Toms River Council Election 2021: Michele Williams

Toms River NJ

31 October, 2021

2:34 PM

Description

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The 2021 election campaign culminates when voters go to the polls Nov. 2 to choose Toms River Township Council members. Each of the four ward seats are up for election. There are two candidates seeking each ward seat, which is a four-year term. Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation. Here are the answers from Michele Williams, who is running for Ward 1. Age: 72 years young Town of residence: Toms River Position sought: Ward 1 Council seat Party affiliation: Democrat Family: My husband Kevin, of 39 years, and I both grew up, were educated and married in Jersey City. After many summers spent in Shelter Cove, we became permanent TR residents in 1989. My husband is a retired West New York police sergeant, where he also served as the PBA President for several years. We have 2 grown children, Allison lives in Manalapan with her husband Michael and our 2 grandchildren Ethan and Mackenzie. Our son, Kevin, resides in Kansas City, MO, with his wife Natalie and our granddaughter Charlotte. Education: BA, Elementary Education, Jersey City State College, MA, Educational Leadership & Supervision, Seton Hall University, MA, Theological, Liturgical & Pastoral Studies, La Salle University Occupation: Retired Elementary School Principal, St. Joseph Grade School, Toms River Previous elective office, if any: Toms River Regional Schools Board member serving in my 4th year Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? No Why are you seeking office? Service is second nature to me. My entire professional life has been spent in service, beginning in 1969 as teacher, St. Boniface School, Jersey City, and culminating years later as principal of St. Joe's, Toms River. In the interim, with each new appointment, I grew in leadership capacity. This manifested itself in new skills, vision, courage and proactive decision-making. Within the span of 14 years I modernized the infrastructure and brought St. Joe's into the 21st century. I will apply these skills and strategic thinking to the work of our council for the future of our town! Far too long our council has engaged in reactionary, uninformed decision-making, which many times results in unintended consequences. Example, the 2017 council changed the zoning for worship acreage; the unintended consequence, the federal government filed a lawsuit against Toms River. Marci Hamilton, the religious land use expert said, "2017 was not Toms River's best moment. The Justice Department was going to come down with a hammer." Instead of reacting to events/issues, going into scramble mode, putting out fires, the council must be proactive. We do this by identifying our threats and seizing our opportunities. We do this not by gut decisions. We do this with informed decision-making! What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? We must stabilize our property taxes. As principal of St. Joseph Grade school, I had to provide first-rate education for our students and stay within a budget. I can do the same with the township. My plan? Get rid of unneeded patronage jobs. I've gained a great deal of benefits and insurance knowledge during my 4 years on the school board benefits committee, where the district's BA does an extraordinary job. We can obtain competitive pricing for employee insurance benefits instead of relying on politically connected firms. Expand shared services with surrounding towns and our school district. We can't afford to keep on doing things the same old way, and count on the taxpayer to bail out the politicians. What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? 1. Toms River has been my home for over 32 years. But I just don't live here, I have served, and continue to serve this community for the past 25 years: Director of Religious Education, St. Justin the Martyr Parish, 7 years, Principal of St. Joseph Grade School for 14 years, and currently in my 4th year on the Toms River Regional Schools Board. 2. Retirement will allow me to devote 100 percent of the work week to respond to the needs and concerns of Ward 1 residents, and fulfill all my council responsibilities on every evening and each weekend as required. 3. Though our council expresses interest in our school district, they and my opponent have no idea of the damage S2 has wrought on our district. I do! As we move forward onto other township projects, we must keep the quality of our children's education in the mix. I will inform, I will advocate, and I will energize each council member to do their share and reach out and develop a personal relationship with every state legislator and state senator that represents Toms River to fulfill their obligation for our children and restore school funding. Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. OPEN SPACEI have always told my teachers to begin with the end in mind. Know first what you want to achieve then plan your strategy. Had our township council done this years ago, investing in open space we would not have to play catch up today. A failure of vision and planning. BEACHES & WATERFRONTSWard 1 is home to most of our beaches, bay fronts, and lagoons. In concert with federal and state Departments of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, and local advocates we must have a visionary plan to protect and preserve our natural resources. We have begun to invest in sections of our town recreationally. Shelter Cove Beach needs to be next on the list for a makeover with the possibility of the addition of a dog park. And finally residents in the vicinity of the municipal pool have concerns. Perhaps a comprehensive review of the pool's operation is called for in the 2022 goals of our council. PUBLIC SAFETYSections of Ward 1 still use their home wells for tap drinking water. Some time ago, there was a concern in the Windsor Park section regarding contaminated wells. As a safety practice and health issue for these residents, a schedule to periodically monitor these wells would alleviate fears. This is not something that should be left to when homes are bought and sold to ensure tap water is safe. The barrier island sections of our township lack adequate 24/7 emergency and fire responders. As the Ward 1 councilperson I commit to working with our mayor and chief of police on the creation of a plan of action to accommodate our summer population and for year-round residents during the other months of the year. VACANT STORE FRONTSAs you ride through Ward 1 you will find at least one vacant storefront in each strip mall. This is unacceptable. We need to do a better job here. Our residents shouldn't have to drive to Brick for specialty stores. Our residents desire quality businesses. We can do this! What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office? As a member of the school board in 2019 we were successful in securing the passing of a $147 million referendum to repair and replace elements of our school district's brick and mortar structures that were left to decay for far too many years. Toms River residents approved this extraordinary vote because we took the time to share every detail to all residents with several meetings in every school in the district. Every question was answered and residents left believing in this project. This transparent communication resulted in the monumental passing of this referendum which when completed provides a safe learning environment children will enjoy for many years to come. Those of us on the board at that time continue to be proud and celebrate this accomplishment. This is a model our town should imitate with all and any projects that will impact the lives of our residents. It was all about time, communication, and transparency, resulting in trust and a successful project! What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? The service bug for me, back then Michele Pagano, began in high school, St. Dominic Academy, Jersey City. I spent many afterschool hours in the JC projects assisting children with their homework, obtaining signatures to support the rights of all to own a home. This has been a lifelong passion to serve and retirement hasn't changed that in me. In addition to my service on the school board, I am a board member of Ocean's Harbor House, a board member of the Central Ocean Rotary of Toms River, and the Communities that Care, RJW Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. For my spiritual growth and support I am a parishioner of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, formally employed there as director of Religious Education 1993-1999 and connected to the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell as an associate member.