Election 2021: Washington Twp. Candidate Michael Brunken

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Nov. 2 General Election is getting closer and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the election.

Editor's Note: Are you a candidate on the ballot? Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the General Election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) may contact jennifer.miller@patch.com.

One of these candidates is Democratic candidate Michael Brunken, who is challenging incumbent Republican Washington Township Committee Members Kenneth "Bill" Roehrich and Ken Short for one of the two available seats.

Brunken’s responses to Patch’s questions are below:

Name: Michael Brunken

Age: 32

Town of residence: Long Valley

Position sought: Township Committee

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: I have a younger brother. (Mother – Claire, Father – Mark, Brother – Matt) All live in Long Valley

Education: BA in Political Science and Economics from Lehigh University. BA in Graphic Arts from Rutgers University Camden

Occupation: Medical Supply Chain

Previous or current elected appointed office: None

Why are you seeking elective office?
I'm seeking office because I care about the future of Washington Township and I know I can positively shape that future as your Committee person.
In my work as part of a critical supply chain that ensures the timely delivery of health products to patients, I have to find greater efficiency in our processes to ensure we are meeting patient needs in the most effective way possible. I want to give back to my community by bringing that drive for efficiency to township government. I was a Republican from the time I turned 17 and I share Republican values such as fiscal responsibility, limiting the role of government where government intervention does not make sense, and individual liberty. I want the opportunity to give our residents more for their money.

The single most pressing issue facing us is recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What do you intend to do about it?
The most pressing issue is the continued health of our citizens, enabling them to live their lives without restriction or fear.
At the municipal level, I will use my platform as a public official to encourage every eligible person to get vaccinated and get the booster shot for the Delta variant once available. We are so fortunate to live in a country where our Federal and State Governments went all out to support the development of vaccines to ensure they were readily available to citizens. We need to do our part to protect the people around us who are immunocompromised and stop the proliferation of new Covid variants.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
We need more than "patch and pray" when it comes to our infrastructure of roads, water and sewage treatment. I support creating plans to solve our infrastructure problems and clearly communicating those plans to Washington Township citizens. Under the incumbent's leadership, it is hard to know how decisions are made or what the long term plan is. For example, we have a large backlog of road maintenance. Residents are wondering when their road will be repaired. It is the number one topic that residents bring up at committee meetings. We need a long term plan to ensure we prioritize routine maintenance going forward so that we can address small problems before they become a massive investment. There is a lack of effective planning and communication now.
Our commercial tax base is in decline, putting more of the property tax burden on our residents. We need to retain the businesses we have and attract new businesses to the township to add to the vibrance of downtown Long Valley. Neighboring townships with a larger commercial tax base have more money to use on programs that enhance their residents' quality of life.
In their 2020 water quality report, the Raritan Headwaters Association gave our water a grade of D+, declining from a B in 2019. The Raritan watershed provides drinking water to 1.5 million people as well as places for us to swim and fish. Local leadership is key to ensuring we arrest this downward trend and reverse it. Our water deserves more than a D+ rating.
We have started charging fees for services that were once included in our taxes. Parents with children in intramural sports now have to pay a field usage fee on top of their registration fee for each sport played. This might leave parents in the position of having to decide which sports they can afford to have their child play. A fee is a tax by another name and it hits those least able to pay the hardest.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I'm solutions oriented, I'm capable and I care. I'm part of a team that managed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of inventory through a global pandemic to limit stockouts and ensure patients could get their medicine on time. In order to do this, I had to collaborate, innovate, and remain flexible. All of these skills are transferable to township government. I managed through unexpected problems, finding every out of the box way to meet patient needs. I can use those same skills to create a better future for all of us here in Washington Township.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
Speak your mind. Nothing changes if you stay silent.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.