On October 30, Wayne Today will publish a 325-word statement from each candidate in this year's local race. Here's mine.
Thank you for taking time to think about Wayne’s Ward 2 Council race.
PERSONAL
I'm the son of a country doctor from Montclair. An Eagle Scout like me, dad kept a chainsaw in his pickup in case a downed tree ever stood between him and a patient. That's commitment. My late mother was a realtor, seamstress, teacher, and linguist, of extraordinary creativity and compassion.
I earned my B.A. at Brown, pursued graduate study in Jerusalem as a Wallenberg Scholar at Hebrew University. I later graduated from Harvard Law.
In between, I worked in Washington, D.C., with police chiefs and prosecutors, to make communities safer. I now practice law at Lowenstein Sandler, combining corporate litigation with pro bono work on behalf of nonprofit organizations and regular folks.
My wife Khyati Joshi is a tenured Associate Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson. Our four-year-old son attends Apple Montessori and will attend Lafayette Elementary School. We live on Thorne Hill, across from Anthony Wayne Middle School.
ISSUES
I’m campaigning for a WALKABLE, WORKABLE WAYNE. Wonderful facilities like our schools, pool, and parks should be served by sidewalks and trails, so kids can get there safely. These essential public safety investments, and other infrastructure improvements, must go hand-in-hand with limited growth to preserve quality of life.
On property taxes, we must consider all pieces of the puzzle. On the spending side, Wayne needs consolidation and cuts to its administrative budget. On the revenue side, Wayne must spur a business renaissance with targeted incentives for businesses and commercial landlords. Otherwise, the tax burden will continue to fall hardest on homeowners. Redeveloping existing properties is essential; we mustn’t pave Wayne’s remaining green spaces.
I’m running for Councilman because I’m committed to listening to my constituents and improving our town. That’s why I will donate my Council salary to charities benefiting Wayne children and seniors.
Please visit www.johnbartlett.com or email bartlett4wayne@yahoo.com. I’ll always be responsive to you. I ask for your vote.