Election 2022: Freddie Bicknese For Chatham Borough Council

CHATHAM, NJ — Four candidates are running for two open seats on the Chatham Borough Council this November.

Democratic incumbents Irene Treloar and Karen Koronkiewicz will face Republican challengers Bob Weber and Freddie Bicknese for their seats on the governing body in November.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. (All of the candidates were given the same questions).

The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here are candidate Freddie Bicknese's answers below:

• Name: Freddie Bicknese
• Age: 47
• Town of residence: Chatham Borough
• Position sought: Council Member
• Party affiliation: Republican
• Family: My wife and I have lived here since 2010 and have a son and daughter who attend the public schools. My wife is a Korean immigrant who works as a technology executive for a large investment bank.
• Education: Rutgers College, BS in Business Management; Temple Law School, JD
• Occupation: Attorney specializing in business and financial litigation
• Previous or current elected appointed office: I am currently a Member of the Morris County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Committee, where I sit on the Legislation and Advocacy Subcommittee. I review, analyze, and vote on budgets and spending items, and explore issues related to mental health and addiction issues impacting County residents.

Why are you seeking elective office?

Because I love Chatham! I care deeply about our beautiful little town and want it to remain as it has been. I will resist unnecessary change so that we may preserve this wonderful place we all call home. I will emphasize fiscal responsibility, seek to stabilize taxes, and support the economic prosperity of our town and local businesses. Count on me to support more conservative policies in all aspects of local government. Currently the Borough government is comprised of 7 to 0 all Democratic elected officials, which is not a fair representation of the actual voter composition of this town. We need more balance on the Council and new ideas and perspectives on every issue facing our town, and we should be focused like a laser on local business matters during this challenging time.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish while serving on the council?

• Reduce local crime by frequently consulting with the police, supporting the police in the best strategies to patrol and protect our neighborhoods, funding them as much as is needed, and giving them the resources, tools, and technologies needed to monitor our Boro
• Assure that only responsible development is permitted in this town – “Small or not at all!” Massive developments like the new construction on River Road add an enormous amount of new traffic and school enrollment. I intend to ensure that the residents are fully informed as to how any development may affect our community and that the people’s voices are heard throughout any development considerations and negotiations
• Provide total transparency and accountability to ALL residents on ALL government matters
• Fight for lower taxes and fiscal responsibility
• Reduce speeding with targeted speed bumps and lower speed limits on certain roads and find ways to reduce danger at certain bad intersections like Main and Coleman
• Reexamine the green bag waste collection system which consumes lots of plastic and is costly and cumbersome for some residents
• Explore providing additional transportation and recreation services to seniors
• Enforce zoning rules where applicable to downtown businesses with deteriorating facades, require garbage bins to be neatly kept behind stores, and improve the overall look of Main Street
• Repair or replace aging Fire Department equipment that may cause danger to firefighters or the public, and explore solutions to the looming concern of staff and volunteers within our EMS as a proactive effort instead of waiting for a problem down the road
• Update the Borough’s long-range financial plan
• Require multiple bids on all government contracts, unlike when the Democrat Council recently rubber-stamped the waste collection deal
• Work with Chatham Township to reestablish a joint recreation agreement
• Reexamine fees charged to nonresidents for parking at the train station
• Consider new shared-services agreements with other towns
• Find innovative ways to constrain municipal spending, while finding new revenue sources to fund essential services
• Restore balanced discussion on all issues and eliminate current dysfunction within the Borough’s local government

Voters can read more detail on my platform and positions at chathamnjgop.com/chathamboro

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing residents right now and what do you intend to do about it?

The staggering increase in local CRIME in the last 2 years! The Council should do more to actively protect us. Start by always showing law enforcement our full support. The concern is not just stolen cars but that dangerous ill-intentioned individuals are here almost every day now. There is a greater risk of home invasion or assault here, as has happened recently in bordering towns. We must solve this problem by listening to the needs of law enforcement and giving them the resources, tools, and technologies needed.

Chatham has seen an increase in car thefts over the past year or so. Do you think the town is doing enough to combat this issue? If not, what needs to be done to better prevent these crimes?

NO! The all-Democrat local government should be doing more to protect us. We must provide the police with more capability to monitor the entire Borough and apprehend dangerous criminals. This includes license plate readers, cameras, bait cars, and whatever else the police believe is needed. I also suggest sending a postcard periodically to every home telling people to lock their cars and homes, because not everyone gets the text alerts.

Most importantly, never tie the hands of the cops. Always show law enforcement 100 percent support. Don’t deny the problem is real and serious. The concern is not just stolen cars but that very bad people are in our neighborhoods day and night almost every day now. Eventually there will be a home invasion or assault as has happened recently in bordering towns. This is a terribly unfortunate and urgent situation.

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

I have handled numerous multi-million dollar business litigations from start to finish, producing positive results under complex and challenging circumstances. My professional work includes commercial litigation, insurance coverage cases, securities litigation, and negotiation and dispute resolution, all of which will help me to serve on the Borough Council. Also, I am a parent of two kids, which any parent knows is the most challenging and rewarding role in life, and that more than anything has helped me to grow as a person.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a dedicated father and husband who cares about our world and our town, and if I am elected I will work every week for you the residents – for ALL the residents – and I will focus on local concerns and how to make our Borough as great as it can be.

Voters can read more detail on my platform and positions at chathamnjgop.com/chathamboro