Ready, set…here comes November! Election Day will be here in the blink of an eye and it’s time for the Bernards Township Democratic community to pull together and bring home some well-deserved seats in local government. Here are ten things – some substantive, some quite small – that each of us can do to ensure positive outcomes on November 7.
Don’t be shy! Talk to friends, neighbors, your kids, and others about how important this election is. Remind them to vote.
Tell it to ‘em straight. Share your views, opinions, and preferences. Inform those around you, tell them who you’re voting for. Engage in some good, healthy debate.
Show up! There are many Township Committee and Board of Education meetings, candidate meet & greets, and debates scheduled over the next two months. Come when you can, learn about the issues, and share your concerns. Bring your friends too! (See our calendar of events.)
Donate to candidates whose values align with your own.
Sign up to Vote By Mail. Getting your ballot in on time helps candidates and campaigns and cuts down on follow-up. College student away at school? Make sure your student signs up for VBM as well. Get the applicationhere.
Offer a ride. Ask neighbors, elderly friends, or relatives if they need a ride to the polls.
Like us!! Follow and share posts on social media. Help our algorithms reach more voters in the Bernards Township Democratic community. McCarthyWong2023 on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the BTDC on Facebook and Instagram.
Bill Allen is inarguably Bernards Township’s most knowledgeable resident when it comes to the history of Democratic politics in our burb. At 94, Bill is a two-time Township Committee person, having served in the 1970s and again in the 1990s as the town underwent significant expansion. The sole Democrat to serve on the committee since the 1930s, before Joan Bannan was elected in 2018, Bill has been a force behind many of the improvements we’ve seen over the years.
The August 28 Board of Education meeting featured much of the ongoing discord evidenced throughout the past academic year, as well as a few new points of interest. Contentious topics voiced by residents and board members alike include the rejected sociology texts, the new health curriculum, as well as class sizes at Liberty Corner School.
Last month, the Somerset County Federation of Democratic Women (SCFDW) endorsed Bernards Township Committee Candidates Ana Duarte-McCarthy and Lily Wong. “Ana and Lily are exceptional candidates who would represent Bernards Township with pride and grace. Their commitment to their community drives them and makes them tremendous leaders,” said SCFDW President Roberta G. Walters.
Editor’s note: Zoe Jones, an 18-year-old recent Ridge High School graduate, was awarded the BTDC Civic Scholarship in June. She was recognized for her commitment to democratic values, including diversity, equality, truth, justice, and community service.
For the last two weeks in July, I interned with the Somerset County Public Information Office (PIO). The PIO is responsible for a wide range of communications with the public. It generates content for Somerset County’s social media channels, publicizes events through photography and videography, and writes press releases to communicate with local news outlets.
During my internship I worked for Brad Fay, the Chief Communication Officer to research, analyze, and write memos on three current or potential county projects. First, I calculated how much the county will reduce its carbon output and save money by replacing three current paratransit gas vehicles with electric ones.
Then I summarized how other states use U.S.D.A. agritourism grants to directly fund local ventures or research agritourism’s economic benefits. The objective of this research is to help Somerset County understand how to best request and allocate part of New Jersey’s recent $2.5 million agritourism grant.
Lastly, I learned about the physical and mental health impacts of loneliness and social isolation on senior communities to provide context for an advertising campaign for the county’s Senior Wellness Centers.
I really enjoyed my time working for the Somerset County PIO.
