Election Profile: Tracy Cole For Fair Haven Council

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Two seats are open on the Fair Haven Borough Council and four candidates are running in the upcoming Nov. 2 election.

Republicans Tracy Cole and Elizabeth "Betsy" Koch (incumbent) are running against Democrats Robert Gasperini and Sonja Trombino for borough council.

Cole, 57, works in planning and design. The bulk of her professional work has been in downtown revitalization, starting with the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program, then Red Bank River Center and on to a multitude of other consulting projects throughout New Jersey.

She has also served as a member of Fair Haven's bicycle and pedestrian Active Transportation Plan and has been a technical advisor to non-profit community groups, quasi-governmental groups and local governments for their downtown revitalization efforts.

She has a bachelor's degree in planning from Penn State University and a master's degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina State University School of Design.

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Why are you seeking election?

I’m running for council to serve my community. I believe there is a lot of important work to do and at this moment in Fair Haven’s history. I believe I have experience that can be helpful.

Why should you be elected over other candidates?

In addition to their devotion to the community, I think each elected official brings something unique with them to the governing body. There is no other candidate or elected official with my credentials. I see that my experience has unique value at this particular time. We are in a period of transition shifting from a top-down approach to governance to a bottom-up approach to governance. Community outreach and engagement along with transparency and accountability will go a long way to re-establishing public trust and making sure council decisions fully reflect the values of our citizens.

What is the most important issue facing the Fair Haven community and what are you planning to do about it?

We must guard against overdevelopment, control taxes, continue to improve the safety of our pedestrian and bicycle environment, ensure our investments — whether they be maintenance or new construction — are functional and beautiful, prioritize maintenance and taking care of what we already have over expensive new construction projects and other large property acquisitions. I will bring my experience in community advocacy planning and design to the job to ensure that the public is properly engaged on these important issues.

What are other important issues you are running on?

If elected, as was one of six legislators I hope to join my fellow council people in an effort to re-establish public trust by working together to create a shared vision, undertake projects using the community development process (focus on outreach), clarify strategic planning goals, eliminate barriers to civic engagement, and make caring for our environment a priority.

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

I believe every member of our community has a right to be heard. And that our ideas get better when we listen to each other.