7 running for four at-large freeholder seats in Democratic primary – New Jersey Hills

Four incumbents and three challengers are seeking four at-large seats on the Essex County Board of Freeholders in the Democratic primary Tuesday, July 7.

Anthony Diaz and Romaine Graham did not respond to requests for information about their qualifications and reasons for running.

Graham won a one-year term on the board in November. She was appointed to fill a freeholder seat in February 2019 after the death of Lebby Jones.

Sabre Burroughs

The Newark-based community advocate is an educator in social justice and vegan nutrition. As co-founder of the Newark Water Coalition, she has worked people in and near Newark on issues of water rights since 2018 and on affordable housing with Newark Homes for All.

“I grew up in a family of activists and organizers, which gave me early training in effective community engagement and methods of building social cohesion. I first began to apply and build on these skills in my role as vice president of my high school class and later as vice president of the Amnesty International chapter at the College of New Jersey,” she said.

She also was a student-leader of PRISM (an on-campus LGBTQIA advocacy organization), leading public relations and communications.

Burroughs has a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Women & Gender Studies from the College of New Jersey, where she graduated magna cum laude. She also completed a certification in Sports Nutrition with the International Sports Medicine Association.

Her main goal if she is elected freeholder is to raise the standard for transparency with county expenditures. She would use consulting and auditing to create more fiscal responsibility and fairness of allocated resources. “I want to improve the transparency on decisions that have an environmental impact. For this, we need more public conversations and proper oversight.

She also wants to tackle property taxes in Essex County, which she said are the highest in the state, raising the costs for tenants. “I suggest sharing services that we pay for as county residents to relieve some of that responsibility.”

Among the biggest issues facing the county is failing infrastructure, she said. “The roads and the water infrastructure need better maintenance.”

Environmental issues need resolution too, she noted. “Look at the cases of asthma in the county due to the air quality.”

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, she had to get creative in her campaign and had been meeting relevant organizations who want to canvass in different digital spaces. As some restrictions are limits, she expects to meet with small groups of people to discuss the issues.

Brendan Gill

Gill has served for nine years as a district freeholder and freeholder at large. He was elected president of the board two years ago.

“I believe my experience on the board, coupled with other personal experiences in government, including Congress and the Senate, have prepared and tempered me as the best person for the position.

“I am proud to have led the board while working in tandem with the administration as the county achieved a Aaa bond rating, putting the county in a better position to receive lower interest rates and attract more prospective investors when we issue bonds. Furthermore, our park system and Turtleback Zoo complex is second to none.”

Having been born and raised in Essex County offers a unique perspective about the needs of residents, he said. Examples of his responsiveness to residents’ needs include sensitivity to open space, gun violence awareness, and fair and open elections, “all initiatives I have advocated and written legislation.” “Thankfully, we are experiencing favorable progress regarding all of these issues.”

His goals if re-elected would be:

• To continue to guide the county through the COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate the re-opening and economic recovery of the county. He would promote better utilization of testing sites, food distribution for those who are food-insecure, and help the state re-open in a safe and efficient manner.

• To foster unity across the county by continuing to advocate rehabilitation between law enforcement and the communities/municipalities they serve. Increasing protocols and best practices can help bridge the gap, he said.

• To promote the cultivation and development of the Hudson Greenway project, which supports his ideals of preservation of open spaces and safe and adequate options for transportation. The options include the ability to hike, bike and take transit routes for better local connection and environmental safety.

“For those who may not know, the Hudson Greenway is an 11-mile corridor, running from Montclair through Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark and Kearny before reaching Jersey City. It is an excellent opportunity for a greenway or rail trail that would provide recreational and commuting options (and) connect people to communities, parks and other destinations along the route. It could potentially increase property values, ease local congestion on roads, and provide a safe, off-road place for people to ride and walk.

Gill listed as the top three issues facing the county:

• Property taxes, which he will to keep down “to promote affordability for property owners.” “Also, to ensure fiscal responsibility by relying on our Aaa Bond rating allowing a portion stable and lower by making smart decisions.”

• Election security. “I will fight to implement paper-ballot voting machines to protect our democracy by providing an auditable system with certified paper ballots. Currently, Essex County is setting a precedent in this regard and will roll out new machines once in-person voting is restored.”

• Essex County’s contract with Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE). “I am diligently working toward a plan to responsibly wind down the contract with ICE. I maintain and reiterate that I am against holding undocumented immigrants in jails, where they endure punitive criminal consequences for alleged civil offenses – the civil offense being their immigration status.

“I fought for an oversight Civilian Task Force,” which was to be implemented June 10. “This was a collaborative effort between the county, advocacy groups, faith-based organizations and concerned citizens of Essex County and beyond. We are the first in the entire nation to implement an oversight body for a correctional facility without a court order. We are hopeful this is the first of many steps toward an eventual winddown.

Regarding campaigning during a pandemic, Gill said, “It is challenging, but we are doing all that we can to utilize social media platforms including Zoom, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to maintain communication and visibility. In addition, conducting Town Halls, telephone banks and wellness checks on our elderly neighbors will assist us in running an aggressive but accessible campaign.”

Simone Jelk-Bandison

The Essex County resident said she “decided to become the change I sought.”

“For years, I have been advocating for transparency and change throughout East Orange and Essex County. I live here, I raise my children here and have built my business here and most of all I care.”

She was appointed to the Ethics Committee by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, has coached basketball and taught in East Orange for two years.

She has two degrees from George Mason University and four medical licences.

Jelk-Bandison was board president for the first and the oldest Pop Warner Football and Cheer Organization in Essex County, a East Orange Chamber of Commerce board member and East Orange Junior Jaguar Pop Warner Organization board member.

“I give out bookbags and haircuts before the start of the school year. I volunteer all throughout Essex County. distributing water and food to those in need. In short. I am committed to the betterment of Essex County.”

Her goals if elected are to bring democracy back and give people hope that we can make a change.

“We are not stuck with political party bosses’ appointments to what is and should be elected positions.”

Among the many issues facing the county are clean water, housing, ICE detention camps, tax dollars used for zoo expansion, failing school systems and now massive unemployment and racial injustice, she said.

It has been hard to campaign during the pandemic “because your first instinct is to want to go out and meet the people and ask for their vote.”

“So we are in the house, being teacher, parent, principal etc. I am trying the best I can to reach as many people as I can.”

Rufus Johnson

Among his qualifications, Johnson cited 12 years on the Essex County Freeholder Board as a freeholder at large, 17 years as chief of staff to Sen. Ronald Rice and 16 years as an aide to Rice when he was a ward municipal councilman.

Johnson said he always has taken grassroots approaches to resolve issues in the community and to fight for ways to improve residents’ quality of life, such as affordable housing, job training and mentoring young people through after-school programs and activities.

If re-elected, he promised to continue the fight to keep the taxes down and stable, enhance public safety and expand Essex County Community College and county technical schools.

The top issues facing the county are the coronavirus and its effects on the economy. He said he would work with public health-care officials and elected officials to ensure the safety of residents and to ensure that the county continues to have a triple A bond rating. “Preserving small businesses in Essex County would be a priority as well.”

Regarding education, he wants to make sure that the schools can remain operational, sanitary and safe.

Johnson would continue to provide educational opportunities for the youth and expand the educational curriculum to better prepare young people to compete in the global economy.

He has been using social media to campaign. “Virtual campaigning is the new norm.” To raise funds and connect with donors, there have been a lot of Zoom calls and virtual meetings in addition to phone calls.

Patricia Sebold

“I was raised in a family where I was taught that it is always important to work for the community and help make a better life for everyone,” Sebold said.

She became a teacher became many of her immediate relatives were teachers. “I spent 30 wonderful years teaching at West Orange High School prior to my election to the Freeholder Board.”

She has served six years as a member of the Vocational Technical Board of Education and is a former member of the Essex County College Board of School Estimate. She currently serves on the Vo-Tech Board of School Estimate.

To help improve the quality of life for all residents of Essex County, Sebold tries to be “cognizant of their disparate needs and to do so in the most cost-effective manner possible to temper the impact on taxpayers.” Those needs include supportive social services, recreational facilities and programs, infrastructure improvements, educational opportunities, and the pursuit of environmental justice and safe neighborhoods.

“Strongly believing that our environment is important to our quality of life,” she is the freeholder representative on the Essex County Environmental Commission. “We meet regularly and work diligently for better land for all the residents of Essex County.”

She believes that all segments of the population must be treated equally. “I also believe strongly in social justice for all. We are all in this together to make a better world. We must improve the life of everyone. I commit myself to working hard for all people.”

She said the county budget is probably the most important responsibility of a freeholder.

“Campaigning during a pandemic and living through a pandemic is something I have never before encountered in my lifetime.” She is using social media, sending letters to residents, making many phone calls, mailing information and working with many volunteers who want to contribute to her campaign.