Summit City Council Ward 1 General Election 2025: Jaclyn Lasaracina

NEW JERSEY - The general election season is in full swing in the Garden State and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before Nov. 4.

Editor's Note: 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. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

Name: Jaclyn Lasaracina

Age: 41

Town of residence: Summit, NJ

Position sought: Summit Council, Ward 1

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Husband and two kiddos (Ages five and two)

Education: Princeton undergrad; law degree from George Washington University Law School; wrapping up Masters in public administration at UNC

Occupation: Former attorney and corporate executive; community volunteer

Previous or current elected or appointed office: NA

Why are you seeking office?

Living in Summit is a childhood dream come true, and I feel so lucky to be raising my family here. Summit has all the resources we need to be the best place in America. We just need the right leadership to manage those resources responsibly.

I am confident I have the professional and community experience we need on council so our local government can operate with excellence.

I’m a corporate governance professional. I practiced corporate and employment law for about 15 years and have worked as an executive at both public and private companies.

I’ve led high-performance teams, managed multi-million dollar budgets, and successfully overseen complex transactions.

From my legal practice, I learned the importance of listening actively to understand my client’s goals, and of working creatively and strategically to achieve smart growth. From my community experience, including as a member of Summit Public Art and chair of the leadership council for Room to Grow, I have learned the value of focusing on shared values, on the common ground we can find in our communities to bring us together.

What additional measures would you suggest to build on what Summit Police have rolled out regarding safety on electronic bikes and scooters?

Two priorities on this really serious issue:

1. Traffic calming measures.

We are overdue for greater investment in traffic calming.

The City should send out a community-wide survey to identify safety hotspots and then determine the best solutions. One cost-effective measure is painting horizontal lines across the road. We see this in neighboring towns like Westfield and Millburn; the visual cue gets drivers to slow their speed.

2. Pilot of part-time safety ambassadors in the downtown and other key areas to help enforce the laws and rules regarding e-bikes and scooters.

We already ask our police to do so much, and we have great success with our part-time crossing guards. Would love to see a similar program for community safety ambassadors to help educate and enforce.

If you were to start your own Summit board or commission, what would it be for and why?

I have a plan for the Council's Partnership for Silver Summit (available here - https://www.jaclynforsummit.co/silver-summit). Our senior community deserves greater support.

What issues would you want to address, or areas would you want to highlight?

Our three strategic pillars are Public Safety, Public Schools, and Public Service.

On public safety, we need to take a whole view, including with respect to pedestrian and bike safety, as well as mental health. As a first step, we need to invest in community-wide traffic calming measures to better protect walkers and bicyclists.

I’d also like to consider hiring a dedicated social worker to partner with our police on rising mental health calls and provide support to our seniors, amongst other value-add support.

On public schools, we need to protect the excellence of our public education in Summit. My top priority is making sure we are budgeting responsibly and funding all the right things for our students.

And on public service, my top priority is responsible municipal budgeting so we can stop unnecessary property tax increases. Taxpayer dollars belong to the community, not City Hall.

When taxpayer funds are not managed responsibly, it creates an affordability issue through ever-increasing property taxes.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am confident in my experience, integrity, and ideas for how to make Summit even better.

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

As an attorney and executive at fast-paced technology companies, I learned a great deal about strategic leadership, the importance of active listening, and how to be a value-add partner. It all starts with people, whether in finding shared values in a tough negotiation or leading a team through a really complex transaction.

Because I got to work with really excellent people, I was able to successfully lead large-scale corporate acquisitions, financial transactions, and litigation matters. I've managed multi-million dollar budgets.

I am confident that my professional experience will be put to great use if I'm fortunate to earn a seat on Summit Council.

What's a motto you live your life by?

Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

What does it mean to you to represent Summit?

My life was saved in Summit, by my husband and Summit Police. Representing Summit would mean the opportunity to repay a very small part of the debt I owe our great town.

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