Meet the candidates for Jamesburg mayor and where they stand on the issues
Longtime Jamesburg Mayor Marlene Lowande, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Thomas Gibbons for reelection.
Lowande is running with incumbent Thomas Goletz and Bertin Lefkovic, who are seeking two three-year seats on the Borough Council.
Gibbons is running alone on the ballot.
Marlene Lowande (D)
Age: 58
Years residing in town: 37
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Councilmember 2001-2004, mayor since 2012.
Why are you running for mayor?
I have been mayor for 12 years and I feel there is more I would like to do. I am willing to do what is necessary to achieve the results that make our town better every day. From keeping the streets clean to community events and supporting sports programs for the kids.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I hope the residents know how much I care about them and Jamesburg. I will continue to work hard and get as much for Jamesburg as I possibly can to help the town and the residents. I have proven that I am a hard worker, and I am willing to take on any task that will bring a better quality of life to the residents.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
Taxes are always the number one concern, especially in a small town.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
Flooding is a huge concern in Jamesburg. We received a $1 million grant this year for the Wigwam Pond area. That is the area that floods Forsgate Drive and Downtown West Railroad Avenue. Another challenge is getting our Police Department fully operational. We flooded during Henri and Ida. We are using a temporary space but are planning on some remodeling of Borough Hall to get them up and running properly. Finding new way to be fiscally responsible by seeking out more grants and shared services that help the town without adding further costs or burdens on the residents as we did with our police department and Helmetta.
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Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
We just recently reopened our Public Library totally renovated. They were also flooded and now we have a new Library and Community Center for all residents to enjoy. The library was a 10-year-long project, and it was finally made a reality.
What would you do to bring new businesses to Jamesburg?
Business downtown is growing. There are not many empty store fronts. Many new businesses were set back because of COVID and asked for extensions on their projects. Working with them and giving them time to recover is important. We are doing car shows weekly, concerts downtown and many new businesses are opening and being celebrated. It really is a great little downtown.
Thomas Gibbons (R)
Age: 71
Years residing in Jamesburg: 48
Previous government service (boards and elected office): One term as a Jamesburg councilman, former president of the Board of Trustees of Jamesburg Library, vice president of Fernwood Cemetery Trustees, lector and religious education teacher for St. James the Less Church, member of the Jamesburg Historical Association and the Knights of Columbus.
Volunteer activities: Founder of the Bicycle Recycle Project, now in its sixth year. I receive and fix donated bicycles that I give to recent immigrants and other people in need. Founder of Instruments in the Attic, a foundation I started last year in my wife’s memory, which provides scholarships to promising music students. I collect used instruments and donate them to schools for students who parents cannot afford rentals.
Why are you running for mayor?
It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but my late wife was against it. Truth is, I’ve lived in Jamesburg for four decades and see so much potential that hasn’t been developed. Jamesburg residents deserve better.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
While I support the police wholeheartedly, in all her years in office, Marlene Lowande has consistently supported the special interests of one individual, the police chief. She’s failed to lead on her own, ignoring the needs of businesspeople and her constituency.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
The following three: Lowande’s performance as the police chief’s puppet; the elementary school curriculum, which fails to adequately prepare Jamesburg’s students for their entry into Monroe High School; and unnecessary spending, which has led to our high taxes and little to show for it.
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What are the three biggest challenges to my town and my approach to solving them?
Budget. I want to see a zero-based budget, looking at every item on it and reining in unnecessary spending.
Elementary school curriculum. I’d like to foster meetings between Jamesburg and Monroe superintendents to align our curriculum, school calendar and professional in-service days.
A blighted downtown. We need to get a business improvement district and/or Chamber of Commerce to boost our local restaurants and other businesses. I hope to find someone to finally take over our legendary Mendoker’s Bakery, which has been vacant for seven years, and was the heart of our downtown.
Do I have any special project you would like to achieve in office?
Finishing the restoration of Buckelew Mansion, now sadly in disrepair. I’d also like to improve recreation services for both seniors and children by sharing services with surrounding communities. In cooperation with Middlesex County, I would like to establish an ADA-compliant recreation area for physically challenged individuals.
What would you do to bring new businesses to Jamesburg?
Lower business taxes, for one. Also, as cited before, restarting a Chamber of Commerce toempower the business community. I’d like to make Jamesburg a dining destination, with special offers and perhaps even a shuttle bus. I will look to surrounding communities that have successful downtowns and duplicate their success.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Jamesburg NJ mayor election candidate profiles
