Candidate Profile 2021: Michael Menche, Mayor Of Lambertville

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — Michael Menche, a business development manager, is running as an Independent candidate for mayor of Lambertville.

His opponent, Andrew Nowick, is a Democrat and former concierge and manager who has served on a variety of boards and advisories in the area. Current mayor Julia Fahl is not seeking reelection.

The general election is set for Nov. 2.

Here's Menche's profile, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

Wife Courtney and two children, Lola and Roland, at Lambertville Public School

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor's Degree from Duke University

Occupation

Business Development Manager at Princeton Consultants, a national tech solutions and services firm. Overall, 33 years in business development and marketing for professional services companies. Before that, 10 years as a caddie at a golf club (ages 12-21).

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.ilikemikeforlamber...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running independently to be your voice and everyone’s Mayor. My candidacy means for the first time in many years all of Lambertville will have a choice for Mayor in this general election. If I’m elected, all of you will have a voice. I will work with all residents, regardless of party affiliation, to improve our City. Running independently--taking the difficult path and securing nomination directly by the people—demonstrates I am the listener and leader that Lambertville needs.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Unaffordable, unfair, unacceptable tax increases — 25%-30% over the last 3 years — are burdening our people. City Hall’s wasteful spending is driving these tax increases and it must be stopped. We can and we must find cost savings and other sources of revenue to keep Lambertville clean, safe, and affordable.

My pledge as mayor is a 0% increase in your municipal tax payment. You won’t pay a single dollar more in City tax.

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

I oppose the proposed relocation of the Police Station site, especially after the flood. Its execution would create enormous, unnecessary financial burdens and risk for Lambertville. We can create alternative mechanisms to address the development of the five required units.

I oppose what has become the status quo that favors the development of luxury units. We will enforce responsible development, encourage new, affordable housing for owners and renters, and maintain a diversity of income levels. We must embrace the preservation of our treasured assets like the Library, City Hall, the Pittore Justice Center, and we must maintain and upgrade public properties like Cavallo Park, Ely Field, and the Lambertville Public School hillside.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Our taxes keep going up, but our essential services and infrastructure are deteriorating. We’re not getting what we’re paying for. Let’s focus on the fundamentals like trash pickup, snow removal, Sparkle Week, street sweeping, and the repair of hazardous streets, public sidewalks, and parking lots. We can reestablish Lambertville as a leader in environmental protection and sustainability, safeguard our vulnerable River Town from flooding and climate change, and improve our drinking water. Let’s work together to make sure that Lambertville remains a desirable, livable city for all residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

After Hurricane Ida, together we can strengthen our disaster planning, warning, and public communication systems. We can strengthen our emergency response resources and procedures, and make sure they are integrated with the County and with other agencies to be as effective as possible. Given the frequency of flooding, we will make flood prevention and mitigation a consistent priority of our City government. We can work with environmentalists, engineers, planners, and government officials to create a sustainability plan for Lambertville, an environmentally sensitive, rural area that can’t accommodate overdevelopment. This long-term work will require dedication and a lot of patience--it will take place during all three years of the next City administration and beyond.

Let’s launch a transformative grant-winning and fundraising program. Outside funds are required to preserve and upgrade our historic assets like the Library, City Hall, the Closson Property and Sheridan Park, as well as properties like Cavallo Park, Ely Field, and the Lambertville Public School hillside.

Our Business District is vital to Lambertville’s identity and economic health, and it can be revitalized. Bureaucratic hurdles that hamper economic success will be removed. Through strategic promotion and programs, we will celebrate our distinctive, artistic community.

We will keep Lambertville proactively inclusive for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Faithful to Lambertville’s community spirit, we will promote diversity and support human rights initiatives.

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

President of the Lambertville Historical Society, I have served the community through a variety of popular activities for many years:

Managing the historic restoration of the old Jail, a $210,000 project funded through County grants that I secured and that require no City funds. The centrally located City-owned landmark closed since 1966, will become a flexible space for cultural and educational activities.

Initiating and conducting many live and virtual programs, including expert presentations, panel discussions, tours, exhibits, and concerts.

Conducting an annual holiday music fundraiser that features local artists and involves music production and live and virtual concerts. This year is our 10th anniversary!

Produced the 2020 Virtual Lambertville House Tour, a virtual program that featured nine video tours that I researched, wrote and directed, and three guest presentations by Lambertville architects.

Profiled local residents, watched shad hauling, walked through the Mt. Hope Cemetery, and shared histories of the Kalmia Club and other local institutions and buildings. Enjoy the LHS blog.

Work with longtime Lambertville residents to create free online assets, such as the JB Kline Vintage Postcard Gallery and Lambertville Postal History from the Collection of Jim Walker. I’ve also created a custom Google map, the LHS YouTube channel, and added many resources such as old movies and maps to the LHS Links page.

I’ve promoted Lambertville for years through social media. In 2012 I created the Shadfest Facebook page and diligently posted thousands of photos and links--the page has more than 3,000 followers and I recently turned over administration to the Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce. For 10 years I’ve managed the LHS Facebook page, followed by more than 1,900 people, posting hundreds and hundreds of photos, videos, event listings, and links in support of local history.

Engaging Lambertville students by creating and conducting scholarship programs and presentations such as 2019’s Dialogue About History.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value." Albert Einstein.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

After Hurricane Ida, my heart goes out to everyone who is coping and rebuilding, and to everyone who is helping in so many ways. The ongoing community assistance continues to be miraculous and inspiring! My wife, Courtney, and I have been through flooding before, but this time is worse. We have been overcome with emotion and gratitude for the volunteers who’ve brought food, drink and smiles, provided hugs and child care, moved furniture and debris, scooped muck...the list goes on and on...

City responders and personnel have been absolute heroes. We salute and support the aid for Lambertville residents who’ve been devastated by the flood—so many still need help with housing, food and basic needs.

I’ve been talking with neighbors, environmentalists, engineers, planners, and government officials. There is hope for Lambertville—and a lot of work ahead of us.

We are staying strong. Lambertville Strong.