There’s a new, energizing force in the BTDC. And her name is Rani Maloney. Although Rani has lived in Basking Ridge for about 14 years, she only recently became involved with local politics in 2024 through the Facebook Bernards Progressive Women’s page. Now, there’s no stopping her!

 

As a passionate Dem, Rani says, “I’m a lone wolf in my family, and have wanted to be around more likeminded people. I found them through the Progressive Women’s group.” Her involvement with local politics kicked off with postcard writing and now includes a newsletter she began publishing, called “What Can I Do?” which points subscribers to local events and political activity. Rani is also involved with the Morris/Essex visibility brigade, and a founding member of Finding Kean Fridays, a group dedicated to protesting outside Congressman Kean’s offices. This group has teamed up with One NJ7 and is planning a large protest rally in Kean’s hometown of Westfield soon.

 

When she’s not busy “making good trouble,” Rani enjoys spending time on her boat at the New Jersey Shore, hanging with her boyfriend of many years, and her cats, Kirk and Sulu. She also loves political reading, especially articles in The Atlantic. Having spent part of her childhood in India, Rani is interested in becoming more involved with the Indian community in Basking Ridge. “India is where my name came from!” she proudly says. “My grandmother was a missionary there; my father grew up in India and I attended elementary school there before moving to the U.S.” She remains active in the Kodaikanal International School and still attends their annual reunions.

Looking forward, Rani is ready to become more active within the BTDC, specifically. She is currently an associate district rep and plans to apply for openings for local boards via Tap the Talent and is also thinking about running for local office at some point. Even though Rani has no children of her own, she says, “I’m concerned with keeping Moms of Liberty out of our school system.” She’s also worried about the infighting she sees on the Bernards Township Committee.

 

When you witness this politically-engaged lady around town – planting signs for Hodges & Tompkins, demanding accountability from Tom Kean, Jr. or otherwise helping blue causes – thank her for bringing momentum to local Democratic causes. 

 

The BTDC’s Sanjay Bery is the Somerset County lead of The New Jersey Democratic State Committee South Asian American Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to empowering South Asian communities across the Garden State through democratic civic engagement, political representation, and advocacy.

 

The caucus works to elevate South Asian voices, advance equity and inclusion, and ensure that diverse communities are fully represented at all levels of government. In his role, Sanjay is involved with encouraging South Asians to become more involved in the democratic process both as potential candidates and as electorates. Rooted in culture, the caucus strives to build lasting political power that reflects the values and aspirations of South Asian Americans in New Jersey.

 

Last year, Sanjay organized a Diwali get out the vote rally that featured Senator Andy Kim. In the current election cycle, he has been the co-organizer of some events in Harry Dunham Park, including a meet and greet with DNC Vice Chair Shasti Conrad as well as an event for the Hodges and Tompkins campaign for Township Committee. Sanjay worked most recently with Gagan Agarwal, another Bernards resident, to introduce our candidates to members of the local Indian community.  

Hello! As I begin the October column, I am hopeful our Jewish community enjoys a sweet and Happy New Year, as well as a meaningful Yom Kippur. 

 

During September, the Township Committee presented three resolutions which I drafted, including two at our September 9th meeting, and one at our September 23rd meeting. At our September 9th meeting, we passed Resolution #2025-0340, recognizing Bernards Township’s Longest Continuously Operating Business.  As background, on Saturday, September 20th, we celebrated the Township’s 265th Anniversary with a program titled “Colonial Farms: The Original Work from Home.”  The program included introducing panels illustrating the townships economic development from the 1700s through current day. In conjunction with the program, our local historians identified the longest continuously operating business, English Farm. English Farm was founded during the 1730s-40s, and research found that economically, English Farms really took off after 1872, when the train arrived in town. English Farm had a thriving dairy business selling butter and cream to Newark and beyond. 

 

Currently, Carol English is active on the Township’s Agricultural Advisory Committee, partners with the county committee, and annually hosts our community’s Pumpkin Smash whereby pumpkins can be sustainably recycled as feed. Upon the eve of our 265th Anniversary and the Nation’s 250th, the Township’s Anniversary Committee believed recognizing English Farm was a meaningful tribute to the English Family and an example of how “working from home” is a longtime tradition that has its roots deeply in Bernards Township and our pre–Revolutionary History. 

 

Also at the September 9th meeting, we passed resolution #2025-0339, recognizing the 250th anniversary logo winner, Debra Paster DeWitt. One of the first objectives of the Anniversary Committee was to launch a logo design this past Charter Day, open to residents entering ninth grade and above, to design a logo that would capture the spirit of Bernards Township and our upcoming Anniversary, while including specific criteria of design and color elements, including our town oak leaf symbol. The committee received eight submissions, which a panel of five judges, including Mayor Janice Fields, reviewed anonymously. Ms. Paster DeWitt’s design was unanimously chosen among the entries.  Nancy Cook and Nancy D’Andrea, BTDC members, serve on the Anniversary Committee, and I am the TC liaison to this group.

 

Lastly, at our September 23rd, meeting, Resolution #2025-0351 was presented to Logan Murphy, a senior at Ridge High School, as the Recipient of the Inaugural Sue Nobleman Inspiration Award. Last August I had the pleasure of attending the Teen Institute (LMTI) a youth leadership development program, which helps participants realize their leadership potential and become empowered to create positive changes in themselves, in their schools, and in their communities. The program brings together about 250 participants from around the state.  Students leave LMTI with a sense of confidence, purpose, and motivation that continues throughout the school year, and throughout their lives. There are 15 students who are part of the Ridge Education Action and Community Health, commonly referred to as the REACH. At LMTI, participants can be recognized for their efforts through various awards. The REACH and YAC programs are under Kaitlin Cartoccio, Senior Health Educator, Community Program Coordinator, Municipal Alliance Grant & Youth Services Coordinator in our Bernards Health Department.  Lily Wong, (son Andy Lee) Catherine Santaiti, and MJ Walsh, BTDC members, serve on the committee, and I am the TC liaison.

 

In other news, members of the police subcommittee, Deputy Mayor McNally and I, met with Police Chief Tim King on September 15th, in our quarterly meeting.  I am happy to share that our police department has completed the tasks associated with the reaccreditation process, which involved significant number of hours and contributions from officers across the department.  We are appreciative of the leadership and efforts to engage in the process, which will finalize this month. Thank you to all residents who participated with providing feedback.

 

The golf advisory committee met on September 15th as well. The Coakley Russo golf course is offering prorated memberships valid for use through November 16, 2025. The committee addressed the poor condition of the course, a result of the environment and maintenance, and has subsequently met with Shearson, the company overseeing the maintenance of the course. Premal (PJ) Lavsi, BTDC member, serves on the committee, and I am the TC liaison.

 

On September 20th, I was among those who attended the Basking Ridge Indian Community (BRIC) Dandiya Festival. What a vibrant evening of music, dancing, delicious food and community! Many thanks to BRIC for hosting a wonderful program that enriches our Township through this annual offering.   

Relative to culture, each year, across the United States, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  At our Township Committee meeting, I commented that this community represents approximately 1,500 people, or 5.5% of the population of Bernards Township, and I am proud to be among them.

 

My own parents immigrated to United States in 1956 from the Dominican Republic, and like many other immigrant families, wrestled with navigating a new culture while trying to maintain aspects of their own, language and traditions.  Today, the Hispanic/Latin American population is growing in Somerset County, and Community partners, such as the Somerset Hils YMCA, are providing resources and programs to welcome new families. I celebrate and recognize the achievements of our Hispanic/Latino community within our township.

 

Lastly, at our most recent meeting, three members of the township committee spoke about the passing of Mr. Charlie Kirk (begin viewing at 6:25). Generally, the township committee does not delve into national matters, and as such, I was surprised the topic was raised and that the three members had prepared comments. In light of their remarks, I commented that Mr. Kirk’s assassination was a tragedy, and it was among a continuum of targeting political leaders, including, among others, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, to the attempts on President Donald Trump. These assassinations and attempts are influenced from differences in beliefs and divisive rhetoric.  The township committee can set an example of dialing down the temperature and fostering civility.  We are living in a time where people curate how and when they receive information. This can create a personal echo chamber of political ideology and has resulted in tragic consequences.

 

As a township committee member, I will continue to seek ways to bring our community together, respect differences in opinion, and encourage that we always seek to consider all options, with an objective of landing upon the best possible solutions for our community.

 

Paid for by the Bernards Township Democratic Committee