Warren General Election Profile: Ilana Goldstein-Barsky

WARREN, NJ — Warren's general election on July 7 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. Ilana Goldstein-Barsky, 42, is one of two Democratic candidates running.

Democrats Goldstein-Barsky and John Patrick Fahyare running against incumbents George K. Lazo and Michael "Mick" Marion for the two, three-year seats on the township committee.

Goldstein-Barsky has been working in the Product Management field for more than 15 years. She had previously served on the Warren Township Board of Education from 2018 to 2019.

She is married to her husband Michael and they have a son Jared, age 11. Goldstein-Barsky graduated from Montclair State University.

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Ilana Goldstein-Barsky

Campaign website

goldstein-barskyforwarren.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

For too long, our local government has been stuck in the same-old-way of doing things. Rarely challenged at the ballot-box and secure in their positions, our township committee members have become complacent, offering no new ideas to improve our community. It's time to ask if these representatives are speaking for all of us. I will bring a new kind of leadership to Warren, finally listening to all our voices, offering bold new ideas, and fighting for a prosperous future for every resident. I take great pride in the merits of Warren Township, not only in its people but also in its rural nature and strong community spirit. In order to build on that sense of community, I believe the Township Committee should work to increase civic engagement for all Warren residents. Recently, I have found myself in a position to give back to the community that I call my home. As a Committee member, I pledge to listen to and represent all residents and business owners of Warren Township.

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

Too many times Township Committee decisions are made without adequate input from our residents. In order to assure transparency, we need live-streaming committee meetings in real time, and providing meeting agendas and full descriptions of proposed ordinances available on the township website well in advance of meetings. And most importantly, decisions related to future development in the township should be made with careful consideration and input from all stakeholders. Residents as well as local businesses need to have equal voice in these decisions.

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

The most critical difference is that there are 4 men incumbents that have been on the committee for decades. They continue to build giant homes for the wealthy and allow giant medical conglomerates to take over the community while small businesses are closing left and right. It is time to bring Warren Township into the 21st century, politically and socially. I believe the Township Committee is ready for a fresh perspective, a new voice is needed to reflect the changing population of the township. The extended tenure of the current committee allows status quo thinking and does not adequately represent the diversity of our community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I do not believe the current Committee has failed completely. However, too often, the present administration provides information to the community too late. Decisions have been made and residents are notified after significant changes have been decided. Stakeholders are not able to comment or provide needed input and left to live with these policies that affect their daily lives, property and investments.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The PILOT program is used too frequently without transparency or community input. This creates a lack of trust and understanding from most residents as to the use and effect it has on all of us. Our town emits a feeling of a small farm-like charm. We have a lot of history too. It is important to restore the history but also updating the town, the businesses in order to bring people to Warren to shop or hear music that appeals to all kinds of people.

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

I've been working since I was 15 years old. I've worked in many restaurants, retail shops and offices so I pride myself on my ability to collaborate with a wide range of people from varied backgrounds in both the professional and community setting. I feel my years of business experience will be an asset to the Township Committee since I’ve managed budgets, deadlines, employees and vendor relationships. These business skills are directly transferable to township government.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I want to answer this question the way I think it's supposed to be answered, that my grandmother or father or mother, sister etc. gave me the best advice. But that's not the case. I never had a mentor. I did have some great teachers, professors and friends from whom I've learned a lot. So I will give you the best advice I wish I had received. That is go with your gut, work really hard no matter what it is you’re doing and never let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter. It does.

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

I am from an Orthodox Jewish family and have gained strong values from my private elementary school education. I also went to a public high school where I was introduced to so many people, activities, clubs and experiences that I never would have been able to experience in a private school. There, I realized that no matter what sex, religion, race, sexual orientation etc., a person is, they are still a person. They deserve to be heard and valued as much as anyone.
I am also a full time working mom and wife who is now deeply entrenched in a campaign that forces me to be the center of attention. Still having to go to the office during the pandemic, I have put myself and my family into a whirlwind of chaos. I feel guilt as a mother not being able to be at home with my son during the transition to at home schooling, I felt fear of the virus in the beginning, as most people did. But as I think about all of the people who have lost their jobs and are hungry and unable to pay rent, I feel grateful that I still have a job, that my husband still has a job and that we are all healthy. I also remind myself that my "super power" is multi-tasking. I really am able to be a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend, a dedicated employee and a candidate in a race for a seat on the Township Committee. I can do it all and feel good about myself at the end of the day.