Election 2023: Wayne Council Candidate Arlene Sullivan

WAYNE, NJ — In the 2023 general election, residents in Wayne will be voting for state, county, and township officials, as well as the local school board. Patch has asked candidates in contested races to answer profiles about their campaigns.

Early voting begins Oct. 28 in Wayne and across New Jersey, for the general election Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Here is the candidate profile of Arlene Sullivan, Democrat challenger for Ward 1 on the Wayne Township Council.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the county clerk’s office. The responses received will be published between now and the Nov. 7 general election. Local candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact Michelle.Rotuno-Johnson@patch.com.

Name: Arlene Sullivan

Age: N/A

Town of residence: Wayne

Position sought: Ward 1 Council

Family information: Born and raised in Wayne, attended schools in Wayne. Moved when I was married but came back to reside in my parent’s house where they lived for 75+ years. I have three adult children, one of whom is married, one grandchild.

Education: BA Fine Arts from William Paterson University
Graduate courses: K – 12 teaching certificate – Fine Arts

Occupation: Presently retired from teaching high school Visual & Graphic Arts as of this school year. Thinking of where to next best spend my time.

Have you held any elected or appointed offices before? If so, what are they?

I was PTO President in my children’s school in Montville. Also, was on Montville Township BOE, served as president.

Why are you running for this position (or running for re-election, if you are an incumbent)?

I remember growing up in Wayne, it has given me many happy memories and I would like to give back to the community. In looking around, the town has gone astray with over development and vacancies wherever you look. I believe a better balanced town council is needed to rein in the rampant loss of our natural resources and get the town on a positive path again.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

I don’t hear other candidates talking about a vision for the future of Wayne. I believe we need to have an overall plan for the town in order to bring it into the future. We need to look at past Master Plans and heed the trouble spots noted. We need to strategically plan how we can move forward and look for ways to repurpose the many vacant buildings while saving our natural resources. We need to work with the County and State and combine resources in addition to searching for grants.

As a Wayne Township council member, what would be your main priority and/or focus?

My highest priority would be to establish a working relationship with the council members. The election is over. We all should have the same goal, representing Wayne residents and the same interest in working hard to produce a bright future for Wayne.

My priority is to be a fact based arbiter on issues - listen to other's input but do what's best for the town and always act transparently.

Ward 1 especially needs someone who will listen to the residents, properly represent their interests and act to protect their quality of life.

Wayne saw the biggest municipal tax hike since 2008 was passed this year, and the township's population keeps increasing. What should township officials prioritize moving forward?

We need to do something to stabilize the rising taxes and over development causing rampant environmental destruction. In driving through Wayne, one notices a lot of vacancies - store fronts, single buildings, industrial – some of these sites have been empty for 30+ years. These decaying sites represent a high loss of tax revenue in what the town could be collecting if these sites were repurposed into thriving businesses. In looking how other towns have handled this problem, Nutley/Clifton is a good example. When faced with losing – Hoffman La Roche, one of their highest tax revenue resources, they looked outside the box. They brought in a strategic planner and with their help attracted businesses the town wanted and needed. Within one year, they were able to repurpose the vacant Hoffman La Roche site and collect more tax revenue than they were before. Repurposing existing properties preserves precious Open Space. The present plan of continuing to cut municipal services is not a sustainable answer.

A better balanced council will ensure positive changes come about.

What do you think makes Wayne Township shine - what makes it a desirable place to live? What could use some more work?

The residents as a collective make the town shine, our volunteers that offer their dedication, our police force that are out there dedicating themselves to our safety. They all deserve a council that listens, represents them and protects their quality of life.

We need a positive plan for the future of Wayne.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself or your campaign?

More info on election deadlines and early voting

For new voters, New Jersey’s deadline to register for the Nov. 7 election is Oct. 17. This is also the deadline for people who need to update their registration to change their name or their address on their voter record.

In-person early voting for the general election will be Oct. 28-Nov. 5. Hours will be Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. The Wayne location is Wayne Main Library, at 461 Valley Road.

If you are already registered to vote and want to check your registration status or see where your polling place is, you can do so online.

Any New Jersey voter may apply for a vote-by-mail ballot by completing the application and returning it to their county clerk's office.

Then, they may return it by mail, in a secure ballot drop box, or at the county Board of Elections office.

All 40 of New Jersey’s legislative districts also have elections this year for state Senate and General Assembly seats. A full list of state Senate and General Assembly candidates is on the state’s website.

Related articles:

• School Board Elections 2023: See Who Filed To Run In Wayne Township
• Wayne Election 2023: See Council Candidates Who Filed To Run
• Elections 2023: See Who Filed To Run For Passaic County Offices