Bedminster Republicans

TO THE EDITOR: As a proud Bedminster resident for over 20 years, I have continued admiration and appreciation for our town and the people who make up this great community. Understanding the rich history of this great town and looking toward the future and how important it is, I am announcing my full support and voting for Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez for Bedminster Township Committee on Nov. 4.

I have had the pleasure of knowing not only Bill but the entire Rosen family for over 18 years, as our daughters have been friends since entering Bedminster Elementary School together. Not only is Bill a great father and husband, he is also someone who really enjoys and appreciates being a Bedminster resident. Over the years I have the honor to work with Bill. Whether it was on the Bedminster Little League Board or coaching our girls in Bedminster Rec basketball, the passion and excitement he brought could be felt by all.

Bill is a selfless individual who is constantly looking to improve our town and is always giving back whether volunteering on the Recreation Committee or spending his Saturday mornings greeting people at the local farmers’ market. He embodies the type of person it takes to be on our Township Committee and no doubt will make this town even greater.

Like Bill, I have had the pleasure of knowing Gina Fernandez for almost the same length of time. Gina is always putting the needs and goals of others before herself. Gina has not only been a strong advocate but leader for all things Bedminster and made sure that everything she was involved she gave it her all and always put the community of Bedminster first.

As a candidate looking for re-election, Gina already knows and understands the needs of the community and will continue to work hard for the residents of this town. Her kindness, willingness and leadership to step up and provide her knowledge on a wide array of township matters makes her the ideal person to reelect and I support her fully.

Both Bill and Gina are not only outstanding citizens in this community but have the leadership qualities and understanding that are essential to keeping Bedminster the great town that it has been in the past and one that will continue to thrive in the future. We couldn’t have asked for two better candidates to team up together and help Bedminster win!

I encourage all my fellow residents of Bedminster to put their differences aside and vote for Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez this November, as your vote is a vote for the love and future of Bedminster.

GORDON S. WHITE

Oakura Lane
Bedminster

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

BEDMINSTER TWP. – Fiscal responsibility and bonding the community are in the sights of Republican Township Committee candidate Bill Rosen of Thistle Lane and running mate incumbent Gina Fernandez of Deer Haven Road.

The pair are being contested by Democrats Caroline Carpenter of Crestmont Road and Jean Johnson of Pluckemin Court.

Republican Township Committeeman Doug Stevinson resigned from the dais earlier this month for undisclosed reasons.

The following candidates’ comments are in response to a questionnaire sent to them by this newspaper.

Gina Fernandez

Fernandez said she is seeking re-election “so that I can continue to serve the residents of Bedminster with the same dedication and integrity that I have brought to my first two terms.

“This would be my third term on the Township Committee, and I remain deeply committed to maintaining the exceptional quality of life that makes our town so special. Over the past several years, I have developed strong working relationships with our department heads, local organizations, and residents, and I want to continue building on that progress. Public service is both an honor and a responsibility, and I believe my experience, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership will continue to benefit our community.”

Asked what she saw as important issues, Fernandez said, “Like many communities across New Jersey, Bedminster faces ongoing challenges related to affordable housing and the rising cost of living. Fortunately, we have a strong track record of proactive planning that allows us to meet our affordable-housing obligations responsibly and without placing undue burden on our taxpayers.

“In addition, inflation and increasing salary and insurance costs continue to put pressure on municipal budgets statewide. If re-elected, I will remain focused on managing Bedminster’s budget efficiently, ensuring that we continue to deliver the high-quality services our residents expect—police, public works, recreation, and administration—while maintaining one of the lowest municipal tax rates in Somerset County. Responsible fiscal management and long-term planning are key to preserving both our financial stability and our small-town character.”

Fernandez also noted her accomplishments to date on the dais.

“As the Human Resources Liaison, I have personally interviewed and filled over 16 key municipal vacancies, ensuring that each department is staffed with capable professionals who reflect our community’s values and commitment to excellence,” she said. “This work has been vital to maintaining smooth day-to-day operations and ensuring that our residents receive seamless services without interruption.

“During my first term, which began in the midst of the pandemic, I helped organize community initiatives such as blood drives, food-pantry partnerships, and free dump days that supported our residents during a challenging time. I also helped bring back our beloved Fall Fest, strengthening community spirit and engagement.

“Currently, as the Recreation Liaison, I am proud to be working on several new projects, including the creation of a community garden and the development of a dog park at Burnt Mills. Going forward, I would like to continue championing projects that enhance community connection, promote wellness, and preserve the charm and vitality of Bedminster.”

Fernandez said that she strongly believes the township “does a strong job keeping our residents informed and connected.

“We have made great strides in recent years to improve communication and transparency. Every household receives a township newsletter with each tax bill, summarizing key updates, upcoming projects, and community resources. In addition, our RAVE alert system allows residents to subscribe to real-time updates about important township information—ranging from weather alerts to community events.

“That said, communication is always evolving. In today’s world, many residents are accustomed to information coming directly to them rather than seeking it out, so we will continue to explore new ways to engage—whether through expanded digital platforms, community meetings, or social media—to ensure every resident feels informed and connected.”

She said she also takes pride that the township continues to hold down costs passed to taxpayers.

“Bedminster has long been recognized for its responsible fiscal management, and that is something I am very proud of,” she said.

“We actively participate in shared services with neighboring towns whenever possible to reduce costs and increase efficiency. In addition, our Township Committee takes a hands-on approach to the budgeting process—reviewing each department’s line items, meeting regularly for months to make adjustments, and carefully monitoring every expenditure.

“As a result, we have been able to maintain one of the lowest municipal tax rates in Somerset County while continuing to deliver high-quality services and maintain the exceptional quality of life our residents expect. I believe we do an outstanding job holding costs down, and I will continue to advocate for efficiency, accountability, and long-term financial stability.”

Fernandez said she is also pleased the township is doing its best to keep residents safe.

“Bedminster continues to place a strong emphasis on public safety and community collaboration. The Safety Committee has been a wonderful addition, providing an avenue for partnership with neighboring municipalities and helping us stay proactive in addressing regional safety concerns,” she said.

“Beyond that, we have also formed smaller, community-based subcommittees that focus on localized issues, such as speeding on certain roads, enhanced police presence in specific areas, and other quality-of-life concerns raised by residents. These groups work closely with the Police Department, Township Engineer, and municipal staff to find practical, community-driven solutions.

“Safety is not a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing partnership between our residents, our police, and our governing body. We remain deeply committed to maintaining Bedminster as a safe, peaceful, and welcoming place to live.”

Summing everything up, Fernandez said that “It has been a true honor to serve the residents of Bedminster for the past 6 years. Our community is defined by its strong sense of neighborliness, civic engagement, and pride in where we live. I am proud of the progress we’ve made together—whether through responsible budgeting, improved communication, community events, or thoughtful planning for the future.

“As we look ahead, my goal remains simple: to preserve the small-town charm that makes Bedminster unique, while continuing to deliver excellent services, maintain fiscal responsibility, and enhance our residents’ quality of life. I am grateful for the trust our residents have placed in me and would be honored to continue serving them for another term.”

Bill Rosen

Rosen said he chose to run after Township Committeeman Doug Stevinson resigned from the dais for undisclosed reasons and chose not to seek another term on the now all-GOP, five-member dais.

He said running for the governing body “has been something that I have wanted to do, the timing was right for this election with Doug Stevenson retiring and not seeking reelection, and with my nest becoming empty.

“I have been described as a serial volunteer and hope to bring my dedication of service to the community to the next level. I truly want to help Bedminster continue to thrive and grow,” he said.

“Fiscal responsibility is paramount. Keeping taxes and costs low while providing services is a key issue.

“I attended the budget meetings this year and was exposed to the process, which was extremely beneficial. The budget is not rubber stamped – it is literally gone over line-by-line by the entire Township Committee, with give and take and compromises between the various departments.

“The cooperation and efforts between the Township Committee, the Township Administrator and the department heads result in favorable outcomes for the taxpayers.”

He said the township is “definitely” holding down costs.

“There are already shared services in place, such as our shared court, the Clarence Dillon Public Library, our fire companies and first aid squad, in addition to the Somerset Hills Safety Committee.

“Opportunities are always being looked at to work with other municipalities and the school to further engage our recreation facilities, (Department of Public Work) services, and other initiatives to optimize costs and deliverables.

“In this spirit, we are now planning America 250 initiatives with then surrounding communities, (Jacobus Vanderveer House) JVH and the Somerset Hills School District,” he said.

Another key issue, he said, “is responsible controlled development. This is something that Bedminster has done very well, keeping commercial development contained to the Route 206 corridor and maintaining the historic appearance of the community.”

And then, there is the power issue with Jersey Central Power & Light, what Rosen calls “a concern.

“(Township Committeeman) Colin Hickey has been working very closely with JCP&L to obtain solutions and corrections to the infrastructure to result in less loss of power,” he said. “I intend to do whatever I can to continue help with these improvements.

If elected, Rosen said he would live up to what he calls the duo’s “Campaign mantra” – “keeping Bedminster active, affordable and accessible.”

Rosen may not have held an official seat on the now five-member, all-Republican dais, but he has been active in the community.

“I have been described as a serial volunteer in the community,” he said. “I have spent 11 years on the recreation committee, chairing it for the last six years. I am also on the Farmers Market advisory board and a fixture at the market on Saturdays. I have also coached in the Bedminster basketball program for 12 years. I will help maintain and look to expand our recreation facilities, which are already outstanding.”

He says he’s also been involved in various improvement projects, like the new Bedminster Community Garden in River Road Park, which he said should be ready for planting in the spring.

“This has been a long time coming and will be a tremendous asset to the community, especially to the green-thumbed Hills residents who don’t have the space for gardens,” he said.

If elected, Rosen said he will “help to maintain fiscal responsibility by having an active role in the budgeting process. My profession is purchasing and logistics for a chemical manufacturing company.”

Additionally, he said, “I have years of experience in sourcing, negotiating and keeping pricing down which I will bring to the committee. I will also maintain our open space and advocate for responsible controlled development that is right for the community.”

When it comes to keeping connected with residents, Rosen said the township “does an outstanding job.” That connection was improved when the Bedminster Alert System “was implemented a number of years ago as a ‘push’ alternative available to residents, as opposed to them having to go to the Township website or Facebook page,” he said.

Additionally, Township Committee meetings are hybrid half-life, live-virtual meetings, one of the few towns in Somerset County that do this, he said.

Rosen is also confident the township is doing enough to keep residents safe. an initiative that was enhanced when Mayor Larry Jacobs last year formed the Somerset Hills Safety Committee with other mayors to mitigate an increase in car thefts and break-ins.

“One of the biggest accomplishments to come out of that was the implementation of Automatic License Plate Readers throughout the area to assist in crime detection and prevention and they have obtained great results,” said Rosen.

On top of that, said Rosen, Jacobs, Chief Frank Bernardo, and Lt. Tom Polito “have made community outreach and community policing a priority. Our residents have seen an increased police presence through town, as well as different venues to engage with our officers-the Farmers Market, Coffee with a Cop and Hills Master Board meetings, to name just a few,” he said.

Rosen is a 21-year resident of the Hills. His wife, Karen, owns a day care center in Malapan, and they have two children kids, Shelby, a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, and Ari, a freshman at the University of Mississippi.

“I truly love this town, it is an amazing community with a great quality of life,” he said. “I want to do whatever I can to maintain and improve Bedminster.”

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: I have been a Bedminster resident for almost 20 years, I very much appreciate living in our town and realize the importance of having dedicated individuals representing us, which is why on Tuesday, Nov. 4, I’ll be voting for Gina Fernandez and Bill Rosen for the Bedminster Township Committee.

I have known Bill for over 15 years and his experience as Recreation Committee Chair, paired with his years coaching youth sports, which I have had the pleasure of assisting, demonstrates his commitment to our community. Bill volunteered to coach when the town was short of volunteers, despite not having children of his own in the program, which tells you all you need to know regarding his commitment to Bedminster.

His experience as chair of the Recreation Committee will be invaluable as committeeman. I also think his focus on keeping taxes low will be invaluable in dealing with the municipal budget.

Gina’s experience as a Bedminster committeewoman will continue to benefit our town and she’ll be able to mentor Bill accordingly. Gina has always demonstrated willingness to be the lead in matters related to Bedminster School, as our daughters are the same age. She also provided valuable advice to newer parents at the school in those years, which I personally experienced.

Additionally, as liaison to the Recreation Department and Recreation Advisory Committee, she has partnered to sponsor events such as the Halloween trunk-or-treat, Easter Egg Hunt and Fall Fest.

The Bedminster Township Committee has kept property taxes the lowest in Somerset County through a detailed concentration on the municipal budget. Focus on what’s best for the residents of Bedminster will continue as this pair will meet issues head on. Be assured maintaining Green Spaces and keeping residents engaged with new events will continue as well under their representation.

Both Bill and Gina can be counted on to continue the legacy of keeping Bedminster affordable and both are long-term residents who understand what makes Bedminster special!

Please join me in voting for Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez on Tuesday, Nov. 4, which will ensure Bedminster remains a wonderful place to live and raise a family!

FRANK PASCALE

Oakura Lane
Bedminster

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: As a longtime resident of Bedminster and a proud member of the Township Committee, I am honored to endorse Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez for this year’s election to the Bedminster Township Committee.

Bill Rosen exemplifies the spirit of community through his tireless volunteerism. Whether lending his talents to Bedminster Township School, the Hills Master Association, numerous sports organizations, or the Bedminster Township Recreation Committee, Bill excels in delivering programs that enrich the lives of our children and benefit all our residents.

I am particularly moved by his participation in the Bedminster Township School anti-bullying committee, responsible for establishing HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying prevention and procedures).

Lately, Bill’s unwavering support and hands-on involvement have helped to establish and build the Bedminster Farmers Market, a community institution with skyrocketing popularity, where residents come together to enjoy fresh, healthy food and good company—a true reflection of what makes our town special.

Gina Fernandez applies her remarkable organizational skills honed in her career as a teacher to her role as Bedminster Township Committee member.

Gina is laser-focused on operational excellence, particularly in human resources where she led multiple successful efforts to hire department heads who have become great complements to the Bedminster team.

Her dedication to maintaining the high standards of our township staff ensures that Bedminster is professionally run. Gina is equally committed to fiscal responsibility, focusing on balancing our budget in a way that sustains vital programs while keeping taxes low—a priority for all residents.

Both Bill and Gina have raised children in the Bedminster school system and share a deep investment in preserving the services that make our community thrive, including the Hike and Bike trail system and the historic Jacobus Vanderveer House.

It has been a pleasure working alongside these candidates, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration.

I encourage my fellow residents to support Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez—two individuals who truly embody the values and vision of Bedminster.

Sincerely,

RENEE MARESKI
Crestmont Road
Bedminster Township

The writer is a member of the Bedminster Township Committee

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: As a Bedminster resident for over 30 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the dedication it takes to maintain our town’s exceptional quality of life. That’s why, come Tuesday, Nov. 4, I’ll be voting for Gina Fernandez and Bill Rosen for the Bedminster Township Committee.

Gina brings a wealth of experience as she completes her sixth year as Bedminster Committeewoman. She has shown unwavering dedication to Bedminster residents in many ways, most notably as the human resources liaison utilizing her unique knowledge in HR (human resource) matters to ensure Bedminster is well staffed.

Additionally, as the liaison to the Recreation Department and Recreation Advisory Committee, she has partnered to sponsor events such as the Halloween trunk-or-treat, Easter Egg Hunt, and Fall Fest.

Bill Rosen’s experience as Recreation Committee Chair, coupled with his years coaching youth sports, demonstrates his commitment to our community. His business acumen will be invaluable in tackling the budget and finding creative solutions to maximize offerings while minimizing costs.

The Bedminster Township Committee has kept property taxes the lowest in Somerset County through a painstaking review of the municipal budget. Their focus always is on what is best for the residents of Bedminster, maintaining our Green spaces, bringing new events and activities to our community, and tackling all challenges that come our way.

Both Bill and Gina are long-term residents who understand what makes Bedminster special. They can be counted on to continue the legacy of Bedminster, keeping it affordable and offering a wealth of activities for residents to enjoy.

Please join me in voting for Bill Rosen and Gina Fernandez on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, to ensure Bedminster remains a special place for all.

BARBARA BAUMANN
Wendover Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: We’ve all been told at one point or another in our lives to find the calm in the chaos. Here in Bedminster, we are fortunate that the chaos is not personal or political, but rather found in the abundance of activity going on in our little town.

Our Farmers Market has enjoyed an unprecedented level of attendance this year. Dirt is being moved adjacent to River Road Park in preparation for a new community garden. A new dog park is slated for construction at Burnt Mills Park, and speaking of pets, the new corporate headquarters for Freshpet recently opened in the heart of our commercial district.

Our annual tradition of Fall Fest is right around the corner (mark your calendar for Oct. 11). Trunk or Treat will quickly follow on it heels, and before you can blink an eye, we will be greeting the holidays with celebrations at the newly reorganized Jacobus Vanderveer House. And lest we forget, 2026 heralds the kick-off of America 250 celebrations here in Bedminster, which stood at the crossroads of the American Revolution.

This flurry of activity doesn’t happen on its own or by accident. It’s the result of the hard work of many dedicated volunteers, two of whom are always at the center of it all. My colleague, Committeewoman Gina Fernandez, is a real-life action figure. She works tirelessly for the town, organizing events, planning activities, and is at the heart of most every recreation program we run.

Her uncanny ability to turn the chaos into calm and deliver great programming for our residents is part of what makes Bedminster so special. But Gina’s talents don’t stop there. In the face of significant staff turnover owing to retirements and attrition, Gina turned turmoil into a powerhouse township team. Her work has resulted in a staff that is second to none and always delivers for our residents. As I like to say, I’m glad she’s on our side!

If Gina is the Energizer Bunny, then Bill Rosen is the Everyday Hero. If your kids have ever been in a Bedminster Recreation program, they’ve probably been coached by Bill. If you come across a volunteer sporting blue sneakers and an orange baton every weekend at the Bedminster Farmers Market, you’ve met Bill. And if you find a family synonymous with all that makes Bedminster great, you know the Rosens.

But Gina and Bill are more than highly capable and ever-present volunteers. I’ve watched Gina tear through budgets with the tenacity of a pit bull, looking for every opportunity to save taxpayers money. And I’ve seen Bill quickly come up to speed on the issues facing Bedminster. His thoughtful questions and insights have led me to conclude that he is a worthy successor to my colleague, Committeeman Doug Stevinson.

Fan favorite alert. I’ve seen no one who exhibits more passion for the people he serves, no one more tenacious in his efforts and no one more eloquent in his delivery than Doug. He has served Bedminster extremely well for the past nine years and will be sorely missed.

The example having been set, Gina and Bill have taken the game to new heights. If Gina is our Jeter, then Bill is our Judge – two players who distinguish themselves day in and day out by giving superior effort and producing great results. Bedminster’s team is better with these two superstars on the roster.

This Nov. 4, I encourage my fellow residents to vote for the team that are always champions for Bedminster – Fernandez and Rosen.

R. COLIN HICKEY
Desiree Court
Bedminster Township 

The writer, a Republican, is a member of the Bedminster Township Committee.

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: There is no doubt New Jersey needs to be fixed. We are a state where too many residents depart when they retire, too many of our children leave because they can’t afford to buy their first home and too many companies flee because the tax and regulatory climate is hostile to business.

Democrats in Trenton are trying to tell you what kind of car you can drive and what kind of appliances you must buy, all while closing power generating stations and blowing more than $1 billon on a failed windmill project off our shore. With demand far exceeding supply, your ever-increasing electric bill reflects the policies and priorities of out-of-touch politicians and state bureaucrats.

Jack Ciattarelli will reopen power plants, clear regulatory hurdles for solar and bring on safe, modern, small nuclear power to make New Jersey energy independent. This will lower prices and attract industry and high-paying jobs to the state. Jack is a businessman, CPA and a Jersey native who knows how to make our state more affordable place to start a family or stay in retirement.

In Bedminster, we have the best of what New Jersey local government has to offer. Mayor Larry Jacobs, Gina Fernandez and the Township Committee have worked to keep taxes low, provide quality local government services and encourage businesses along Route 206 to boost our tax base. Gina has been instrumental in keeping the township budget modest and township staff responsive to the taxpayers.

Bill Rosen is a family man with a business background and long record of community service as a youth coach and recreation commissioner. Bill looks forward to joining the Township Committee and keeping Bedminster going in the right direction.

I have known Jack for nearly 20 years. He is an innovator, a problem-solver and one of the hardest working community leaders I have ever met. Jack can fix New Jersey.

Gina and Bill will keep Bedminster’s taxes low and quality of life high. Please join me in voting for Jack Ciattarelli for governor, and Gina Fernandez and Bill Rosen for Bedminster Township Committee.

STEVE PARKER
Airport Road
Bedminster Township

The writer is a former Bedminster Township Mayor

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: New Jersey needs to be fixed; our taxes are out of control, our children and parents can no longer afford to stay here, and we see crime in places we never expected in years past. We need a government that attracts businesses that pay a good wage, efficiently uses our tax dollars to provide quality services and supports the people who keep us safe.

The state spends far too much money; the budget has ballooned more than 50 percent in the past seven years of all-Democratic government. To feed that bloat, we bear among the highest taxes in the nation. It is no wonder people and businesses continue to flee the state.

Jack Ciattarelli is a Certified Public Accountant who has built two thriving businesses and also served his community as a mayor, county freeholder (commissioner) and state assemblyman. He has balanced budgets, negotiated public union contracts and created innovative solutions at all levels of government.

Jack is not a professional politician, but rather someone who became involved in his local, county and state government, on a part-time basis. At each level, he term-limited himself. This is an important distinction, as many politicians stay too long and look for ways to make the government work for them rather than the people they serve.

There are others who have not served a day in government and, like Phil Murphy, think they can treat the governorship as an entry level position. We cannot make that mistake again –we need an experienced leader to fix Trenton.

Not only do we need a new governor, we also must flip the Democratic majority in the State Assembly to affect real change. Jack has been up and down the state promoting good candidates who will help him enact the change so desperately needed. He will unite the party and, in November, the state, to fix New Jersey.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jack for nearly 20 years, and he impresses me as a man of ideas and innovation. He understands what is wrong and has a detailed plan to reform our government. Please join me in voting for Jack Ciattarelli in the Tuesday, June 10, Republican Primary.

STEVE PARKER
Airport Road
Bedminster

The writer is a former Bedminster Township Mayor

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

The Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee is proud to announce their support for Gina Lisa-Fernandez and Bill Rosen for Bedminster Township Committee.  Gina Fernandez is in her second 3-year term on the Township Committee, where she has distinguished herself with her work on the municipal budget, keeping property taxes in check, overseeing personnel issues and reviving the Fall Fest community celebration. 

Bill Rosen is seeking to succeed Doug Stevinson, who is retiring after three outstanding terms on the Bedminster Township Committee.  Bill is an executive in the chemical industry and has been a township resident for over 20 years.  He has an exceptional record of community service, including his long tenure as a youth coach in basketball, Little League baseball and as the Chairman of the Bedminster Recreation Committee for the past five years.  Most recently, Bill has organized the annual Bryce Rosen 5K charity run in memory of his son, and is a fixture volunteering at the Bedminster Farmer’s Market.

Committeewoman Fernandez and Mr. Rosen will appear on the primary ballot under the Somerset County Republican Organization label, endorsed by the Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee.  Early voting begins June 3^rd through June 8^th, with the Primary taking place on June 10^th.

The Bedminster Republican Municipal Committee will screen candidates for Bedminster Township Committee on Tuesday March 18, 2025, at 7 PM at the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, 811 Rattlesnake River Road, Bedminster Township.  There are two seats on the Bedminster Township Committee up for the Bedminster Republican nomination for the June 10^th primary.  Republicans who wish to appear to present themselves for nomination should contact the Chair, Steve Parker at info@bedminstergop.org no later than 5 PM, Friday March 7^th.

Let’s face it: Governance by consensus is no easy feat.

In fact, it’s akin to cat-herding, thanks very often to diverse communities where everybody, it seems, has their way of doing things. And that’s because everyone is supposed to have their unique ways of thinking, and living, like they do.

Ah, but people need to come together in a community to make it as viable as it is successful – and likeable. That includes Bedminster Township, where the governing body has, for decades now, had to not just round up the cats, but meet their needs and keep everyone as happy as possible.

It’s particularly challenging in a township like Bedminster, which over the years has seen many, many changes in its make-up – in particular, the addition of The Hills, itself a microcosm of communities comprised of many races and cultural colors – which, by the way, we love.

But being diverse does not mean no one shares goals. In a community, those include reasonable taxes for excellent services as well as a safe place to live. Both have been challenges over the years, but of late the five-member, now all-Republican dais has met those challenges.

By the way, those challenges are exacerbated by steady increases in the cost of living, e.g. fixed cost increases like salaries and health care for municipal employees, but also challenges at a time when certain people think it’s a great idea to cruise major interstates, like Routes 78 and 287, enter a community and light finger everything from vehicles to personal possessions.

Well, Township Committee members Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski are doing something about everything. Dais veterans, they have for several years now worked to maintain and improve services and offerings to residents. From the farmer’s market to a multi-town safety committee to keeping a leg on utility providers like Jersey Central Power & Light, they are doing what they can – and then some – to ensure residents stay put.

Yes, we like Democratic challenger Julia O’Brien too, be assured. But we think the Township Committee is in no need of change for now. The committee/cowboy cat herders all deserve kudos.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, re-elect Bedminster Township Committee members Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

BEDMINSTER TWP. – Juggling costs with quality of life, cutting crime and remedying those pesky power outages are among top concerns of Republicans and Democrats seeking to fill two, three-year expiring terms on the now all-GOP five-member Township Committee.

Republican incumbents Lawrence Jacobs of Hillside Avenue and Renee Mareski of Crestmont Road are being challenged by Democrats Julia O’Brien of Stevens Court and Lawrence McShane of Wendover Court.

Jacobs, a resident of Hillside Avenue, was first elected in 2012 and is seeking a fifth term. He is serving as mayor, a position decided each year by the governing body itself. Mareski, who is seeking her third term on the committee, resides on Crestmont Road.

Candidates, with the exception of McShane responded to a set of questions provided by The Bernardsville News. Their answers follow and are listed in alphabetical order according to the candidate’s last name.

Larry Jacobs

Jacobs said he is seeking re-election to continue addressing numerous issues, like providing excellent service and quality of life without cutting costs in an economically challenged environment. 

“When I first joined the Township Committee, I made a commitment to identify the short term and long-term challenges that Bedminster was facing and to put Bedminster in the best situation to address the challenges,” he said.

In the 12 years he’s sat on the committee, he said, “we’ve implemented programs to bolster our commercial properties, address affordable housing requirements, and confront security issues. I believe that the Township Committee has placed Bedminster far ahead of many other municipalities in identifying and addressing these concerns, and at the same time, keeping Bedminster’s taxes low.”

According to Jacobs, the county tax board identified Bedminster “as having the lowest tax rate in the entire county. While I was certainly pleased to see that we have the lowest taxes, I was more pleased to realize that we have done so without compromising any services to our residents,” he said. Those services include two officers to the police department, “excellent recreation opportunities,” and expanding farmland preservation, he said.

“We are not engaged in a race to austerity,” he said. “We do not keep taxes low merely for the sake of claiming low taxes.”

Jacobs also spoke as to how the committee examined ways to jump-start the local economy through re-zoning what was once a large ratable – the former AT&T complex off of Route 202.

“Nearly seven years ago, (then) Mayor Steve Parker and I engaged with the ownership of the AT&T campus. We recognized that property – our largest commercial ratable, as well as many other commercial properties in Bedminster were susceptible to corporate downsizing, and we wanted to be prepared for all possibilities,” he said.

“Over the next few years, I initiated planning studies to assess alternatives to keep our commercial properties viable. During this time, the evolution of commercial real estate was dramatically impacted by COVID – office space was deprioritized as ‘work from home’ became normalized, and the large single-user corporate campus had become a dinosaur facing an inevitable extinction. Bedminster needed to change our approach and we did.”

Those changes, he said, included re-zoning the campus “specifically to encourage high-tech and life sciences uses; this rezoning reflects the federal and state emphasis on on-shoring of these industries and takes advantage of the built-in expertise of the Somerset County workforce. The property is now known as the Bedminster Technology Center and is actively being marketed as a multi-use high-tech campus.”

He also brokered a deal in which AT&T stayed in the township, moving to another campus on Route 206.  “A once-empty parking lot is now full with AT&T employees,” he said.

Furthermore, the township also rezoned “to accommodate the changing office market – retail and other complementary uses can now be co-located at office properties. This rezoning resulted in Freshpet relocating its corporate headquarters from Secaucus to Bedminster.”

Jacobs has also played a leading role in keeping the township safe from the rash of car and home break ins and thefts that have pervaded the Somerset Hills, resulting in the multi-town Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee consisting of Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bridgewater “as a forum to share best practices on issues such as communication, preparedness and security for our residents.

“All six municipalities adopted an ordinance to provide for municipal prosecution for unauthorized entry and attempts to steal vehicles. We added two police officers and we recently authorized the purchase of five automatic license plate readers. Bedminster has had less incidents than our neighbors but that should not detract from our commitment to vigilance and support of our police.”

“One of my first appointments as mayor was to create a utilities liaison and assigning Committeeman Colin Hickey to that role,” he said.

“During COVID, the inadequacy of internet connectivity in many of our neighborhoods was exposed. Work from home, school from home, and entertainment from home imposed greater demands than could be satisfied with the old co-axial service – frustration mounted against Altice,” he said.

A public forum, he said, led to that carrier not only increasing service but committing to replace its co-axial service with high-speed fiber optics.

Utility problems, however, continue, as the township tries to get Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to upgrade electrical services. As a result of many information sessions, “we have secured commitments on upgrades from JCP&L, many of which will be implemented over the next several months.”

However, he said, “JCP&L’s service will remain a challenge for Bedminster and will require leadership and resolve to see that those commitments are implemented.”

Another challenge that remains is one of affordable housing as the township continues to maintain its “town and country” character.

“Developers across New Jersey are looking for any opportunity to squeeze additional residential development into our town and will use affordable housing as the means to do so, and despite the promises made by Trenton, the new legislation provides multiple opportunities for builders to sue municipalities,” he said.

“Bedminster needs to take a careful approach to assessing the obligation as calculated by the Department of Community Affairs and being creative in implementing an affordable housing solution that does not overwhelm our community. This requires strong, knowledgeable and creative leadership.

“I hope to be elected one more time to see these initiatives fulfilled and keeping Bedminster ahead.”

Jacobs is in his 11th year on the committee and is its senior member in length of service. His day job is that of an environmental attorney.

Renee Mareski

Mareski said she is seeking re-election “to keep Bedminster Township both economically and environmentally healthy. Having served for 10 years on my Crestmont Homeowner Association board and 12 years the Bedminster Township Environmental Committee, I believe I have developed the skills needed to do this job.”

Mareski specifically is proud of three accomplishments while on the dais. One is holding down costs when it comes to the budget. 

“I use my budgeting skills to keep spending as efficient as possible,” she said. “And in a world of ever-increasing taxes and prices, by reviewing and scrutinizing every line of the town budget, we are able to keep our residents’ taxes low.

“This year was my sixth year working on the budget. It was the most challenging as we had many capital requests to review and prioritize. These requests included two new fire trucks, a new roof on the municipal building and emergency response radios.”

Close scrutiny of the budget, however, led to the ability to hire two new police officers. 

“This is a major addition to the safety of our township in light of the car thefts that have hit our area,” she said. “Additionally, we are prioritizing community policing, this funding allows our officers to spend more time interacting directly with our residents in our neighborhoods and township events.”

Mareski also takes pride in keeping the township green and sustainable. “As a past member, past chairman, and now liaison to the Bedminster Environmental Commission, I have worked to keep our township clean and green,” she said.

“Our educational programs, stream cleanup, Farmers Market, and the clean-up of the Bedminster Pond are all examples of how we can keep our environment and our residents healthy.”

As far as challenges go, Mareski, like Jacbos, sees the need for better JCP&L service.

“While we really have no ability to force them to do anything, we are acting as a very loud squeaky wheel,” she said.

“Bedminster Township is constantly in contact with JCP&L, we host programs at Town Hall so residents can make themselves heard, and we assist where we can for our residents.”

As an example Mareski cites a time when JCP&L told one homeowner’s association that members had to play to replace equipment in one building.

That turned out to be untrue, she said. According to Mareski, the committee “did some research and found that actually JCP&L was responsible for them, saving the residents thousands of dollars.

“As we maintain the pressure on JCP&L, they have begun a new project to upgrade our aging equipment. We await approvals on future projects to be funded but I will continue to keep the squeaky wheel turning so JCP&L knows we are watching out for our residents.”

Another challenge Mareski sees is “keeping a balance between controlled growth in our community and the maintenance of open land or green spaces.

“As new projects come before the Township Committee, I am always looking to make sure that there is appropriate open space and beneficial landscaping. It is important to keep our economy healthy and growing but it is just as important for our residents to keep the bucolic atmosphere of Bedminster intact.”

Mareski is also aware of the need to bind the diverse community.

“Bedminster is unique in that the town is split into many sections. We do not have a town center,” she said.

“We have the Hills that is separated from the larger single family properties. We have several major highways that bisect the area. So, I have worked on several strategies to help bring our neighbors together, including the Farmers Market, the Jacobus Vanderveer house, the Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), and the Hike and Bike trail. These entities are major gems in our town’s basket of jewels but they are easy to miss when residents have become isolated due to the aforementioned issues.

“I enjoy working at the Farmers Market and supporting the programming of the Vanderveer House and CCA. In my role as the Hills liaison, I push out the programming using social media and direct outreach to all our residents.”

Mareski has lived in the Hills for more than 20 years, beginning in Parkside and now in the Crestmont section, where he is a member of the homeowner’s association’s governing body. She chairs the township’s Environmental Committee. She is a graduate of St. Laurence University and has a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky.

Julia O’Brien

O’Brien said currently, “the biggest issue facing Bedminster residents is the number of power outages and other related issues with JCP&L. 

“The current Committee has worked closely with the utility for years, but we’ve had two outages in the past week alone.  Bedminster is a small town with limited ability to pressure the utility. But in New Jersey, we have the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and the current administration has not leveraged that to our advantage.

“My first priority if elected would be to build relationships with BPU. I believe JCP&L has under-invested in infrastructure and maintenance for a long time, and BPU can put pressure on them to make corrections. 

“Having lived elsewhere in New Jersey for many years, where other power companies supply electricity, I can say that the current state of our power is not normal.”

O’Brien retired in 2023 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she was the Region 2 Geospatial Coordinator, responsible for data analysis of both natural and manmade threats and disasters.

Prior to joining FEMA, she consulted in the fields of public safety, community planning, and environmental analysis. She also served as a consultant on projects for Environmental Impact Statements and environmental analysis, and studies for community planning projects chiefly in New York and New Jersey.

O’Brien has lived in Bedminster since 2021, having lived in Union and Hudson counties for the previous 33 years. She chaired the Bedminster Democratic Committee since November 2023.

and has been a lifetime volunteer and activist for women’s rights, environmental responsibility, and community organizations wherever she has lived.

As a volunteer, she served two years as president of Business and Professional Women New Jersey. She has been Chair of Deacons and several other committees over her 35-year membership at Christ Church in Summit, and currently serves as a leader of the Reproductive Rights group at that church.

She is a mother of one son and a grandmother to 7-year-old twins.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: This year, the residents of Bedminster Township are fortunate to be able to vote for the re-election of Renee Mareski and Larry Jacobs to the Bedminster Township Committee.

While much has been conveyed about the distinguished record of our present Mayor Larry Jacobs, I would like to recount the similarly impressive credentials and accomplishments of Renee Mareski. What a great team!

Knowing Renee for many years, I have witnessed her commitment to community service. Throughout a wide variety of volunteer positions, she has consistently shown herself to be kind, authentic and full of integrity. Renee’s desire to help others combined with her love of horses led her to become a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. For 22 years, Renee devoted her Saturday mornings to delivering adaptive equine-assisted services therapy to people with disabilities.

As a one-time president of the Crestmont HomeOwners Association and past member of the Hills Village Master Association board, Renee built connections and represented her own and her neighbors’ interests with compassion and resolve. In her present role, she continues to be a strong advocate for Hills residents in matters that come before the Bedminster Township Committee.

During her first two terms on the committee, Renee advanced multiple successful municipal programs. As liaison to the Bedminster Environmental Commission, Renee supported the group’s successful efforts to clean up Bedminster Pond and launch and sustain a thriving Farmers Market. Now, Renee is behind the active pursuit of a Community Garden, which will enable Hills residents to have the space to grow their own produce to feed their families.

Within the broader scope of the Township Committee, Renee’s balanced approach has contributed to a sound budget that enables Bedminster Township to maintain stellar municipal services and keep our taxes low. Thoughtful decision-making has enabled Renee Mareski, Mayor Larry Jacobs and their colleagues on the Bedminster Township Committee to amass a long list of successes including adding two police officers, addressing affordable housing requirements and adopting a new ordinance to combat the recent spike in car thefts.

Prompted by the changing corporate real estate environment, the committee proactively rezoned commercial properties to accommodate controlled growth and preserve Bedminster’s country charm in harmony with the Bedminster Master Plan.

A proven, productive and worthy steward of Bedminster, Renee will continue her countless efforts to champion municipal services that benefit all residents.

If you are grateful for the high quality of life you enjoy in Bedminster, I encourage you to re-elect Renee Mareski and Larry Jacobs to the Bedminster Township Committee.

DEBBIE TAGLIERI

Wendover Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Nearly six years ago, the Bedminster Township Committee selected Larry Jacobs to serve as mayor.

One of his first initiatives was to create a farmers market to promote local agriculture. Mayor Jacobs, new Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski and the rest of the committee, valuing our rural character, wished to preserve open space by promoting the viability of local farms.

Profitable farms are an incentive to landowners to resist the lure of development. Rather than spend tax dollars securing open space deed restrictions, the farmers market aimed to highlight local growers and incent productive use of the land.

But something unexpected happened when Mayor Jacobs created the Bedminster Farmers Market. Not only did it become wildly popular, with over 1,000 visitors stopping by every week, it also became a social space. The market was suddenly the place to be every Saturday morning, a spot where you could share a cup of coffee with your neighbor while enjoying the fruits of our local agriculture.

During COVID-19, the outdoor market was one of the few places we could gather with our family and friends in person. Post-pandemic, the market is more popular than ever, serving as a place to catch up on children, tell stories and even walk our dogs.

Bedminster does not have a traditional town center, but the Bedminster Farmers Market has become our unofficial community square. With the creation of the Bedminster Farmers Market, Mayor Larry Jacobs, Renee Mareski and the Township Committee gave Bedminster a newfound town center and sense of community.

“Keeping Bedminster a Step Ahead” is not just a campaign slogan, it is the primary mission for our elected officials in all aspects of local governance. By always focusing on low taxes, a high quality of life and fostering a greater sense of community, Mayor Larry Jacobs and Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski have earned my vote, and I hope yours as well.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, let us re-elect both these leaders so they can continue to keep Bedminster a beautiful place to live and a bucolic destination to visit.

STEVE PARKER

Airport Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Bedminster Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski, throughout their tenures on the Township Committee, have been confident and responsive leaders for the township.

They encourage and deliver opportunities for active community engagement and make certain that suggestions from community members are heard and that local issues move toward resolution.

In the midst of ongoing power grid failures in the community, Jacobs, Mareski and the Township Committee have obliged reps from the power company to appear at several public meetings to explore what can be done to improve service availability and reduce restoration times.

The latest opportunity for amplified public input was on Sept. 16. As has been the case each time Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) was included on the Township Committee Meeting agenda, this meeting was well-advertised and drew a large number of residents, who were encouraged to ask questions, voice opinions and enter into the public record the personal impact of the frequent outages.

Similarly, many in the community have experienced poor internet service, and the Township Committee again worked with reps from the internet providers and local homeowners associations for a new cable provider fiber network, which is now in the process of being built out at no cost to subscribers.

Over the last five years, at least three condo fires have devastated local residents – February 2021 in Village Green, November (Thanksgiving) 2021 in Four Oaks and the recent April 2024 fire in Crestmont Highlands.

Without hesitation, Jacobs, Mareski, and the Township Committee jumped right in to spearhead recovery efforts for all displaced residents, including working with the fire companies for quick responses, setting up collections and donations and simplifying permitting and reconstruction processes for rebuilding damaged units.

During the COVID-19 pandemic as well, Jacobs, Mareski and the Township Committee guided the community through crazy and unprecedented times – providing continuous updates, virtual meetings and donations for out-of-work families.

More recently, Mayor Jacobs has connected with mayors of neighboring towns to address increasing car thefts, burglaries and crimes in the community and has worked with the Township Committee to increase police surveillance and enact added penalties for these crimes to discourage them in Bedminster.

The consensus and cooperation that Jacobs has built among Bedminster and neighboring towns has led to investment in ALPRs (automatic license plate readers) that have already thwarted auto theft and burglary attempts.

Jacobs and Mareski have spent the better part of 20 years on volunteer boards within the Township. This is evident in their leadership.

Jacobs formerly lived in The Hills, and Mareski still does. In supporting the interests of Bedminster Township as a whole, they always take into consideration the unique needs of The Hills communities.

While there are many more aspects of advocacy and governance that I can add to this stellar list of accomplishments and initiatives, I will close with this reminder. Bedminster delivers great services to residents – all this and continued affordable property taxes under the leadership of Jacobs, Mareski and the Bedminster Township Committee.

This is a no-brainer. I encourage all to continue to support Larry Jacobs and Renee Mareski in re-election for Bedminster Township Committee.

JEFFREY S. LEONARD

Wescott Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: It’s been a busy few years on the Bedminster Township Land Use Board. As the chair for the past eight years, I’ve presided over a wide range of land use hearings.

The lens my board has consistently applied when reviewing applications is whether the proposed use supports the objectives of Bedminster’s Master Plan. While that plan has always been consistent in its objectives, the way we achieve them has changed in response to the dynamics of the times.

I am proud to say that Mayor Larry Jacobs has been the catalyst behind our ability to anticipate and address the needs of an ever-changing real-estate market. The result has been improvements that have benefited our residents and businesses alike.

For example, several years ago Mayor Jacobs identified the need to provide relief for homeowners looking to make improvements to their properties.

Many were prevented from investing in their own homes due to dated land use policies that prohibited the addition of amenities like a pool or a patio. Without the ability to do so, families were leaving for neighboring communities, and home values were depressed.

By adopting some commonsense revisions, we turned the tide while still maintaining the look and feel that makes Bedminster unique.

When AT&T’s lease on its Bedminster campus looked to be coming to an end, Mayor Jacobs sprang into action. His objective was twofold – keep AT&T in town, and make sure the former AT&T headquarters site didn’t go the way of the dinosaur.

Not only did he ensure that AT&T continue to call Bedminster home, he also helped relocate them to the former Mallinckrodt campus, which itself had been vacated following the pharmaceutical company’s bankruptcy. Talk about a brilliant bit of land use strategy!

At the same time, recognizing the emergence of life sciences, he championed the rezoning of the former AT&T campus to include research, development and laboratory uses, in addition to office space.

As a result, the property is now being marketed by its owner as a highly desirable location for businesses engaged in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. A location situated at the crossroad of Routes 78 and 287 puts Bedminster at the intersection of great companies and high-paying jobs.

Speaking of great companies, we’ve got a new one in town, thanks again to our forward-looking mayor. Last year, Freshpet, the premier manufacturer of fresh pet food, was looking for a new location for its corporate headquarters.

Without hesitation, Mayor Jacobs knew that Bedminster was the perfect fit for Freshpet, which highlights people, pets and the planet as its corporate mission.

With the full support of the Land Use Board, he worked with the company and a local property owner to make this vision a reality. Today, as you drive North on 206, you’ll see construction underway on Freshpet’s beautiful addition to Bedminster’s business corridor, slated to open by mid-2025.

Recognizing that Pluckemin’s downtown business district needed a “good kick in the pants,” Mayor Jacobs convened local business and property owners, along with state and county resources, to identify areas for improvement. Pedestrian access, parking, signage and safety were all cited as key objectives, and the mayor has made it his personal mission to effect the necessary changes.  Once again, I suspect my land use calendar is about to get busy as a result.

Why does this all matter and why should you care? Well, as former Mayor Steve Parker used to say, you can think of local taxes as a pie divided between residents and businesses.

Too few businesses mean more of the tax burden placed on our residents.

Conversely, too many businesses, while decreasing the tax burden, would dramatically lessen the desirability of our local community and drive residents away. 

Maintaining the right balance helps us achieve the objectives of the aforementioned Master Plan, and executing against that plan is significantly advanced by the wisdom, guidance and experience of our chief executive, Mayor Larry Jacobs.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, I plan on voting for the candidates who consistently work to keep Bedminster a step ahead, making our small town a great place to live.  

Please join me in re-electing Mayor Larry Jacobs, along with his running mate Committeewoman Renee Mareski, to the Bedminster Township Committee.

CAROL GUTTSCHALL

Chair
Land Use Board
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: It’s early October, but the Democrat candidates for Bedminster Township Committee have already gone negative.

With nothing constructive to offer, they’ve chosen a well-worn path that many federal and state political races invariably and unfortunately devolve into. I suspect Bedminster voters know better, and regardless of their political affiliation, prefer actual performance over performance art.

Their latest campaign literature attacks the incumbent Republicans, Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski, for Bedminster’s power problems and encourages voters to elect leaders “willing to stand up to JCP&L (Jersey Central Power & Light).”

Interestingly enough, at our Township Committee meeting on Sept. 16, we hosted JCP&L for a detailed review and Q&A session. While the committee and residents peppered the utility with comments and questions for over two hours, neither Democratic candidate mustered the courage to utter a single word.

Rather than be silent, the Township Committee has taken deliberate action over the past several years to address the issue of persistent outages. We compelled JCP&L to inspect its local infrastructure and install new transformers and switches to replace aging and rusted units. We pushed to have local switching more widely deployed (look no further than Hills Drive), so that power can be redirected from a failed circuit to an active one.

We won a major policy dispute with JCP&L, forcing them to maintain the laterals (the connections between transformers and meter banks), as opposed to burdening the Hills Homeowners Associations with this ongoing expense. We advocated for the deployment of additional trip-saver devices, so that circuit faults don’t become extended outages (when the lights flicker but don’t go out for good, that’s what happening). I’ve even personally testified in front of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to encourage additional investment in proactive measures like tree trimming, so that outages can be prevented instead of minimized.

But investment is the key word. Bedminster Township does not own the infrastructure that delivers our electricity. Rather, it is owned and maintained by JCP&L, which in 2001 became a subsidiary of Ohio-based First Energy. I would argue that since this time, the parent company has not sufficiently invested in JCP&L’s physical plant or operations, which has led to the subpar performance we have all witnessed. As a multibillion-dollar private entity, First Energy has, at least historically, chosen to put profit ahead of customer service.

This problem is not limited to Bedminster but is rampant across all Somerset Hills towns, and in fact, extends to many of the areas that are serviced by JCP&L throughout New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy has repeatedly slammed the utility for their poor performance and publicly decried their response to major weather events across the state.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jacobs sent a letter to the BPU demanding that JCP&L make the infrastructure investments necessary to improve reliability and resiliency. In 2024 alone, over $2.5 million has been allocated to two of Bedminster’s most problematic circuits and substations to improve uptime. As JCP&L deploys its circuit “loop scheme” architecture, which provides the ability to isolate faults and route around them, we should begin to see significant improvements.

This is critically important for circuits that traverse heavily wooded areas or run along the sides of highways, which are susceptible to downed poles due to motor vehicle accidents. In Bedminster, we certainly have both.

But this is not a one and done proposition. These investments must continue to be made by JCP&L, particularly against the backdrop of increased demand and more frequent storms.

As Mom used to say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and by holding public hearings and amplifying the concerns of our residents, the Bedminster Township Committee has certainly gotten the attention of JCP&L. Our job now is to continue to advocate that JCP&L put its money where its mission statement is – “making customers’ lives brighter.”

As the Township Committee utility liaison, and at the risk of being TL,DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read), I wanted to provide some insight into why these problems are occurring, and what’s being done to address them. There are no silver bullets or magic wands, and like most things in life, details matter. Talk is cheap, and anyone proclaiming their solution is to simply “hold JCP&L responsible” has no understanding of the underlying issues and therefore little chance of success.

But don’t take my word for it. Ask the candidates, both Republican and Democrat, what their plans are when they coming knocking at your door this campaign season. As a voter, you have a right to know where your candidates stand on all the issues impacting our local community. If you hear buzzwords like “transparency” and “accountability,” rest assured you’re playing political bingo with nonserious actors.

Public service calls for those willing to put in the time and do the work. If you love living in Bedminster, I strongly encourage you to vote for the team that consistently has the answers and delivers strong results.

Please join me in voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to re-elect Mayor Larry Jacobs and Committeewoman Renee Mareski to the Bedminster Township Committee.

R. COLIN HICKEY

Desiree Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s note: The writer is a Bedminster Township Committeeman. Jacobs and Mareski are being challenged by Democrats Lawrence McShane of Wendover Court and Julia O’Brien of Stevens Court. This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: Having served for many years on both my neighborhood Homeowner Association’s Board as well as on the Hills Village Master Association Board, of which I am currently a Trustee at Large, I have found that it is far easier to say what should be done than actually rolling up your sleeves and doing the work.

Mayor Larry Jacobs and Township Committeewoman Renee Mareski have a proven track record of doing the work, and that is why they are getting my vote for Bedminster Township Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Mayor Jacobs’ leadership consistently keeps Bedminster a step ahead of the issues facing the township.  With car thefts, break-ins and other crime rising in the surrounding suburbs, Mayor Jacobs is leading a coalition of local mayors to promote community policing, increase resident awareness and introduce local ordinances to crack down on gang infiltration in the region.

Committeewoman Mareski’s commitment to prioritize preservation of open space and protection of the environment through programs and awareness allows Bedminster to remain true to its heritage of green spaces and judicious land management. Having lived in The Hills for many years, she maintains her connections to the residents and HOA boards that comprise The Hills.

The Bedminster Township Committee has kept property taxes the lowest in Somerset County through a painstaking review of the municipal budget.  They also have and continue to address issues such as internet and electric service in The Hills, maintaining our recreational facilities and parks and advocating with county and state government when needed regarding traffic challenges that arise.

While some look to bring partisan politics to Bedminster, Mayor Jacobs’ and Committeewoman Mareski’s focus has been and will continue to be what is best for the residents of Bedminster. This was best demonstrated by the adoption of the recent parking ordinance on Clucas Brook Road.

Bedminster is such a special place because of the people who look to serve the needs of their neighbors, both now and in the future, which is why Mayor Jacobs and Committeewoman Mareski will be getting my vote. Please consider doing the same on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

BARBARA BAUMANN

Wendover Court
Bedminster Township

Editor’s Note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.

TO THE EDITOR: The fear of crime is running rampant through the New Jersey suburbs. This is especially true in the Interstate 78/287 corridor where car thefts are becoming commonplace.

Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin have openly failed to prosecute these crimes. They have directed state resources to stand down, not chase car thieves, or prosecute property crimes.

Our local mayors and municipalities are passing ordnances that criminalize these offenses so our local police can arrest these thieves and prosecute them in municipal court—and we need to appreciate the efforts of Mayors like Larry Jacobs of Bedminster, Jennifer Asay of Bernards, and Matt Moench of Bridgewater, who are trying to keep us safe.

Now we are hearing that the stolen automobiles make their way to the ports, are loaded on ships, and transported overseas where profits from their sales are funding ISIS and other terrorist organizations. Frightening, but what can be done?

How about the state send a task force to the port, check the vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) of the cars before being loaded on the ships and determine which cars are “hot,” prevent their export and arrest the people who bring them in? This is infinitely easier and less dangerous than having several hundred local police forces on alert.

Where is the federal government in all of this? Don’t we have a Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Service to monitor our ports? It would appear President Biden’s border security failure also includes the Port of Elizabeth.

For those who do not believe their vote counts, sleep well.

STEVE PARKER

Airport Road
Bedminster Township

Editor’s Note: This Letter to the Editor originally appeared in The Bernardsville News.