Five candidates are seeking election to four seats on Lawrence Township Council in the Nov. 4 general election, although only one contest is contested.
Democratic incumbents Cathleen Lewis, Michael Powers and David Maffei are all runnning unopposed for three 4-year seats on council.
Democrat Chris Bobbitt and Republican Bob Bostock are running against each other for election to the remaining two years of the term of late Councilman Stephen Brame, who died on July 29 after a long battle with congestive heart failure.
The winner of that contest will be sworn in and begin serving later this month. Currently serving as interim councilman in Brame’s seat is Ian J. Dember, a local lawyer who was appointed by Council on Aug. 18. The winner of that special election will serve for the remainder of Brame’s term, which runs through 2017.
The Lawrence Gazette requested biographical information from all five candidates and posed a list of questions. Following are Bobbitt and Bostock’s answers, followed by the answers of the three incumbents, who are assured re-election barring the appearance of a successful write-in candidate.
Special election for seat through 2017
Name: Chris Bobbitt
Age: 45
Occupation and place of employment: Principal, Interurban Architecture
Education: AB in Urban Studies from Stanford University; Master of Architecture from University of California, Berkeley.
Years living in town: 11
Community involvement: Sustainable Lawrence, 2007‐present (vice president 2010‐2012); Eggerts Crossing Civic League, 2015‐present; Lawrence Township Growth & Redevelopment Committee, 2005‐present (chairman 2007‐Present); Lawrence Township Planning Board, 2012‐present.
Why are you running for election/re‐election to Lawrence Township Council?
I am running for election to Council with the belief that I can bring a new and valuable perspective to Council using my architectural background. Listening to the client’s program requirements, developing a vision for a project, staying within a budget and communicating and coordinating with a variety of stakeholders are architectural skills that I believe will help me be a successful member of Council.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing Lawrence Township?
The demographic changes of the Millennial Generation (those born between 1980 and 2000) and the Baby Boomers. As both grow older, both are desiring more walkable neighborhoods and shopping districts. As a town, we need to keep an eye on future trends so that we are prepared. Of course, the problems at the state level in terms of pension funding, transportation, and economic development will have an impact on the town as well.
The Fair Share Housing Center is arguing in court that Lawrence needs to provide for 1,000 units of affordable housing. Do you think that town has adequately provided and planned for affordable housing?
Yes, I believe that the town has more than adequately provided and planned for affordable housing. Lawrence has consistently been one of the earliest municipalities in the state to receive certification of our affordable housing obligations (1st round in Oct. 1987, 2nd round in Dec. 1996, and 3rd round in Apr. 2009). Unfortunately, Gov. Christie’s desire to neuter the state board tasked with enforcing the Fair Housing Act forced the State Supreme Court to rule that the courts would now be in charge of the allocation of affordable housing. I and my colleagues on the Planning Board are continuing to keep watch on the latest rulings and how they will affect our community.
Bristol‐Myers Squibb’s new 650,000‐square‐foot office building was a boost for commercial ratables in town. How do you think Lawrence can further improve its ratable base?
As a member of the Planning Board I have approved many of the new projects in town that have or will boost our ratable base. Besides the Bristol‐Myers Squibb project, I have heard and approved the new Costco development on Quakerbridge Road, the expansion of the Toyota dealership on US‐1, and the new Starbucks in the Village. As chairman of the Growth & Redevelopment Committee, I am familiar with the smaller local business community as well. I feel strongly that we need to help strengthen our neighborhood business districts including the Lawrence Shopping Center to have a strong, balanced ratable base.
What are your opinions of the township’s budget? Are there any areas where you would like to see expenditures cut? Are there any programs you would like to see the township spend more on?
Having come through the difficult times of a few years ago, I believe that the township’s budget is a well thought out one. Those lean times forced some difficult decisions to be made including work force reductions. Thankfully those decisions along with our tireless efforts at attracting new ratables have lead us to a strong position today where the municipal tax rate is unchanged and there are no planned work force reductions for the 2015 budget. Many of the people I have spoken with are very happy with the work that township does to keep us safe, the roads plowed, the parks maintained, and the senior center and summer camps running. While remaining vigilant about our expenditures and looking for efficiencies, I would hesitate to change the balance that we currently have in the budget simply to make a change for change’s sake.
Name: Bob Bostock
Age: 57
Occupation and place of employment: Deputy director of communications, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection.
Education: BA in History, MA in International Affairs, both from Drew University.
Years living in town: 20-plus
Community involvement: Councilman from 2008 to 2011; Former member Lawrence Township Education Foundation; senior warden, capital campaign chair, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Princeton.
1. Why are you running for election to Lawrence Township Council.
I have a proven record of getting things done during my previous time on council. I secured a grant to clean up the polluted preserved open space at the Dyson Farm. I negotiated the sale of the First Aid Squad’s building to the township for just one dollar (West Windsor recently had to pay their first aid squad $700,000 to buy their building). I helped hold the line on taxes by requiring township employees to pay part of the cost of their health insurance, and by reducing the proposed budget every year I was on council. I get things done.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing Lawrence Township?
Keeping our community an affordable place to live while providing the important services that local government is supposed to provide — such as public safety and maintaining our parks and roads — is the greatest challenge facing our township. We must also work hard to maintain the character of our town — a safe, close-knit community that we are proud to call home. Adding another perspective by putting an end to total one-party rule and making our local government more open and transparent is also a top priority of mine.
The Fair Share Housing Center is arguing in court that Lawrence needs to provide for 1,000 units of affordable housing. What is your opinion about the state of the township’s current affordable housing plan?
Council’s first priority must be to keep Lawrence Township affordable for the people who already live here. Lawrence Township has always met or exceeded its legally mandated share of affordable housing and should continue to do so. However, the suggestion by a special interest group that we should provide 1,000 new units of affordable housing is utterly excessive and completely unreasonable.
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s new 650,000-square-foot office building was a boost for commercial ratables in town. How do you think can Lawrence can further improve its ratable base?
Lawrence Township has failed to make our town a welcoming place for small businesses. A quick drive down Business Route 1 reveals dozens of empty storefronts and offices. I have talked to many small business owners who have told me how difficult it is to open a new small business in Lawrence. We need to remove the unnecessary and complex barriers our local code officials put in the way of small business owners. Big box stores, national chains, and massive office buildings provide tax revenue. But small businesses owned by our neighbors and friends provide a real sense of community.
What are your opinions of the township’s budget? Are there any areas where you would like to see expenditures cut? Are there any programs you would like to see the township spend more on?
The township’s budget must be carefully monitored to prevent unnecessary and wasteful spending — such as dropping $25,000 to make the council chambers bulletproof. When I was on council, every year when the manager would propose a budget for the coming year I would ask him to develop a list of what we would have to do to reduce the proposed spending and tax increases. When the council received that list, we always found things we could eliminate, cut back or make more efficient, thereby reducing spending and saving taxpayer dollars. It’s time to start exercising fiscal discipline again.
Regular election for three four-year seats
Name: Cathleen Lewis
Age: 36
Occupation and place of employment: Public affairs.
Education: BA in Political Science, Douglass College, Rutgers University.
Years living in town: 10-plus years
Community involvement: Lawrence Township Zoning Board; Eggerts Crossing Civic League, League of Women Voters; Devereux New Jersey; Women’s Political Caucus.
Why are you running for reelection to Lawrence Township Council?
I ran for my first time because I believed that residents needed a stronger connection to their community and the township. In my first term I spearheaded the curbside organics program and created a Town Hall Open House to make town hall more accessible to the residents. I’m running for reelection to continue to build those ties and to continue to responsive to the community.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing Lawrence Township?
Economic Development continues to be a big focus of the township. Even with over 1 million square feet in development, we still have more to do. I have been working on addressing the state liquor license laws to make them more accessible and affordable for small businesses. It’s an important piece of making downtowns more viable.
We also need to foster ties between these new businesses and the community; we need to help encourage people to Think Local, Shop Local and Live Local.
The Fair Share Housing Center is arguing in court that Lawrence needs to provide for 1,000 units of affordable housing. What is your opinion about the state of the township’s current affordable housing plan?
The town has meet our obligations at each and every turn, we continue fund affordable housing programs in the township even while the state has been unable to address this issue.
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s new 650,000-square-foot office building was a boost for commercial ratables in town. How do you think Lawrence can further improve its ratable base?
Lawrence is an attractive place for businesses to come, you can see that in the growth we’ve had over the last 2 years. There are lots of areas that have room for growth and we need to take a methodical approach to them, with the new development at Route 1 and Franklin Corner, the new Mrs Gs, and the Lawrence Shopping Center finally on the road to recovery I believe that Business Route 1 is ready for major growth. We need to harness that potential.
What are your opinions of the township’s budget? Are there any areas where you would like to see expenditures cut? Are there any programs you would like to see the township spend more on?
As a whole the budget is in good shape, we made it through some lean years and are finally seeing growth. I think that we can grow programs that directly impact the residents without growing the budget. We can create partnerships to expand offerings through Recreation and the Senior Center, we can expand the curbside organics program, we can find new ways to make this a stronger community.
Name: David C. Maffei
Age: 68
Occupation and place of employment: Chiropractic pysician, retired
Education: AA from Mercer County Community College; BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University; DC from New York Chiropractic College.
Years living in town: 56
Involvement in community organizations: Cofounder of Lawrence Reperatory Company; St. Ann’s Church; Lawrence Historical Society; Eggerts Crossing Civic League; League of Women Voters; Lawrence Main Street; Council liaison to the Senior Center, Lawrence Historical Preservation Society and Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Why are you running for reelection to Lawrence Township Council?
I am running for reelection because our council as it now stands, works very well together. We come to a common concensus and proceed to pass programs that enhance and develop out community. Public safety is a great concern in our community, and working with the police and fire departments to protect our citizens is one of the most important in my agenda. Continuing to work to see that our seniors are adequately provided for is another of my concerns, Being on council affords me teh opportunity to persue these points and to help develop new initiatives.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing Lawrence Township?
The most significant issues facing Lawrence Township are tax stability coupled with continuing to make our community an attractive location to start new enterprises. Council must work to introduce methods and ideas that would make a small businessman and a large corporation desire to reside and grow in our township. Lawrence is on its way to becoming one of the best at motivating all types of business due to our Rt. 1 corridor location and our two large mall projects. Some tax incentives might be introduced to help new enterprises expand, and our growing population can maintain an improving business climate.
The Fair Share Housing Center is arguing in court that Lawrence needs to provide for 1,000 units of affordable housing. What is your opinion about the state of the township’s current affordable housing plan?
Since COAH was established, Lawrence Township took a positive, responsible step to ensure that all procedures and ratios of affordable housing were maintained. Affordable housing was inclusive in all market development, never differenciating because of cost or personal involvement of our residents.
Lawrence was the first municipality to receive substantive certification of its housing plan for Round 3. Our township manager continues to pursue avenues for this plan. Currently, Lawrence Township owns 26 percent of its total land and there is not adequate property to construct 1,000 units. The township rehabilitates current affordable housing for new, qualified residents to occupy and begin their lives in Lawrence.
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s new 650,000-square-foot office building was a boost for commercial ratables in town. How do you think Lawrence can further improve its ratable base?
Lawrence Township needs to continue to encourage attracting business with their emphasis on being a community tht supports local business. The beauty of our neighborhoods and teh many volunteers who care for our public areas have encouraged many small business establishments to take a chance and start to grow roots in Lawrenceville. Our community Day gives all enterprises an opportunity to showcase their particular wares and meet potential new customers. Another idea is to maintain a stable tax rate for business to ensure that plans can be developed for future development without concern for higher taxes. This also includes nonprofits who want to locate their particular needs.
What are your opinions of the township’s budget? Are there any areas where you would like to see expenditures cut? Are there any programs you would like to see the township spend more on?
Our township budget is conceived by our business manager. It is presented to council and thoroughly discussed. All expenditures are necessary to promot teh progress of Lawrence Township. I feel the programs that are offered to our citizens are the best in Mercer County. The Recreation Departmennt continues to use their ingenuity to develop new programs for our youth. There are no programs I would dispense with without meeting with the different coordinators to determine if these programs could be saved or changed to remain a part of the township’s progress. As new families move into the community, we must be aware of the new needs of this particular part of our population.
As segment of the population is also aging, and we must be aware of the growing responsibility to provide adequate care to our seniors. Our Senior Center is outstanding in recognizing the diversity of the senior population, and council must be aware of this segment of our population. Our Senior Center distributes more than 1,400 meals per week to seniors from all over the county, many without any monetary payment. I am proud of our Senior Center, as I am of all of the programs in Lawrence Township. It should also be noted that Lawrence shares many services with neighboring townships to reduce costs to pur residents.
Name: Michael Powers
Age: 47
Occupation: Senior attorney, Buchanan Ingersoll in Princeton.
Education: Lawrence High School, 1986; BA in Political Science from Emory University; Juris Doctor from Catholic University of America.
Years in town: 40 years.
Community Involvement: Lawrence Knights of Columbus Council #7000; board member, Building One New Jersey; Eggerts Crossing Civic League; former chair, Lawrence Redevelopment Committee; former vice chair, Lawrence Planning Board; former vice chair Lawrence Zoning Board; council liaison to Human Relations Committee and Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
Why are you running for reelection to Lawrence Township Council?
Having grown up in Lawrence Township and attended Lawrence public schools (LHS Class of 1986), I care very deeply about our town and it’s future. Having served on Township Council since 2004, I have a strong understanding of the operations of municipal government and the issues faced by our township. I enjoy providing outstanding constituent services to Lawrence residents and look forward to continuing the initiatives I have started during my time on the governing body. One of my township initiatives to promote diversity (Diversity Day) led to my selection as “Mayor of the Year” by the New Jersey Regional Coalition in 2010.
What do you feel are the most significant issues facing Lawrence Township?
Keeping Lawrence an affordable place to live while maintaining the quality of municipal services residents have grown to expect remains a significant issue for the township. To that end, I have identified cost saving measures such as the use of the open space fund for park maintenance that has reduced municipal tax collection by millions of dollars. I also negotiated the first voluntary continuing payment obligation from the Lawrenceville Prep School to our municipality. By continuing to attract quality rateables (Costco, Mercer Mall expansion, Quaker Bridge Mall expansion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, etc.), the township can continue to keep municipal taxes stable for the foreseeable future (no municipal tax increase in 2015).
The Fair Share Housing Center is arguing in court that Lawrence needs to provide for 1,000 units of affordable housing. What is your opinion about the state of the township’s current affordable housing plan?
Lawrence Township has always been a leader in affordable housing dating back to the construction of Eggerts Crossing Village in the 1970’s. This commitment to affordable housing has continued during my time on the Council where we have carefully planned for and have always exceeded the number of COAH required units for our town. Lawrence currently has 957 affordable housing units (131 of which are rentals). Although these COAH requirements are no longer in place, there is simply no room to build new affordable housing in Lawrence where 26 percent of the land is already preserved as permanent open space that can never be developed. Therefore, I respectfully disagree with the position of the Fair Share Housing Center that Lawrence does not meet its affordable housing obligations.
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s new 650,000-square-foot office building was a boost for commercial ratables in town. How do you think Lawrence can further improve its ratable base?
The Bristol-Myers Squibb office expansion on Princeton Pike is just the latest example of a businesses committing to locate in Lawrence Township. This commitment by business does not happen by accident. Businesses want to locate in communities that are safe and Lawrence is one of them. In 2014, the township crime rate went down by 15 percent. The redevelopment plans that were initiated during my time as chair of the Township Growth & Redevelopment Committee and continuing today under Chris Bobbitt’s leadership are also bearing fruit all along the Rt. 1 corridor (Colonial Lanes; Auto Lenders; Mrs. G; Wawa; AAA Auto Center; etc.). We need to continue to be an advocate for new business and work with existing business in Lawrence to address their concerns.
What are your opinions of the township’s budget? Are there any areas where you would like to see expenditures cut? Are there any programs you would like to see the township spend more on?
The township budget touches our youngest residents through programs offered by the Recreation Department to our most senior residents through programs offered at the Senior Center on Darrah Lane. The budget is responsible for the resources that keeps are roads plowed in the winter and the removal of our trash. For several years now, Township Council has asked township employees to do more with less in order to keep municipal taxes stable as state municipal aid contributions to Lawrence Township have decreased or remained flat. I would not change any township programs without careful consideration which is done each year when the Council reviews the budget prepared by the township manager.
