Watchung Council Democratic Candidate: Wendy Robinson

WATCHUNG, NJ —The race for a seat on the Watchung Borough Council is well underway, and the primary election is Tuesday, June 4. Patch has reached out to candidates, having them answer some questions on their experience, on the issues and themselves.

Here's what candidate Wendy Robinson had to say:

Description:

My name is Wendy Robinson and I am running for a seat on the Watchung Borough Council. As newlyweds in 1994, my husband and I naturally looked to Watchung. After growing up in nearby Westfield, I knew the town well and had spent time here when I was young. Bob and I were drawn to Watchung’s beauty, the large, wooded properties, and the great school system and we first lived on Ridge Road. When we wanted to relocate after eight years, we were committed to staying here because our family loved the town, and we found a lovely home on Hill Hollow. We have found it to be a wonderful place to raise our three children, who all attended Bayberry and Valley View Schools.

What experience do you have that would help you serve?

After graduating from the University of Bridgeport with a B.A. in Political Science and receiving my law degree from Rutgers School of Law – Newark, I spent most of my career on Wall Street, facilitating and maintaining ethical business development within the confines of a highly regulated industry. The knowledge and skills I developed through my education and in my career could be applied to consideration of town-governance issues, which also require principled decision-making within a complex set of laws and rules. In addition, I was proud to serve on the Watchung Board of Education from 2003 to 2011 and was the Board President from 2005 to 2008. During my tenure, I chaired the Negotiations Committee, completing three highly successful contract negotiations. I am also a qualified mediator on the roster of New Jersey’s court-approved civil mediators, enabling me to see complex issues from various sides and to work to creatively solve challenging problems. For the past decade, I have been lobbying local and state officials, and have worked with local governments to foster sustainable communities, save taxpayer dollars, and protect the health of residents.

What issues would you like to address in Watchung?

I want to help shape a strong sense of community among all who live in Watchung, which I believe will be promoted through the building of a combined library and community center where we can gather for town-wide events – even in the winter. Applying my knowledge of the Board of Education, I would like to work with the school district in appropriate ways to achieve the success we previously realized with our students, and in the process, improve our home values. I hope to capitalize on our borough’s natural beauty by taking positive steps to attract new residents and businesses, while respecting the needs of our long-time neighbors and friends. In addition, Trenton needs to hear our voices regarding our upcoming affordable housing requirements, the traffic congestion we face that will soon be exacerbated by developments in surrounding towns as well as ours, and the pressure to maintain our low taxes in the face of rising living expenses, particularly for seniors.

Why should voters vote for you?

I would bring a proactive approach to governing, anticipating the challenges we will face to our infrastructure and financial stability. My eagerness to strategize with the other council members to craft creative solutions to foreseeable problems would better equip Watchung to move forward, while responsibly managing our budget. I bring a cooperative, collaborative approach to my work, and want to bring Watchung’s citizens together to achieve an even more appealing and vibrant community. Voters should know that my decisions would be based on principle, not party, and would be reached through a transparent process that includes consideration of residents’ concerns. Residents can reach out to me at wendy4watchung@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you about your concerns.