Business Owner Richard Wasserman Seeks Your Support – TAPinto.net

Public and community service has always been a top priority for me. I’ve lived an incredibly blessed life and I feel very strongly about “giving back” to my community!

As a successful business owner for 30 years and an active community volunteer, I will bring business experience and commitment to our community, and to the Township Committee. With three new real estate developments coming to Millburn-Short Hills (Mack Cali, Wells Fargo, and Chatham Road) that includes over 300 residential units and a hotel at the Short Hills Mall in the next two to three years, our town has a challenge and opportunity in managing this growth. We will not only benefit from the energy and diversity of our new residents who will be shopping and dining in town but also from the new ratables and tax dollars that will come to our township.

We have to be proactive and make sure that we plan now to make sure that our infrastructure will support these residents. To do that we must work with our traffic engineer to ensure that our traffic flows efficiently. We need to collaborate with our police to increase pedestrian and traffic safety. And finally, work with our partners at all levels of government including Congressman Tom Malinowski, Assembly members McKeon and Jasey and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo to make improvements to NJ Transit so that our residents have access to reliable public transportation.

As a business owner, negotiation is an important skill. When we’re negotiating with developers who purchase property and want to build in our town, that we get the best possible deal for our residents. We need to make sure developers are held accountable and are committed to being good neighbors.

Additionally, I believe we should continue to invest in our town website so it is even more informative and responsive to our citizens. The website was recently upgraded so residents receive a quick response when they submit a question or concern. Also, we could have an email blast system so our town could communicate directly with its citizens through email. This would take some time and investment but I believe it would be well worth it. With email, our town would be able to send a weekly or monthly newsletter to its residents.

As a 28 year resident of our township, with four children who have gone through our excellent schools, I have extensive relationships in our township with our Township Committee, our town administrator, as well as with our local elected officials.

In fact, I have been endorsed in this election by Assemblyman John McKeon, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Congressman Tom Malinowski, Senator Richard Codey and County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. I hope to build on these relationships, so we can make sure that our township receives its fair share from the county and state. I believe these relationships will help me be an effective committee member. I also pride myself on attending almost every Township Committee Meeting for the past 3 years, so I am knowledgeable about all the current issues.