Green Brook Township Committee Candidate: Bryan Murdock

GREEN BROOK, NJ — Bryan Murdock is one of the four candidates running for election in the contested Green Brook Township Committee election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

There are four candidates vying for two three-year seats on the board with candidates including: Democrats Bryan Murdock and Arthur Goodman and Republicans Patrick Boccio and James VanArsdale.

Bryan Murdock

Description:

My name is Bryan Murdock and I am an 11-year resident of Green Brook running for Township Committee. I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in South Jersey, where I graduated from Camden County Vocational Technical School. I worked after high school as a pipefitter, millwright’s apprentice, and a big-rig truck driver.

I returned to school and worked my way through college and then went on to graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin where I graduated with a Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a focus on environmental policy. I have been married 34 years to my wife, Dr. Marguerite Mayhall, who teaches at Kean University, and I have a son, Renzo, who recently graduated from Watchung Hills and is now a freshman at Oberlin College in Ohio.

For the past 15 years, I have been working at Montclair State University, where I am currently the founding director the Center for Community Engagement. I am an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy fishing, hiking, and snow skiing. Over the years, I have volunteered as a little league coach, an assistant soccer coach with the Watchung Hills Soccer Association, and as a hospice volunteer for seven years in Austin, Texas.

Why are you running?

As the Director of Center for Community Engagement at Montclair State University, part of my job is to teach students the roles and responsibilities of citizenship and to help prepare them for their future roles as informed and engaged citizens in a democratic society. One of the principles we emphasize with students is the importance of civic engagement and giving back to the community. After having taught students this for more than 20 years, I’ve decided to practice what I teach!

I also want to ensure that new ideas are part of Township Committee deliberations and policy making. If elected I hope to bring a fresh perspective, new ideas, and a critical approach to the Township Committee.

What experience do you have that would help you serving?

As previously mentioned, I have a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and I have 28 years of public service, including positions with the Texas Legislative Council as a Redistricting Analyst, The Texas Education Agency as an Education Specialist, The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin as a Program Director, and Montclair State University where I currently serve as the Director of the Center for Community Engagement.

What issues would you like to see addressed if elected?

• Issue 1: Diversify the township’s taxes base to lower property taxes

As a Township committee member I will work with my fellow committee members to formulate polices aimed at increasing commercial development along the Route 22 corridor in an effort to diversify the tax base and reduce residential property taxes.

• Issue 2: Promote Smart Growth

While I will seek to attract more commercial development to Green Brook, I am also committed to applying the principles of smart growth and sensible land use polices, especially in the proposed Village Development Zone on Washington Ave and Green Brook Rd.

• Issue 3: Improve Communications between Town Hall and Green Brook Residents

I believe that Town hall communications with the community need improvement. I will support and pursue the development of a strategic communication plan with a goal of promoting better communications between Town Hall and residents and improving transparency of government actions and decision making.

• Issue 4. Renewal of Civic Live

As a committee member, I will work diligently to foster the renewal of civic life by promoting more civic engagement and supporting Township efforts to organize fun-runs, street festivals, farmers markets, and volunteer days that promote Green Brook’s history and its natural resources.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the profile, please email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

(Image provided: Bryan Murdock)

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