Politics & Government
VIDEO: Carpenter Says Fiscal Management is Key
Committeeman seeks third term, cites financial policies that have kept municipal portion of tax rate down and will result in a debt-free twp. budget by November.
Four candidates—two Democratic challengers and two Republican incumbents—will run for Township Committee on Nov. 8. They appeared on Wednesday at a candidate's night forum at Ridge High School.
All of the candidates attended, including GOP candidates John Carpenter and Mary Pavlini, who already have been on the all-Republican Township Committee since 2005. Also on stage were their Democratic challengers, Bonnie Diehl and Michael Komondy.
The public forum, which included questions from the audience, was hosted jointly by the League of Women Voters of Somerset Hills and Ridge Empowerment for Political Participation, a student club at Ridge High School.
The Candidate Forum was set up to allow the four Township Committee candidates to present opening statements, answer questions from the audience, and then to present closing statements, Ridge student Alex Liao, a representative for the REPP, said beforehand.
Over four days, the Basking Ridge Patch will present videos of the opening and closing statements by the candidates, in reverse alphabetical order.
On Friday, Patch presented Deputy Mayor Mary Pavlini, also former mayor, who has served two terms on the all-Republican Township Committee. Click here to see the video.
On Saturday, Patch presented Michael Komondy, Democratic challenger, and a former volunteer member of the Basking Ridge Fire Co. and Rescue Squad.
On Sunday, Patch presented Bonnie Diehl, a Democratic challenger, who also ran last year.
On Monday, Patch presents a fourth candidates' video. Republican Township Committeeman John Carpenter, also former mayor and deputy mayor, has served two terms on the Township Committee.
After the forum, the audience was able to informally speak with the candidates. The forum was moderated by Ann Armstrong of Branchburg, Treasurer of the statewide N.J. League of Women Voters.
The candidates were arranged to speak in alphabetical order on such diverse topics as taxes, historic preservation, lot coverage, environmental initiatives, governmental opennness, local business, state aid for local schools and more.
Stories will also be posted exploring the candidates' positions on the issues as the election approaches.
