Claudia Hodges is a proud Chilean immigrant, a proponent of progressive values, and a sixteen-year resident who feels very much at home in Bernards Township. With local and national politics trending away from many of the beliefs she holds dear, Claudia is motivated to make sure Bernards feels like home for residents of all political leanings and backgrounds.
Like many others after the 2016 election, Claudia found comfort in the local Bernards Progressive Women’s group. “I needed to be surrounded by women who shared my values, so I knew I wasn’t going crazy,” she remarked. Trump’s election ignited fear in Claudia. “I heard him speaking awfully about immigrants and it was painful to think my children could be hurt because I’m a brown person.”
Since that time, Claudia has taken action. Though she was commuting into New York City and raising two daughters she still managed to make phone calls and write letters to promote inclusive messaging during Trump’s first term. Today, she is working from home and creating space for progressive women both physically and online. She’s an active member and moderator of the Bernards Township Progressive Women Facebook page and aims to hold monthly in-person and virtual meetings.
And that’s just a start!
Hodges believes there’s much more work to be done. “My worry is there are forces in place driving a Republican agenda into every aspect of our town. I invite everyone to show up and serve in your community,” she said. “Show up and share your voice in Basking Ridge: In your churches and temples, in your neighborhood (and) in your schools. The other side is sharing stories,” she added, “We need to share our stories too, to speak our values. If people don’t know you, it’s easy for them to ignore you or hate you.”
Claudia is practicing what she preaches. In addition to her work with Progressive Women, she volunteers with God’s Co-op food pantry, is a youth leader and Sunday School teacher at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church and does her best to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere through all her circles. “We have come a long way,” she said. “Bernards needs to be a town that offers a safe space to all our people and our children. Our neurodivergent. Our LBGTQ+ friends. Everyone. We must protect this community.”
– Jen Aaron
Hello! I begin with wishing a Happy Ramadan to all those in our community who are observing. Ramadan begins Friday, February 28 ending Saturday, March 29 and opens with the lighting of the Crescent at the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. The Township also recognizes and celebrates the Lunar New Year and will participate in the Bernards Chinese American Association’s Party on Saturday, March 1. These are two celebrations which, among others, demonstrate the diversity within our community.
Among my responsibilities is serving, along with Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally, as one of two Township Committee liaisons to our Police Department. This month Chief Jon Burger announced his retirement from the Police Department. Chief Burger has served our community exceptionally for 26 years. As a leader, Chief Burger established a positive and thriving work environment and culture, ensured the safety and security of our community, and did so while seeking innovative strategies, such as the installation of license plate readers to identify stolen vehicles, while maintaining and developing a top team of officers. Chief Burger impressed me with his commitment to integrity. The Township Committee recognized and honored Chief Burger at our February 25th meeting with a Resolution, and as a body wish him great success in his next adventure. In light of Chief Burger’s retirement, Deputy Mayor McNally and I were among those who interviewed and recommended the appointment of Deputy Chief Tim King to become Chief, and Detective Lieutenant Michael Sweeney to be appointed Deputy Chief. Both individuals are long serving officers with outstanding accomplishments, and are committed to serving our community. Our February 25th meeting included a resolution appointing both gentleman to their new respective roles effective March 1. The formal swearing in will occur at the upcoming March 11th Township Committee meeting. Are you interested in getting to know the members of our local Police Department? Join me at the upcoming Coffee with a Cop event, and have a complimentary helmet/bike safety check on Saturday, March 22, 9-11am, at Liberty Corner Coffee.
I am also the liaison to our public utilities. During February we experienced a high wind event where more than 60 households lost power. JCPL reported that this was the result of a downed tree and broken pole. Crews were dispatched and began repair work when the winds had abated to provide safety for the crews. As residents, I encourage you to sign up for “Rave Alert” through the Bernards Township website to keep you informed of emergency and non-emergency alerts, including weather events.
At our January 28 Township Committee meeting, five individuals, including Mr. David Schley, our Township Planner, and me, were appointed to the Cross Acceptance Committee. As background, on December 6, 2024, the New Jersey State Planning Commission published the Draft Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan. New Jersey expects and encourages economic and population growth and seeks to do so in ways that broadens economic prosperity and balances the benefits and impacts of growth. This action launched the Cross-Acceptance process, a statutorily mandated (15:30-3.1 (c)) public process for comparing and negotiating local, county, regional, and state agency plans with each other, and the Draft Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The Cross-Acceptance is conducted to achieve the highest level of consistency possible at all levels of government. The Bernards Township members of the Cross-Acceptance Committee attended the Somerset County meeting on February 20. Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson led the meeting, where we heard the ten aspirational goals of the State plan along with the timeline for the cross-acceptance process, which should conclude the publication of a Final Draft Plan, targeted for year end. We will continue to keep the public informed of our progress.
Thank you as always to those who are attending the Township Committee meetings. Reminder that we have a new meeting start time of 7:30pm!
Your Voice Matters! You can contact me with township questions/thoughts/comments at (201) 306-0178, or via email at amccarthy@bernards.org. Please note that any correspondence sent to me will be visible to the full township committee and clerk.
Ana
Over the past 20 years Heartworks and its founder, Bernardsville resident Megan McDowell, have made it their mission to show love and support for people living through the first 14 months of grief, serious illness or natural disaster. Megan was inspired to establish Heartworks in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. On that day, her brother-in-law, John Farrell, who grew up in Gladstone and lived in Basking Ridge, was killed in the South Tower. To quote Megan, “It felt like the whole country showed up for my sister Maryanne and their four young children.”
The beauty and energy of the kindness her family received during such a devastating time motivated the formation of Heartworks. Local women have gathered since 2004 to fundraise, plan, and put into action acts of kindness benefitting residents of our local community and others around NJ. Heartworks is careful to ensure they provide support tailored to the specific circumstances of each family. Lawn care, meals, housecleaning, and financial assistance are just a few examples of how they show kindness. Tickets to a special event, fall decor on a front porch, a day of beauty, or a college care package are other ways Heartworks is known to send love.
Added to the mission in early days, Heartworks also actively supports our local veterans. A dinner for members of Post 7858 is hosted monthly at Heartworks House on 202 in Basking Ridge where they can eat together and hold their meetings. And each year since its inception, Heartworkers have honored our vets during the weeks of Memorial Day and Veterans Day with special meals, cards, and support at their local events.
Junior Heartworks is a daughter organization that provides the opportunity for high school age girls from our local communities to gather and engage in the same support and acts of kindness as the adult group.
For more information about Heartworks, to donate, or to refer a family for kindness, please visit https://www.njheartworks.org/ or call the office at 908-766-4400.
March 1 - BCAA Lunar New Year Party - 4-6pm Cedar Hill Elementary School Cafeteria
March 8 - Rally for our Rights -12pm @ Morristown Town Hall Lawn, 200 South Street
March 10, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm @ Ridge PAC
March 11, Township Committee Meeting, 7:30pm @ Municipal Building
March 15, Andrew Macurdy for Assembly Petition Signature Collection, 11am RSVP
March 16, SCDC St. Patricks Day Party, 3:30 pm @ Savor in Somerville
March 20, First day of Spring!
March 24, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm @ Ridge PAC
March 25, Township Committee Meeting, 7:30 pm @ Municipal Building
Join us to "Rally for Our Rights!" Our rights and democracy are being attacked and dismantled at an amazing pace. On Saturday, March 8, at 12 PM, we'll recognize International Women's Day and Rally at the Morristown Town Hall, with elected officials, grassroots leaders, and like-minded friends. Come early to hear the talented all-female band, Wilma!
Join us to talk to neighbors and knock on Democratic doors to collect signatures! Every signature from a registered Democratic voter matters to get Andrew's name on the ballot.
