Summit Election Profile: How Beth Little Answered Our Questions

SUMMIT, NJ — Five candidates filed last spring to run for four seats in the primary election on the Summit Common Council this November.

During the June primary former Summit Police Chief Robert Weck missed the deadline to file to run for the 1st Ward seat as a Republican, but he led a write-in campaign and will face Democrat Councilman Andy Minegar for the seat.

The Summit Common Council consists of seven seats: three seats for each of two wards, and one “at large seat.” Each ward seat carries a three-year term, and the at-large seat is a two-year term.

Meet Beth Little

We’ll be featuring candidate profiles in the next two weeks. Below are candidate Beth Little’s answers to the questionnaire. Little, currently the Councilmember At Large, is running for re-election.

Age: 54

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family information:

My husband Bill and I moved to Summit in 2002. We have four children who all attended (or still attend) the Summit public schools. Kiera just graduated from Duke University, Connor attends Vanderbilt University, Ryan is a senior and Bryn is a junior at the high school.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education:
BA Commerce 1989 University of Virgina, JD Law 1995 University of Virginia

Occupation:
Councilmember at Large for the Summit Common Council 2018 - present.
College Support Advisor, Volunteer, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy 2020 - present.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:
Councilmember At Large, Summit Common Council 1918-Present
Assistant Merrimack County Attorney, Merrimack County, NH 1995-1999

Campaign website:
bethlittle.org

1. Why are you seeking elective office?

Over the past four years as Summit’s Councilmember At Large, I have worked closely with the other members of Council and Summit’s city staff to accomplish the goals I set when I first ran for office in 2017 -- to be fiscally responsible while maintaining Summit’s high quality of life, to ensure a collaborative leadership in our local government that was transparent and inclusive and to support community programs and initiatives that make Summit an even better place to live, work and raise families. We have accomplished a great deal during that time, but there are still many ongoing opportunities and challenges. I want to use my experience, skills and relationships to continue to ensure that Summit is the best small city in New Jersey.

2. What is the single most pressing issue facing Summit, and how do you think you can help solve it?

I don’t think many residents would argue that the COVID pandemic continues to be Summit’s biggest challenge. The pandemic has deeply impacted our economic health as well as our physical and mental well-being and has touched every Summit resident in ways large and small. However, I believe this challenge can also lead to great opportunities for Summit to come back even stronger. This Council, alongside our outstanding city staff, has had to pivot and creatively engage with the community to rethink many issues. The creation of the parklets and the closing of Maple Street has led to a lively downtown ambience and experience of shared community that I want to see continue into the future. The use of the Community Center as a neighborhood vaccination site has demonstrated the importance of shared public health services and has led to some of the highest vaccination rates in the state. This Council also supported the expansion of GRACE to meet the needs of the food insecure in our community and formed Silver Summit, an advisory committee to address the concerns of Summit’s senior residents. I believe that we need Council members who are committed to making sure that we take the lessons learned during Summit’s darkest days to make sure that we return Summit to an even better normal.

3. What are the other issues that define your campaign platform?

Aside from the pandemic, I see the Broad Street Redevelopment and the construction of the new firehouse as the other big issues that the Council will be working on over the next few years. The Broad Street Redevelopment is an exciting opportunity for the city to transform low revenue city owned property into assets that will enhance the livability of the city while providing financial stability. In addition to expanding the tax base and providing for a new firehouse, the project will include diverse housing options, parking, and new public spaces. I am looking forward to continuing my work on the steering committee to make sure the Broad Street project is successful.

Other Summit Election Information From Patch

Two candidates are running for one of the Ward 2 seats. Incumbent Democrat Greg Vartan will face Republican David Fosgate in November.

And as mentioned above, Police Chief Weck is running as a write-in against Minegar for the 1st Ward seat.

Republican Lisa Allen filed to keep her 2nd Ward seat. She was appointed in February to fill out the term of Steven Bowman, who moved away. His term ends Dec. 31, 2022.

To see which ward you're located in, click the street list here.

The primaries for the Democratic and Republican nomination in New Jersey will be held June 8, with the general election Nov. 2.

Learn more about the Summit Common Council and its members here.

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