsibility to our local business community to increase their sustainability through good risk mitigation and utilization of county and state programs

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

We must rise with resilience as we continue to confront budget challenges caused by the most expansive disruption of economic activity since the Great Depression. It is critically important to have a comprehensive plan for the vision and mission of Warren; with alternatives to increasing taxes at this pivotal moment in history. Our post-disaster recovery plan should be solution driven to be inclusive of all of our Township residents and families in mind, from our youth to our seniors; to collaborate with our school districts to maintain health and safety measures and so the district can rely upon the Committee for fiscal responsibility. The financial fitness of our local business community remains critical for tax revenue and for supportive services and communal networking of the citizens; as well as to provide resources to those whose livelihoods may have been impacted by financial crises and/or mental health issues.

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

I believe in effective governance, comprehensive planning, transparent implementation, and civic participation along with a strong communication strategy. To build a thriving community, government must be transparent and communicate so citizens are aware of what’s happening, thereby they can engage and their voice can be heard for plans and policies of excellence. We must have tracking and measuring in place as we move our community, citizens and local businesses, forward with continuous improvement.

My expectation in an administration is a high level of accountability and transparency. The current Township Committee created the plan for a tax hike above the State Cap, without the input and voice of the residents, during a time when people are suffering, and that’s all wrong for Warren. They did not discuss during the scheduled Committee Meeting, but days after online and in the news, that’s no way to show leadership and gives creates the perception of distrust; I do not agree with that kind of intentional strategy.

A special COVID-19 Recovery Committee is what I would have implemented to present cost savings strategies to a budget that will be stretched; for spending guidance on how to best allocate (1) the $1.5 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, as well as (2) the Township surplus; in lieu of a tax increase. Government starts at the local level, our Township policies impact daily lives, our environment, and properties, in the full array of local government services lead by our Township Committee.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current committee failed the community?

The current Committee has underserved the business community, critically important to the financial ecosystem of Warren; important to our restaurants, and accessibility of good and services for the residents. During my walking tours with business owners, I listened to the many heartfelt stories of barely surviving to keep the doors of their business open. The intention of the ARPA funds is create opportunity to give the helping hand needed to local business community, which has not been planned by the current committee. The need is urgent! Businesses need help now before they pack up to leave our town we can’t wait until December 1, 2026, which is the plan of the current committee.

Hurricane Ida and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a perfect storm for our local jurisdiction to sink or swim, not everyone is built with the endurance to swim the treacherous waters of this storm. This was a time to build a roadmap for our community united, to manage through COVID-19 and beyond from the lens of compliance and financial stewardship; to bring innovation and fresh ideas to navigate complex ssues; not with the status quo. It’s time for Warren to modernize for twenty-first century challenges, increase efficiencies and grow in unity and inclusion, grow in economic development for growth of commerce and tax revenue; so we’re better prepared for pandemics, climate change, technology challenges, etc.

The current Committee plans to overdevelop King George Road and Wagner Farm’s Mountainview Road, with hotels, new residential units and affordable housing, to bring congestion, traffic, pollution, and plans to discharge one million gallons of treated wastewater from the dedicated sewage treatment plant into the Passaic River. I say these plans are all wrong for Warren. Sordillo and DiNardo are all wrong for Warren. Vote Goldstein-Barsky and Santos on November 2nd.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

It’s more important now than ever that we engage the process of effective governance, comprehensive planning, transparent implementation, and civic participation, for it creates a framework for a more sustainable Township, in a post pandemic & post superstorm Ida, transformed society. My family and I have chosen Warren as our home town for its beauty of the environment: clean air, clean water, open space with wild life and a safe community. As an environmental scientist I believe in the science of climate change, we must reduce carbon emissions, increase efficiencies, plant more trees, stop overdevelopment to preserve our environment, for future generations to come. The current committee sees overdevelopment as the path forward. I’d like to see Warren maintain it’s rich rural beauty with open space and green space.

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

I grew up in a suburban community, Marlboro, similar to Warren. As a young teen I had a most unfortunate loss of my mother and father in a tragic accident; I had to overcome insurmountable odds to finish high school as a scholar/athlete, persevere my college education at Rutgers University as a Varsity Track and Field athlete; and make my way in the world as a productive citizen. With strong faith in Christ, I felt confident to navigate what life had thrown at me. My Faith still continues as I am a testament of what can be accomplished when we Believe, practice proper planning, strategy and execution. Prior to the pandemic, Warren had room for improvement in the balance of revenue from the business community and revenue from the citizens of the community; however now, further exacerbated by the pandemic.

As a creative entrepreneur I understand the necessity of a strong economic development plan for commerce in the community, to bring tax retables to offset the burden of taxes paid by citizens. As a corporate business woman specializing in healthcare and risk management insurance services in the public sector, I practice daily financial stewardship and impact strategy as a critical component to manage publicly funded agencies.

I’m a consummate student of life and learning; finding purpose and inspiration in continued education; as well as maintaining professional licensing and continuing education requirements as per the Department of Banking and Insurance. Public Policy is what I truly enjoy in creation and implementation. I’ve completed courses in Public Policy & Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School for the past two years and will continue to earn my Master’s in Public Administration through 2022. My alma mater is home grown, Rutgers University, B.S. Environmental Health and Safety; where I was also a Varsity Track and Field athlete, and I’m still an active member of the RU Varsity Club and look forward to attending games and athletic events once again.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My mother always told me to find my passion, to do what I love and I would find peace, happiness and success. Here, President Obama states, “Have principles and issues you are passionate about, and act; worry more about doing something, than being something.” This creates our why we do what inspires us, and what moves others in your inspiration to act in that same way. Finding what you’re passionate about, I’m passionate about our Township, the beauty of our people, young and old; and our environment. If elected as Township Committeewoman I would act to protect our most precious assets, with policies for us to thrive united; to enjoy with our families now and to build a legacy for generations to come.

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

Recently, I addressed the COVID-19 public health crisis with City and County Managers from across the Country at the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) 2021 Virtual Summit, offering examples of cost saving strategies and a roadmap for managing through COVID-19 and beyond from the lens of compliance and financial stewardship. As the presenting sponsor of the keynote address featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NAID), I facilitated an interactive discussion and Q&A session. The dialogue delved into the impacts of COVID-19 in the African American community, vaccine apprehension, testing, and vaccine strategy for economic recovery. The fascinating interview featuring Dr. Fauci is available here.

As well I had the phenomenal opportunity to engage in a public health discussion with powerhouse business woman, Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens; former CEO of Sam’s Club and former COO of Starbucks.

This summer, I received the 2021 Corporate Citizen Award by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators for engaging in exemplary collaborative partnerships of public and private partnerships during these extraordinary days. 2020 was a year that affirmed our resilience and our commitment to our residents, school district, local business community members and the surrounding communities that we’re a part of. From the impact of a global pandemic to an overdue reckoning with racial inequality, the events of the past year provided us with important opportunities to bring our mission and core values to life. I made a decision to make this pivotal moment, a time of intentional action to rise in resilience, to improve the lives of our community. Now I ask the citizens of Warren to make the decision and take the action to vote for Nichelle Santos and Ilana Goldstein Barsky for Warren Township Committee.

As a Commissioner for the County of Somerset Commission on the Status of Women, my running mate, Ilana Goldstein-Barsky and I strongly opposed the action taken by the Supreme Court to ban a woman’s right to choose her reproductive rights in the State of Texas. We hosted a Women’s Rally on October 2nd at the Warren Municipal Center, which was well attended by women and girls, even men of Warren; as well as County Commissioner Shanel Robinson, LD-21 Candidate for Assembly and President of the National Organization of Women, NJ Chapter, Anajali Mehrotra, and many other advocates of women’s reproductive rights. We do not want to roll back the hands of time to strip away right’s society fought so hard for in Roe v Wade in 1973. We’re at a critical time when everything is at stake, your decision to make the right choice of elected officials is crucial. I ask that you vote for Goldstein-Barksy and Santos on November 2 nd , Building Smarter, Building Together.

I have been endorsed by the following organizations:

• The County of Somerset County Commissioner Director, Shanel Robinson
• The County of Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director, Sara Sooy
• The County of Somerset County Sheriff, Darrin Russo
• The New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women
• The Somerset County Federation of Democratic Women
• Emerge, NJ
• Elect Women NJ (Woman to Watch)

I’m a member of the following organizations:

• Commissioner, Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women
• Somerset County, County Committee
• Somerset County Business Partnership
• ELECT WOMEN NJ, Founding Board Member (leave of absence)
• National Association of Health Underwriters
• National Forum For Black Public Administrators, National Board of Public Policy
• Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
• Rutgers Alumni & Rutgers Varsity Club