BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards’ primary election on June 6 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee.
Lily Wong is one of two Democratic candidates running in the uncontested primary. McCarthy is running with Ana Duarte McCarthy.
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Additionally, there are two Republican candidates Tyler Seville and Gary Baumann also running in the uncontested primary.
All of the candidates are running for the two, three-year seats on the township committee.
Are you running for office in Basking Ridge? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at [email protected] for information on being featured in a candidate’s profile and submitting campaign announcements to Basking Ridge Patch.
Lily Wong
Age: 51
Town of residence: Bernards Township
Position sought: Bernards Township Committee
Party affiliation: Democratic
Family: Husband Jeff Lee, Children – Alison Lee (21), Adam Lee (19), Anderson Lee (15)
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- Master in Business Administration, Harvard Business School, Harvard University
- Certificate in TESOL, Teachers College, Columbia University
Occupation:
- Program Director of a summer enrichment program for children ages 5-14 focused on STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
Previous or current elected appointed office:
- First time running for elected office
- Bernards Township Municipal Alliance – appointed in 2023
Campaign website: btdems.org/mccarthywong
Why are you seeking election to the Township Committee?
- Good relationships and a sense of community are important factors to a person’s health and happiness. My family and I moved here during the pandemic and it was an isolating and lonely experience at first. We found a sense of community by going door-to-door introducing ourselves to our neighbors and by playing pickleball and badminton at PVP and WAMS. Our Township can create more opportunities for residents to meet each other, develop relationships and connect over a common interest or purpose. Our Township can also facilitate better communication of all the activities already happening.
- I believe in a representative government. Currently all members of the Township Committee are part of the same political party. As an entrepreneur and a team leader, I see a tremendous value in having diverse expertise and opinions leading to better solutions.
- I started working at the age of 12 as a cashier at my father’s small business. I’ve had a long career spanning accounting, finance, strategy, business development and management. I hope to apply my experiences and skills to serve our community.
Balancing the township budget becomes more difficult each year with inflation and the loss of revenue since COVID. How do you plan to address this?
- Our township administrators have been diligent at keeping costs down, operating within their means and not taking on debt, but there is a big problem looming ahead. It is getting harder and harder to recruit and retain talent due to budgetary constraints and rising inflation.
- I believe a fresh perspective can assist in exploring new revenue generating opportunities and more efficient ways to accomplish our goals.
Having trust and transparency in the township government is important to residents. How has the township improved on this or how would you improve this?
- Listening to our fellow residents is crucial to understanding their needs. Ana and I have been on a “listening tour” and have already heard some ideas and concerns that warrant further exploration like EV charging stations and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public parks.
- Ana and I are committed to having regular “office hours” so our doors are consistently open.
- The Township Committee eliminated the public’s opportunity to make a second comment last year. This stifles political discourse, dissent, and progress. As a member of the Township Committee, I would encourage more engagement by the public.
What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the township?
- Safety – The safety and well-being of our residents is paramount to the Township Committee’s responsibilities. There are a number of issues that concern me. First, I would like to assess whether the emergency response times are within an acceptable range given the dissolution of the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad. Second, I adamantly oppose the current application of Signature Acquisition to convert the current office building at 150 Allen Road to an expanded light manufacturing facility with 24 truck bays. The traffic of so many tractor trailers driving through our residential neighborhoods poses a higher safety risk. Third, I want to assess how we can strategically add sidewalks and bike paths to ensure safe access for non-drivers in our community.
- Revitalization of our local business economy – Our Township can introduce events and programs, such as a Farmers Market, Restaurant Week, Sidewalk Sales, Ladies Night, and Design Week to increase awareness of our local businesses.
- Community and Communications – There are many wonderful organizations in our Township that offer services and activities, however communication with our residents has not been suboptimal. The Township can do better at shining a light on these organizations’ efforts and enable more connections in the community.
What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?
- Ana and I have reached a stage in our lives where we have more time to dedicate to this important and worthwhile role, including talking to residents, working with the administrators, researching how other municipalities tackle challenges and developing new initiatives.
- Prior to moving here, I used to live in Summit for 14 years, New York City for 16 years and Horsham, PA for 10 years. I have seen how other municipalities and cities have managed their budget and services and bring a fresh perspective to the table.
What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?
- I find joy and satisfaction in serving my community. In high school, I was an active member and eventual leader of Key Club, a community service organization. In college, I was a tutor. In my twenties, I helped immigrants pass their citizenship test. When my kids were in school, I volunteered as class mom, cohort leader and officer of the PTO. For the last 15 years, I interviewed high school seniors for my alma mater. I feel incredibly blessed, and running for Township Committee is another way that I can give back and contribute to our town.