Alphabetical Order
Kevin Bachorik (R – incumbent)
I have called Dunellen my home since 1988. My children were born at Muhlenburg Regional Medical Center and benefited from the Dunellen public school system.
I became involved in town functions when my oldest daughter was four years old. From coaching T-ball, running the T-ball League, coaching girls softball, and also serving as president of the Dunellen Little League. It has been my pleasure to have served this community and an honor to have worked alongside other Dunellen residents who gave so freely of their time as well.
I got involved in town affairs because I started to complain about things. I did not attend the council meeting to merely complain, I attended it so that I could see how things work and understand the process better. Once I realized that there was so much that I did not know, I decided that I didn’t have the right to complain unless I got involved first. I met with the mayor, Bob Seader, and asked if I could help and learn. He put me on the planning board where I got to see how government works specifically local government. After serving close to two years, I ended up as the vice chairman of the planning and zoning board of Dunellen. Then I was asked to run for town council.
I am running for reelection as a council member because I wish to finish what I started many years ago. I want to see the redevelopment and the revitalization of the town that I live in and love so much. As a founding member of the Dunellen redevelopment agency I have seen first hand the difficulties that arise in taking on a task of this proportion. The private parties involved, as well as all of the government agencies that have to be satisfied before each step can be completed and the next one started. I feel that I am uniquely qualified to complete this undertaking, having been a part of it every step along the way.
My knowledge of zoning and planning of this town, combined with my experience and knowledge of the redevelopment process, specifically in this town, makes me an asset to my fellow residents and I look forward to seeing this through to the end.
I want to thank my fellow residents of Dunellen for giving me the opportunity to serve all these many years, and I ask them to continue their support and allow me the privilege to continue to serve this great town.
Jessica Dunne (D)
I was inspired to run for Council because I recognized that Dunellen’s current Council — all male and all Republican — represents a small segment of the population of our town. As a working mother of three, I would bring balance to the Council as well as a first-hand knowledge of the needs of Dunellen families.
As council member, I have three priorities. First, I want to find space in the budget to improve the community while providing savings to families strapped in today’s economy. Dunellen may have limited funds for new projects, but our parks require maintenance and our roads need repairs. As the director of discovery research at JDRF, I know how to work within a budget. At work, I am responsible for budget planning and spending around $15 million each fiscal year. This experience gives me the skills needed to examine local budgets and allocate resources in a way that makes sense for everyone in the community.
I also want to develop the transit village, which has not seen any noticeable improvements since its designation. I walk to the train daily, and I’d like to see our downtown modeled after those on the Raritan Valley Line, such as Somerville, Cranford, or Westfield. I will work with the business community to attract businesses and create a more pedestrian-friendly space.
Finally, I will focus on public safety. A lifelong runner, I have logged over 600 miles in 2017 on the streets of Dunellen. This gives me an up-close perspective on the safety of our neighborhoods. I sprained an ankle in a pothole this summer and have seen the need for improved street lighting. I have also paid careful attention to crime reports. We need to start fighting crime at the local level by ensuring that our police officers have the resources they need.
My education and background provide me with unique perspective to bring to Dunellen. I received my B.S. from Johns Hopkins University and my Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, both in the field of Biomedical Engineering. With my training as a scientist, I could have taken my career in a number of directions, but I have found my passion in fighting for others and being a voice for the community through my work at JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. I am uniquely qualified through my work as a scientist, working in a non-profit, to fight for the families of Dunellen.
My commitment to Dunellen runs deep. My children participate in local recreation sports; my husband, Chris Washburn, started and runs the popular Dunellen Flag Rugby program, and we are active in St. John’s Catholic Church. I will work to ensure that our town remains a thriving, safe community for families.
Nathan Hewette-Guyton (D)
I ask for your vote for Dunellen Borough Council. I chose to run in response to the growing reports of criminal activity in Dunellen and stagnant property values. I’m a trial attorney uniquely qualified to help meet the challenge of addressing crime in our small town.
I founded the law firm Hewette Guyton Gareis after 10 years as a leading Union County Assistant Prosecutor investigating and prosecuting felony criminal offenses including homicide, child abuse, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, distribution of controlled substances and many more. I earned my Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America in 2005 and my Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude, from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2002. Before joining the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, I served as a law clerk in the legal research department of the Superior Court of Connecticut advising judges on a wide variety of legal issues including land use law, contract law, negligence/personal injury law and criminal law. I am admitted to practice law in all New Jersey state courts, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the U.S. Supreme Court. I have been been recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, a distinction shared by only 242 attorneys and prosecutors throughout the State of New Jersey.
In Dunellen, I will fight to increase property values. Increasing property values is about executing the basic functions of local government expertly so that every prospective homebuyer will want to live here. In Dunellen, now, we’re missing the mark.
I will work with our Police Department to make Dunellen a place criminals talk about and say, “Don’t go there. Dunellen Police solve crimes, develop quality evidence and partner with local and county prosecutors for an extraordinary conviction rate.”
I will work to expand and modernize athletic and recreational facilities and programs. Our kids deserve modern and safe recreational facilities. Today, our parks are neither modern nor safe and in some instances represent a financial and legal liability to taxpayers. Our young athletes need a wider variety of sporting opportunities and our seniors need a space more their own.
I will work to better maintain our infrastructure and the roads we all use everyday: Not half the road, the whole road.
I will never use the excuse, “It’s not in the budget.” Instead, I will listen to Dunellen residents, prioritize the initiatives that are important to the people and set long-term achievable revenue goals that do not raise taxes.
And most importantly, I will require that our municipal government communicate with ALL Dunellen residents in a timely way about every important issue and debate that affects their lives.
http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/CS/Documents/Elections/2017%20General/Dunellen.pdf
(Statements have been edited to meet format)