West Orange has some of the SMARTest residents anywhere. Our community asks thoughtful
questions and expects practical, responsible solutions. That’s why my campaign is built
around S.M.A.R.T. leadership that is focused, accountable, and rooted in real
experience.
I’m highlighting the “R” in S.M.A.R.T. — Rodent Control, Roads & Parking.
I’ve experienced rodent damage firsthand—my own car was even totaled due to rodents
chewing through the wiring! Along with traffic congestion and parking challenges, I
understand how these issues affect our daily lives.
I believe the rodent problem has been worsened by:
• Development projects that displace rodents, pushing them into neighboring areas.
Developers should work with pest control experts to implement mitigation measures before
excavation begins, at their cost.
• Abandoned homes, including one on my street that has sat empty for over a decade. The
health department, accompanied by police, should inspect these homes and take necessary
steps to eliminate rodent infestations.
• Garbage management. To reduce rodent access to food, I will work with developers, local
businesses, and community organizations to provide secure garbage canisters to residents
without using taxpayer dollars.
I am committed to collaborating with county authorities and local experts to find lasting
solutions that keep West Orange safe and clean.
As a CPA and lifelong West Orange resident, I believe road infrastructure should be data-
driven, transparent, and well-planned — not just patched after potholes appear.
Here’s my approach:
Pavement Condition Scoring: Adopt a formal annual scoring system for every road to
prioritize repairs based on condition, not guesswork.
Preventative Maintenance: Implement a rolling 5-year paving schedule — this saves
money and extends road life.
Public Dashboard: Let residents track reported repairs and capital projects in real-time.
Intergovernmental Coordination: Work with Essex County and NJDOT so residents
know who’s responsible for which roads.
Bottom Line: Proper planning means smoother streets, fewer potholes, and better value for
taxpayers.
Many residents
report congestion and speeding on major corridors like:
South Valley Road (CR 510)
Pleasant Valley Way (CR 577)
Northfield Avenue (CR 508)
Important Note: These are County roads, so West Orange can’t make changes unilaterally —
but we can advocate using data and operational insights.
Here’s how I’d approach it:
Traffic volume and speed studies to identify hotspots
Intersection “Level-of-Service” analyses to pinpoint bottlenecks
Adaptive signal timing and corridor coordination
Data-driven traffic calming: speed feedback signs, lane striping, curb extensions, raised
crosswalks
Prioritize pedestrian safety in high-crash zones and school areas with better lighting and
ADA-compliant sidewalks
As a CPA, I don’t just look at numbers — I’ll also ask crossing guards, school safety officers,
and police for real-world observations. Combining data with on-the-ground insights ensures
solutions actually work.
Finally, let’s discuss utility work, road restoration, and public accountability.
Utility and gas main work often leaves patchwork paving that shortens roadway life. My plan:
Strengthen restoration standards after utility work — no more short-term patches.
Coordinate projects to minimize repeated disruptions.
Establish inspection protocols and enforceable repaving rules.
Transparency is key:
Public dashboards for repairs and projects
Quarterly capital project reporting
A clear 5-year Capital Improvement Plan summary
Metrics tracking for Public Works response times
Safe streets, smooth roads, and walkable neighborhoods benefit everyone. By
combining data-driven planning, practical operational insights, smart engineering, and
accountability, we can:
Reduce congestion without unnecessary widening
Improve pedestrian and vehicle safety
Maximize taxpayer investment
If you have concerns about roads, intersections, or sidewalks, let’s hear about them — together,
we can fix them the right way.
