Election 2022: Neil Sullivan For Mendham Borough Council

MENDHAM, NJ — Candidates are set for the Mendham Borough Council race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the candidates vying for the open seats on the Council, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the local community.

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

Here are candidate Neil Sullivan's answers below:

• Name: Neil Sullivan
• Age: 45
• Town of residence: Mendham Borough
• Position sought: Town Council
• Party affiliation: Republican
• Family: My family’s roots in Mendham Borough date back to the mid-90s. My mother and step father moved to a home on Lowery Lane in 1994. While not living with my mom as a teenager, I visited often and resided at that residence for a few years after college. My wife (Maureen) and I purchased our first home in Mendham Borough in 2012. With Maureen, we have three elementary age children in the Mendham Borough public school system and an adopted dog named Rex.

• Education: I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics & Economics from Lafayette College in Easton, PA and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
• Occupation: Successful Corporate Finance career spanning 20+ years with experience in Big 4 Accounting and Pharma. For the last eight years I have held finance positions with increasing scope and responsibility at a Fortune 15 company.
• Previous or current elected appointed office: I was voted in by Mendham Borough Council to fill Mary Sue Martin’s vacant seat on Council in February 2022.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to give back to the community that has treated my family and I so well over the last ten plus years. I have gravitated towards public service ever since I grew roots here in Mendham. As a father of three young children in the public school system I have a vested interest in seeing this town succeed.

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

If elected, my top priorities in no specific order include:

• Providing the best quality services while maintaining a fiscally prudent budget
• Aid small businesses through improvements to Borough’s Historic Business District
• Invest in our recreational facilities (playgrounds, ball fields) and open space areas

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

There are a few pressing issues living in the great state of New Jersey that are out of our control: cost of living, high property taxes, skyrocketing inflation and interest rates (national issue). With age demographics in Mendham Borough slowly shifting to younger families, I believe having more varied options on Main Street, while protecting the integrity of the Historic District, would benefit our town. To drum up business we need to capitalize on a handful of events that occur in the Borough throughout the year that bring people to town (Pastime Carnival, Fall Fest, Holly Trail (MBA), Mansions in May (2023)).

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

While I’m proud of leadership accomplishments in my professional career and on the field as a Little League Coach, my most meaningful accomplishment that set me on a path of volunteering for the town was being Chairman of the Pastime Club Carnival. This experience showed me how members of a local organization can come together to host a community-wide, family friendly event. In this role I was tasked with communicating with all levels of local government, filing proper permits, and helping coordinate municipal department efforts. I was also the Chair of the Mendham Borough Economic Development Committee from 2019 – 2021 and was a member of the Mendham Borough Joint Land Use Board 2020 – 2021.

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

I’m proud to call Mendham Borough my home. We all contribute to make Mendham a great place to live. A true sense of volunteerism and love for the community is found in every corner of this patriotic town. If elected, I will continue to advocate on priority issues and will be ready to build the future with you. I would be honored and humbled to serve another term as your Council Member.