Get To Know Bernards Town Committee Candidate Sophia Chadda

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Sophia Chadda is running for one of two seats on the Bernards Township Committee.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education?

Columbia University
SUNY Buffalo Dental School
Rutgers Dental School (residency)

Occupation?

Board-certified periodontist, 20 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed office?

No answer submitted

Campaign Website

chaddasandler2020.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I chose Bernards Township 21 years ago as the place to raise my family and 5 years later chose to build my business here. With my love for the town and my scientific evidence-based approach to problem solving, I am confident I can increase transparency, reduce waste, and encourage greater

participation of more of my fellow residents in our civic affairs. My background in healthcare, experience owning and running a business in town, and being a parent gives me the understanding and perspective to lead-- especially during this pandemic. My objective unbiased approach, business acumen, and compassion makes me uniquely qualified to help us navigate the challenges faced from the pandemic and lead us through a swift and effective recovery. I would be
honored to serve my township neighbors and work to improve our future together

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

First, by taking a proactive approach to township issues (development, infrastructure, municipal services), we can plan to sensibly fulfill state mandates while minimizing impact on residents and eliminating lawsuits from developers. The township committee needs to be proactive and not reactionary.

Second, by partnering with our township’s business community and residents, we can encourage the growth of our businesses which would increase business tax revenue while reducing the homeowner property tax burden and increasing the convenience to residents. One way to accomplish this is to establish an Economic Development Commission to help grow our business community, thus increasing tax revenue from businesses while reducing the reliance on homeowners. Third I intend to ensure all township departments are operating efficiently and eliminating waste. Projects need to be planned so that, for example, we don’t pave a road only to rip it up a few months later. I will help ensure consulting projects are engaged only when necessary so we don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on unnecessary projects and studies.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a scientific background and am driven by data, numbers, planning, and a tactical approach. My running mate, Jon Sandler, is a skilled attorney with experience in representing municipalities. Our skills and expertise compliment each other. The opposition, on the other hand, does not seem to have any plans in place other than leveraging personal and professional

relationships they may or may not have in Trenton.

My running mate, Jon Sandler, and I have taken active roles in obtaining answers to the sudden closure of Lord Stirling Stable, the county-owned park located in Basking Ridge. Because of a petition created by a Basking Ridge resident and our follow-through, the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders launched an investigation and have recently announced the Republican-controlled Park Commission failed to follow policies and procedures. I’m disappointed that mayor and opponent Jim Baldasaare and his running mate, Kate Grochala, did not become actively involved to save or question the closing of this Basking Ridge treasure.

Over the past several decades, the township has faced numerous lawsuits -- and lost most

of them -- at significant expense to taxpayers that could have been easily avoided with proper planning and execution. The township committee, controlled by the same political party for decades, spends hundreds of thousands on consultants and questionable projects -- trying to eliminate the charming trickle of water crossing the road in Pleasant Valley Park, for example. We have seen roads newly paved only to be ripped up a few months later. We have seen tremendous

development with little consideration to traffic flow and hazardous planning, such as the flawed design of the Riverwalk shopping center parking lot. Most recently, our
township website and systems were compromised by a ransomware attack. The
township committee hasn’t been transparent about the extent of the compromise but now,
months later, the website is still not secured --something which can be done simply for less
than $200/year. It’s time for the township committee to consider the needs of residents, be transparent, and not think of taxpayers as a limitless source of funds.

I am deeply disturbed the majority of the township committee struck down the concept of an inclusion committee and only reluctantly embraced a watered-down version after township residents made many public objections. Our township committee should lead -- not sheepishly react to protests made by residents. Doing the right thing shouldn’t be so difficult for our leaders; our town deserves better. I’m also disappointed the Township Committee has not taken a more active role in ensuring residents receive non-interrupted and competitive services from utilities that have been given license to operate in the township. The constant service interruptions

and long service outages from JCP&L are unacceptable. So are the ever-increasing cable and Internet service bills from Verizon and Optimum. There is no reason why all residents should not have the ability to choose from a range of service providers.

Three other issues that define my platform are reducing the homeowner property tax

burden, effective planning development, and improving our roadways and infrastructure. I will work with business owners and residents to provide prosperous business districts that
increase convenience, satisfaction, and tax revenue as discussed above in my plan to form an Economic Development Commission. I will collaborate with regulators and developers by planning for our future and eliminating unnecessary legal action/expense while enforcing zoning laws or creating new zoning laws to maintain the charm and desirability to live and work in Bernards Township.

I am committed to taking a planned, sensible approach to upgrading and maintaining our roadways, expanding sidewalks and bike paths/lanes and investigating ways to provide increased competition for cable/satellite TV, internet, and wireless communications services. These are only some of the issues that shape my platform. To learn more about my
platform, to ask me any questions, and to get involved with the campaign, please visit
chaddasandler2020.com.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a small business owner and periodontist in Basking Ridge, I am well versed in managing

and running a business. After visiting more than 100 businesses in town and discussing their concerns, I am uniquely qualified to address how to develop and revitalize ourtownship businesses to ultimately increase our rateables and decrease the tax burden on homeowners. I am a graduate of Leadership Somerset, have been on the Bernards Township Board of Health, and am scheduled to volunteer for the Bernards Township Domestic Violence Response Team. I am currently class mom at my children’s school and have served for several years. In addition, I am a member of various dental societies and held numerous officer positions including president of the Tri County Dental Society of New Jersey advice president of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists, and assistant professor of periodontics at Rutgers Dental School. I have also been named Top Dentist by New Jersey Monthly magazine. During this pandemic, it is important to get people back to work safely and with my dental and business experience, I can help lead the charge to make Bernards Township effectively and efficiently do so.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?