I ask for your support in the township council election of Nov. 6. I am the only candidate with demonstrated experience on the township council. I have been a councilwoman since June 2017 and have voted on critical issues such as the township budget, affordable housing, road improvements, open space and school safety. My priority has been and will continue to be serving residents in a non-partisan fashion.
Community service has always been a meaningful part of my life. Be it the American Red Cross or the PTA, the West Windsor Zoning Board or the Township Council, it gives me considerable satisfaction to give back to the wonderful community that my family and I are a part of. Being on the Zoning Board prior to Township Council, I have developed enormous respect for all my volunteer colleagues who put in a great amount of time and effort researching and debating facts to get to the crux of vital issues.
Our kids need to see the importance of giving back from the adults in their lives. Having three young kids in WW-P schools, I am a proud role model for them in the way I serve my township. Additionally, an undergraduate degree in economics, an MBA degree and subsequent work experience in business development and market research has equipped me with business and analytical skills that I can leverage to do the job of a council member and do it well.
In an atmosphere of divisive national and state political events, I think there is a critical need for people to commit to work together in a non-partisan fashion. When I walk door-to-door campaigning, I hear people’s concerns about the condition of our roads, the increasing overdevelopment they see around town and the rising taxes.
As council members, we need to stay focused on these issues that directly impact the quality of life of West Windsor residents. To address these concerns as councilwoman, I voted to allocate almost $11 million in the capital budget towards improving township roads, sidewalks and bike lanes over the next 6 years.
Second, I worked closely with the administration to negotiate a favorable settlement with Fair Share Housing Center to minimize the number of new units required to satisfy our affordable housing requirement. Part of the obligation was deferred to reduce the impact on existing residents. With this settlement, we have also ensured that no housing will be built on the Howard Hughes tract.
During the budgeting season, I closely analyzed each line item to determine the appropriate level of spending and looked at projects from a cost-benefit standpoint. And I am working with a council colleague to streamline the budgeting process and help make it more transparent and collaborative. I also believe that establishing a financial committee comprised of township residents with financial and investment experience will bring a valuable industry perspective to the budgeting process.
Children’s health and safety is close to my heart and I spearheaded a vaping ordinance which is now in the final stages of promulgation. This will require West Windsor-based electronic cigarette retailers to buy a license in order to sell vaping devices, and restricts sales to those over the age of 21 thus making enforcement easier.
I am in favor of promoting smart programs that reduce disposable plastic use and increase recycling compliance in West Windsor. Our team including kids from WW-P schools, West Windsor Environmental Commission, Clean Water Action N.J. and concerned residents, ran a “rethink disposable” project at the Food Truck Fest held at the Princeton Junction Train Station where we persuaded food vendors and visitors to trade their disposable food containers for recyclable baskets. We were successful in switching 404 such containers, helping to keep them out of landfills. This is just another example of how I walk the talk.
Over the past 16 months I have demonstrated that I can work in a non partisan manner with other council members and the mayor for the betterment of West Windsor.
— Jyotika Bahree
Bahree is an incumbent running for the one-year unexpired term on West Windsor Council.
