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October 2020 www.readingtonnews.com
Readington News A Community Newspaper
Serving All of Readington Township, NJ
Four Vie for Two Township Committee Seats in General Election Four candidates are seeking two three-year terms on the Readington Township Committee in the Nov. 3 General Election. Republican candidates are incumbents John Albanese and Mayor Jonathan Heller, and Democrats are Rene Rao and Alan Harwick. The campaign page for Albanese and Heller on Facebook ( https:// www.facebook.com/AlbaneseandHellerforReadington/) states, “Since 2018 they have resolved the Solberg Eminent Domain case thereby reducing Readington’s debt by $18 million (over 30%), reduced Readington’s immediate, court mandated Affordable Housing obligation by 58%, preserved over 200 acres of land in the last 2+ years with little to no cost to the Readington taxpayer, completely remodeled the Township website, instituted full page news from the Municipal Building in The Readington News each month, funded and completed a walking path and new basketball courts at Summer Road Park, established a program where qualifying emergency service volunteers received 50% discounts on Readington Recreation programs, worked toward a positive court decision for the Township in the decade long sewer allocation case, completed road improvements on 30% of municipal roads including all of Lake Cushetunk Woods, School, Harlan School and Holland Brook Roads. Goals for the next three years include: “Execute a settlement with Fair Share Housing and NJ Superior Court for Readington’s Affordable Housing Obligations, continue Readington’s stated Open Space and Farmland Preservation goals as per the Township’s Master Plan, continuing to lower Readington’s debt levels, work with the Readington Police Department and Emergency Services to provide high quality services to the community, update zoning along the Route 22 corridor to better enable a vibrant business environment, continue to support environmental measures to protect air and water quality in Readington, and defend Readington’s existing zoning and ordinances as necessary.”
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Readington residents deserve a township committee that works for them. Your committee members should listen to and represent you. As your committee member I would commit to holding frequent town halls and community coffees where residents and business owners can come and have their voices heard long before the committee votes. We need a fiscally responsible township committee that will revitalize the business district and help reduce the tax burden on residents. We also need a committee that will carefully reexamine Readington’s Master Plan to ensure it protects vulnerable wetlands, guards against flooding, and provides accessible recreational space for all of our residents. I love Readington’s safe and welcoming small town feel and I am committed to helping it remain that way for all of Readington’s residents.” Alan Harwick: “I moved to Readington in 2013, having fallen for the quaint charms of Old Highway 28 and the Township’s bucolic fields and farms. In 2014, I was happy to be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, where I continue to serve as Vice-Chair. I have also served on the Planning Board from 2016 through 2019 and the Zoning Board of Adjustment from 2015 through 2019, also serving as Vice Chair. From these volunteer experiences, I have gained a
wealth of knowledge of the current Township Committee’s priorities. I am running this year because I believe there needs to be a change in direction in Readington regarding the Township’s goals and expenditures. As an attorney, I am aware of the high cost of litigation in general. As a Readington taxpayer, I have followed with concern, the numerous lawsuits Readington has been a participant in, and I believe the current Township Committee has wasted millions of dollars on unsuccessful legal actions. When I am elected to the Readington Township Committee, I will work tirelessly to negotiate solutions to Readington’s costly legal battles. I will use my years of experience to reduce the section of the Township’s budget allocated to legal fees. As a municipality, we are paying 3-5 times the litigation budget of other Hunterdon County municipalities.” Voting information for this Presidential Election is available on the Hunterdon County elections page at http://www.co.hunterdon. nj.us/elctindx.htm. Contact Hunterdon County Clerk Mary Melfi at 908-788-1214 or countyclerk@ co.hunterdon.nj.us with any voting questions.
Readington News John Albanese
Rene Rao
A Community Newspaper
Serving All of Readington Township, NJ
Jonathan Heller
Alan Harwick
A 30-year Readington resident, John Albanese is a graduate of Readington Township School & HCRHS, former Vice Chair of Readington Township Planning Board, member of the Readington Township Board of Education Core Leadership Team, 2019-2020, former State Senate Legislative Aide, former Vice Chair Republican County Committee, former contributor for Citizens for Readington, 20+ year telecommunications professional, youth sports coach and volunteer, and the proud husband and father of two children in Readington public schools. A 25-year Readington resident, Jonathan Heller is a former member Readington Board of Adjustments, Readington Environmental Commission, Readington Open Space Advisory Board - Shade Tree Subcommittee, Deer Hunting Subcommittee, founder of the Readington Tree Giveaway program, 13 year Boy Scout leader in Three Bridges - Den Leader, Assistant Cub Master Pack 182, Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master Troop 186, Readington representative for Eagle
Scout projects, Raritan Headwaters Association volunteer and Citizen Scientist, Readington Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee, Readington Trail maintenance volunteer, and proud husband and father of two children. Democratic candidate statements are posted on https://www.raoandharwick.com/ and updated information is available at https://www.facebook. com/RaoAndHarwick/. Rene Rao: “I have lived in Readington for over 22 years. I was an active volunteer in Readington’s schools for about 12 years. Since 2014, I have volunteered with Readington Museums, reenacting for school field trips and designing and tending the colonial garden. In addition, I have been a member of the museum’s board for the last four years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been instrumental in the Readington Democrats Give Back Program, collecting and donating food and money for The Whitehouse Rescue Squad and the Flemington Area Food Pantry, as well as collecting and delivering donations for Hunterdon Health Care workers.
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