Election 2022: John Jackson, Red Bank Borough Council

RED BANK, NJ — Democrat John Jackson is one of four candidates seeking two full-term seats on the Red Bank Borough Council in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, candidate provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch will publish individual profiles on the candidates, leading up to the election.

Democratic John Jackson sees overdevelopment in the borough as a priority and he says he would review and improve development ordinances so they promote growth while not further burdening the town's resources. He also said quality of life issues are important, such as making borough streets safer for pedestrians and controlling traffic flow and enforcing speed limits.

Read more from candidate John Jackson:

Name: John Jackson

Age: 51

Town of residence: Red Bank

Position sought: Council

Are you an incumbent or previous governing member? Unlike my running mate, Councilwoman Angela Mirandi, I’m not an incumbent. I have been elected to positions on the Municipal Committees of Red Bank, Monmouth County and Bergen County.

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: facebook.com/mirandijacksonforRBcouncil

Family: One daughter, adopted at age 8 and raised as a single parent. She is now 23 and finishing up her bachelor’s degree.

Education: M.A. Communications, William Paterson University; B.A. Communications, Seton Hall University.

Occupation: Writer in healthcare communications

Name the top issues currently facing your town and how you plan to address them:

• Overdevelopment—The town has outgrown itself. Our infrastructure (eg, water, sewer) is stretched to the max. Red Bankers face significant financial and quality of life issues such as high taxes, traffic, and the danger pedestrians face trying to cross the streets.

As a Council member, I would review and enhance development ordinances to ensure that they promote growth while not further burdening our town's resources. Right now, that's not happening. Proposals by builders today are not adhering to ordinance: no setbacks (building to the sidewalks), exceeding density standards, and insufficient parking plans

I support appointing to the Planning and Zoning Boards objective professionals who would adhere to the new Master Plan and borough ordinances.

• Financial responsibility—I am a single, working parent as well as a homeowner myself. Those make me sensitive to the financial needs of residents, especially during these times. I support a balanced budget and reserves for a “rainy day.”

I also support the tax-saving initiatives started by Councilwoman Mirandi, a longtime financial professional and former CPA. She's accomplished much in her tenure on Council: achieving the lowest municipal budget tax change in 6 years! I advocate and support her serving as Chair of the Finance Committee to help further reduce the tax burden to residents.

• Quality of life (QOL): Overdevelopment has severely impacted the QOL of residents in our town. It takes inordinately longer to drive across town and it can be dangerous to cross the street. I live on a busy street near a major intersection and sometimes I can't pull out of my driveway without risk.

As a council member, I will advocate to enforce speed limits, especially near schools and residential areas. We need to introduce more measures that promote safer driving, eg, four-way stops (currently under consideration with the council).

We cannot simply put the responsibility of self-policing on drivers, as was incredulously suggested at a recent council meeting. The council must take legislative action.

Traffic flow at major congested arteries such as Newman Springs Road, Shrewsbury Avenue and Broad Street need to be addressed. When elected, I will work with county and state agencies to improve roads that are not under Red Bank's jurisdiction.

• Additional goal: I put myself forward as a candidate to stop the infighting and divisive rhetoric that has come to characterize Red Bank politics. As residents can see in the press and social media, our opposition and even some Democrats, continue attacks that actually create the chaos. As a Red Bank Councilperson, I will do what I’ve done in my personal and professional lives—put my words into action.

What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office:

I’ve been elected to Municipal Committees in Red Bank and in my former hometown in Bergen County. I was also appointed by Mayor (Pat) Menna to serve on Red Bank's Human Relations Advisory Committee, which aligns completely with my own values: giving back and advocating for equality and representation.

To that point, being community-oriented and advocacy are areas where I have also put my words into action: I am a member of the LGBTQ+ Democratic caucuses at the county and state levels. I have also volunteered for decades: with Rescue Ridge Animal Rescue of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Lunch Break after moving to Red Bank, and in the Buddy Program with GMHC in NYC, caring for people living with HIV.

Candidates for Red Bank Mayor and Borough Council:

Mayor (Full Term, Vote for One)

• William J. Portman (Democrat)
• No Nomination Made for the Republican party

Borough Council (Full Term, Vote for Two)

• Mark D. Taylor (Republican)
• Jonathan Penney (Republican)
• Angela Mirandi (Democrat)
• John L. Jackson (Democrat)