I have known Hemant Marathe for more than 15 years, including spending a term together on the WW-P School Board, and believe he has the skills and leadership style to be an excellent representative for our township.
Hemant brings tremendous professional, volunteer, and life skills to the Council. He has a PhD in engineering; has founded and run multiple businesses; served on the WW-P School Board for 12 years; is a parent to four young adult children; and has been an active member of our township for more than two decades. But what strikes me more than his knowledge and skills is his boundless energy and desire to use that in the service of others.
Perhaps because his goal is the continued betterment of the community, he actively listens to people with multiple perspectives on an issue and seeks to find common ground and common sense solutions through compromise and consensus. Hemant’s style is not to make a decision first and then get buy-in for it, but to ask the hard questions, get input from experts and staff, volunteers and community members, and then work with fellow committee members to figure out the best decision.
Hemant is intelligent and analytical, someone who listens and researches, a problem-solver and consensus-builder. A good leader looks at where an organization wants to go and then helps all stakeholders understand their role in getting there.
Diane Hasling
Jacob Drive
The writer is a former member of the WW-P School Board.
Many of us flocked to this town to raise our children with the help of WW-P’s excellent school system. On the school board Hemant served in an extremely difficult and demanding position that requires the care and consideration of students, teachers, administrators, and parents. You can see and appreciate his results in building consensus and action toward one of the best school systems in the state.
I first met Hemant in a professional development group. He is a leader, a mentor, and a friend. I have always appreciated his sense of humor, the way he listens carefully, and brings back the conversations that are important to us as a group. Punit, his wife, and he are very genuine people. All of these traits are what I want in a town councilman.
I know he will continue to invest his time, effort and heart into our town leadership.
Andy Rich & Family
West Windsor
You know the old rule “90 percent of success is turning up”? Well, we truly believe in that saying and here’s some proof.
We, the South Post Road residents, have attended both the county freeholder and county park commission meetings and invited each of them, including the county executive, to attend a Mercer County Park concert to witness and hear the negative impact the noise, traffic, and crowds are having on our neighborhood. Not one of our county representatives has the professional courtesy to show up.
However, Gerald Halloran came by, toured the neighborhood, introduced himself, and sat down for a real conversation. Though the topics centered on our numerous complaints with the county, it was the fact that he spent his time with us, going above and beyond to understand our concerns, that impressed us the most.
His running mates Hemant Marathe and Virginia Manzari also joined our neighborhood for a meet-and-greet later that month. They all spoke about the need for credibility, integrity, and preserving our community!
Judy Goetz, Jeff Hamer,
Teresa Lourenco
South Post Road
Virginia Manzari is a very passionate person who wants the best for both her family and our community. I know because my family lives across the street from her family. We have known her for about eight years, and we have children who go to school together. Virginia is a wonderful neighbor and a caring mother and wife. She is also a talented and intelligent woman who would be a great asset on town council.
Virginia has already dedicated much of her time and talents to our community. As a PTA volunteer for more than a decade, she shows tireless support for our children and schools. I have seen her serve as a voice of reason when changes are proposed and issues are debated. She founded WWP Cares About Our Schools, and we have been able to trust her to look out for our children’s best interests.
Virginia actively supports the broader community. Because of her concern about the effects of development, she independently took the initiative a few years ago to analyze the proposed transit village, providing information that was essential to the town council at the time. More recently she has been appointed to the Zoning Board. Always, she has made it a priority to keep abreast of important issues and help keep others informed.
Virginia has also had experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and launching new brands for well-known companies in the private sector. This business expertise will help her champion for lower taxes and effectively manage responsible development.
We are fortunate that someone as dedicated and competent as Virginia is willing to represent us. I trust her completely to watch out for our township’s best interests.
Maggy Lee
Individually and collectively the Your Voice, Our Commitment team brings to Council years of experience, service, fiscal responsibility, leadership and vision.
We have known Hemant for many years, as our now-adult daughters were classmates going through the WW-P schools. On School Board he oversaw tremendous growth and was effectively able to manage that growth with his vision and leadership. Under Hemant’s direction WW-P maintained its high standards and reputation through a very challenging decade.
Hemant had the foresight as board president to support the privately funded installation of lights at both high school football fields, with a lasting benefit for community spirit evidenced every year by the large, enthusiastic turnout for events such as the annual North-South football game played under the Friday night lights, and other sporting events. As a current member of Council, Hemant displays those same leadership skills on issues that directly affect the township quality of life.
We have known Virginia for almost as long as we have known Hemant. Virginia is a long time township resident, and her children attend school in WW-P. She is a member and dedicated volunteer in many community activities such as Boy Scout Troop 66 Committee.
Gerald experienced firsthand the rampant development of Hoboken, and moved with his young family to West Windsor in search of a quieter life. We have had the pleasure of meeting Gerald recently and came away very impressed with his knowledge of local issues, his commitment to service, and the fresh perspective he brings about what makes West Windsor so attractive to families and individuals.
For residents who have lived here for any period of time, it may be hard to believe that one of the biggest challenges still facing the township, even after the tremendous growth of the past 20 years, is more growth! Council members are directly involved in how that growth is managed. There are many stakeholders in the process who are affected by the decisions made by Council. Those decisions directly affect direction and agreements reached between Council and developers. Hemant, Virginia, and Gerald have the requisite experience, vision, and leadership to make the correct choices.
Michael and Mary Meduski
West Windsor
All reasonable people will agree that politics at both the federal and state level are a mess. Senator Linda Greenstein, in her endorsement of the Borek team (The News, October 9), demonstrates what’s wrong with politics today. It is mindboggling that she will call the Borek ticket a better team for West Windsor, knowing his opponent Hemant Marathe served in an exemplary capacity as president of the WW-P school board. At one point Greenstein served on the same board.
If you compare Marathe’s record on school board with Borek’s record on town council there is no contest. Marathe took a dysfunctional school board and demonstrated how people with different views can work together. Hemant managed explosive growth of the school district while improving the quality of education and keeping taxes in control.
Borek, on the other hand, voted for transit village development and 800 homes, after promising the voters he would not support any large residential development in West Windsor.
This is not the first time Greenstein has interfered with West Windsor elections. Last year she endorsed candidates even in a West Windsor school board debate even though everyone running was her supporter. It’s a shame that she would sell her endorsement without knowing the issues or studying the candidates.
So the question is: Do we vote for someone because of who he knows, or because of what he stands for?
The voters of West Windsor have an excellent opportunity to send a loud and clear message that we elect leaders who will truly represent our interests. We are not interested in electing someone who will take his orders from Trenton.
Meghana Tawde
I am a retired Community Middle School IRLA teacher who had the distinct privilege of teaching one of Hemant Marathe’s daughters in sixth grade. I also had the distinct pleasure of knowing Marathe as a wonderful dad and supportive parent. I hope that my perspective of him in these unique personal roles, not to mention his outstanding public service record, will provide further endorsement of him as a prospective council member.
I have a cherished memory of a back-to-school evening where he sat in the front row in my classroom smiling and shaking his head in support of every point I made. back-to-school nights can be a bit nerve-wracking for even a veteran teacher, but his demeanor put me at ease and made me feel like we were partners in the educational process. What a wonderful way for a teacher to start the school year!
In my long tenure in the WW-P community I have never heard anything but glowing comments about Marathe, as a professional, family man, a father, a board president, and a community member. I certainly hope that the WW-P community will recognize what a treasure exists in their midst.
Carole M. Cheek, Ph.D
At the council debate one of the candidates suggested we judge them by their records rather than by their words, so I decided to do some investigating.
George Borek said he doesn’t want to see residential development on the 658-acre Howard Hughes property. But he said the same thing about the train station redevelopment. He ran on a campaign promise of “No 1,000 Homes” eight years ago, and then changed his tune after being elected. He sided with the developer in council meetings and then voted for 800 homes after being endorsed by the developer. With an estimated 5,000 homes at stake on the Howard Hughes site, I don’t trust him to keep his word. Actions speak louder than words.
On the other hand, Hemant Marathe has a long history of supporting the schools. He managed the district through one of its largest growth periods. He knows how devastating a huge development can be, and he is against residential development on the Howard Hughes property. His record proves it.
Virginia Manzari stepped up during the transit village discussions to share an analysis she had done. She has consistently spoken out against huge, high-density developments and the effects they would have on our schools.
Gerald Halloran moved here to escape the many negative effects that overdevelopment had on his last residence in Hoboken, where kids at the park had to wait in line to use the swing set! With a four-year-old son, Gerald will make West Windsor his home for many years to come, and he will fight to protect our community as well.
After examining the candidates’ records, the answer is clear. Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran will protect us from unchecked development.
Bharat Damle
I have lived in West Windsor for close to 30 years and I have seen this town go through many changes, some positive and some not. What is clear to me is that Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran bring a comprehensive group of leadership skills that is desperately needed at this time in the township’s history. We need people with strong skills who can manage our budget effectively and who understand how larger issues affect our school system.
I am equally disheartened to read that our representatives from Trenton wrote to endorse Miller, Borek, and Hamilton, without so much as giving their constituents the courtesy of a comprehensive review of all the candidates. With all due respect, if I am not mistaken, the good senators enjoy the support they receive from our voting district; yet, they are clearly sticking their noses where they do not belong.
You only have to live, work, or shop in West Windsor to know that it is common knowledge that the Democrats believe they will win solely because they will get the Democratic vote, not because people are actually listening and voting the issues. I am a proud Democrat and I will be voting Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran because this is the leadership needed in West Windsor.
Richard Jasaitis
I was surprised when, during the Council debate, George Borek said “none of us sitting on the dais wants to raise our own taxes.” In the eight years he’s been on council, Borek has voted to raise our taxes six times. And this year he didn’t even show up for the budget vote at all!
And West Windsor newcomer Ayesha Hamilton’s lack of understanding of financial matters during the debate was disconcerting. She mentioned several times that she would raise taxes in order to keep the fund balance high. Financial experts will tell you that we don’t need an excessively high fund balance to preserve financial flexibility and maintain our AAA bond rating.
Our township’s financial strength comes from the fact that high wage earners and businesses are attracted to the fundamental assets of our community, including top-rated schools and easy access to transportation. Taxes should be raised only as a last resort to support essential services and operations for our community,not to maintain fund balances at arbitrarily high levels. Hijacking residents’ money simply isn’t necessary.
Bottom line: if you want higher taxes, you know who to vote for.
For me, I’m supporting Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran. They have the financial experience required to successfully lead our town without breaking the bank.
Yogesh Kher
West Windsor
After watching the council debate on TV, one thing struck me. The team of Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran spoke about specific issues that are affecting certain neighborhoods in West Windsor, like Cranbury Road, Old Trenton Road, South Post Road, etc. The Borek team was silent on specific issues and talked in generalities. For their silence they were rewarded with an endorsement from state senators. I am sure they will send home flyers touting this endorsement from Trenton career politicians.
As a West Windsor voter you should ask yourself whether you want your council members to represent you or simply bow to the wishes of Trenton politicians. It is sad that Mercer County Park can host a beer fest with loud music on the weekend blasting South Post Road residents, and George Borek can’t ask the county executive or freeholders any questions because he owes his election to their endorsement.
If you live along Cranbury Road or Old Trenton Road, do you want Borek to remain silent while the county and neighboring municipalities destroy your quality of life with traffic headaches?
Join me in sending Trenton politicians a clear message: West Windsor council seats are for those who want to represent West Windsor residents. The Marathe, Manzari, and Halloran team has demonstrated that they will protect your interests.
Alok Sharma
Davenport Drive, West Windsor
I volunteered to work on the Your Voice, Our Commitment campaign. Even though there are plenty of other claims on our time, I believe local government is important in ways we don’t usually think about until something goes wrong. We’re fortunate in West Windsor because good and competent people are willing to step up to do a time-consuming and sometimes thankless job. It’s important to support them.
I know these candidates to be smart and generous people. They have the ability to push hard for what they believe but at the same time show respect to those with whom they disagree. Anyone who has observed our school board for many years has seen Hemant’s deft hand at work. Virginia’s high-octane pursuit of a goal is tempered only by her natural kindness, as many of us know. And Gerald’s self-effacing sense of humor is quick to defuse a tense situation. These characteristics usually don’t come through in newspaper interviews, but they often inform the decisions of voters.
Hemant, Virginia, and Gerald create a portfolio of skills that will be important to the township as we confront difficult challenges. We shouldn’t underestimate the potential impact of new development. We need council members who are financially savvy, who understand how to handle large corporate interests, and who are willing to stand up for residents. Also, this is clearly not a partisan issue, so we can’t afford a partisan response. Those who represent us on council must be strictly independent of outside political influence if we want an outcome that’s in our town’s best interest.
Local government isn’t as flashy as big-time politics, so sometimes it’s hard to get excited about voting in an “off-year” election. But self-government at every level is more than just a civic responsibility, it’s a privilege.
Kathy Bybee
Springhill Drive, West Windsor
I was very disappointed to read Alison Miller’s comments in the Princeton Packet. When asked what one new initiative she would undertake if elected to Council, she expressed her desire to install four acres of solar panels on the farmland next to the municipal center.
Did she not learn anything from the solar field travesty that the residents of South Post Road are faced with every day? Do we want four acres of solar panels on Clarksville Road, ripping up our farmland? I haven’t met a single person who likes the solar panels at Mercer County Community College. Some have said it makes them want to cry.
There is a place for solar, and there are technical and creative ways to install it, but it surely isn’t by destroying our open space.
I’ve heard plenty of residents say they’d like a downtown area or a place to gather and meet with neighbors. I have yet to find one who yearns for a solar power plant in the middle of town. Miller has served township well in various capacities over the past 20 years. After hearing her number one priority is installing solar panels right next to Clarksville Road, I want to thank her for her service and vote for the Marathe, Manzari, Halloran ticket. They will keep open space for the purpose it’s intended for.
Jennifer Peterson
West Windsor
