Hoping to retain control of the East Windsor Township Council, four incumbent Township Council members – all Democrats – outlined why they are running for re-election and why voters should choose them over their Republican Party challengers.
Township Council members Tony Katawick, Marc Lippman, Janice Mironov and John Zoller are each seeking another four-year term in the Nov. 7 general election.
The foursome are running as a team led by Mironov. She has served in the ceremonial post of mayor for 28 years. The mayor is chosen from among the seven Township Council members for a one-year term.
All seven East Windsor Township Council members are Democrats.
Katawick was appointed to fill the remainder of former Township Councilman Peter Yeager’s term, after Yeager resigned earlier this year.
Katawick said he believes his work on the Township Council has just begun.
Asked about the most important issue facing the township, Katawick said there are many issues to be dealt with. It is not possible to single out one issue.
“The issues that need to be addressed are the issues that impact the quality of life and affordability for our residents,” he said.
“As a fiscally responsible Council, we will continue to upgrade the roadways, improve our parks and playgrounds, continue with uninterrupted municipal services and listen to the residents’ input on what is most important to them,” he said.
Katawick pointed to his record for leadership and guidance, including his volunteer service as a member of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1. He served on the township’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
“I have the ability to lead people from many different backgrounds and to evaluate situations and determine the proper course of action,” he said.
“I understand that the whole is truly the sum of the parts, and I stand proud on my past history of living and working in East Windsor Township,” Katawick said.
Lippman, who is seeking his eighth term on Township Council, said he is running for re-election because he is proud of what the governing body has accomplished.
“I want to keep making a difference by getting things done, and to keep improving the quality of life for our residents. It never gets old,” he said of his service on Township Council.
Lippman said the Township Council is proud of its record of keeping the municipal property tax rate flat for 11 years without sacrificing municipal services. A property owner’s tax bill consists of municipal, school district and county taxes.
The East Windsor Township Council has been able to improve its parks and also preserve farmland, which has been accomplished through grants. It has also partnered with neighboring towns for open space, he said.
“Our mayor, myself and Township Council have the fiscal experience, the operational know-how and the problem-solving ability to make East Windsor a great place to live and raise a family,” he said.
“Our record and caring speaks for itself. I am excited about continuing to work hard and making all of our residents proud of the community we live in,” Lippman said.
Mironov, who is seeking her eighth term on Township Council, said she and her running mates have many goals and programs in progress and they want to continue building on them.
“We have an accomplished and proud record of governing and building community through being responsive, communicative, outreaching and accessible,” she said.
The township has been successful in obtaining grants and donations to pay for programs and equipment. The township recently was awarded $1.3 million in state grants for parks and recreation, and almost $2 million for road projects, she said.
Mironov said one of the many issues facing East Windsor Township is planning and balancing various development types and pressures and the impacts on the community, while also maintaining open space and farmland.
“The township has worked to diversify our business base with pharma and high tech companies, corporate centers, distribution facilities, offices, medical facilities, stores and restaurants, providing tax dollars, shopping and jobs in a way to best serve our residents,” she said.
East Windsor Township needs to continue to be “hands on” in dealing directly with potential development projects, she said. It has been proactive in updating the town’s Master Plan and zoning regulations to help navigate some of those challenges.
Mironov pointed to her extensive municipal and governmental experience, explaining why she should be re-elected.
Mironov serves on the Planning Board and East Windsor Green Space board. She is the Township Council’s liaison to the Economic Development Committee and the Clean Communities Advisory Committee.
She is a member of several statewide boards and committees. She is the immediate past president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and a past president of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Her involvement in those groups has allowed her to develop relationships and networking opportunities which assist in advocating for grants and policy changes to benefit East Windsor Township, Mironov said.
Mironov said she has a particular passion and gains personal enjoyment in supporting and involving young people in municipal government and in the community.
“I hope I have been able to earn the trust and support of our community as a caring, proactive and effective leader,” Mironov said.
Zoller is seeking his fourth term on Township Council.
Zoller said he enjoys making a positive contribution to the welfare and livelihood of township residents, and that’s why he is seeking re-election.
He said he values his colleagues on Township Council and the organization as led by Mironov. Working as a team, they strive to achieve realistic goals for the good of the township.
“My running mates and I are the best choice for East Windsor Township,” Zoller said.
One of the more pressing issues facing the township is the impact of increased traffic on local and regional infrastructure, he said.
The local roads are maintained through grants that have been awarded to the township by Mercer County and New Jersey, Zoller said.
The township’s municipal land use laws guide the township in implementing the regulations needed for controlled growth and optimal land use to serve and protect the residents, he said.
Making the case for his re-election, Zoller said he has served on Township Council for 12 years and has developed the skills needed to solve problems.
Zoller pointed to his combined four years of serving on the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He continues to serve on the Planning Board, in addition to the Environmental Commission and the Green Team.
Zoller said that he recently completed a professional career in manufacturing management, which helped him to develop strong managerial skills.
