Election Profile: Evelyn Malsbury-O’Donnell For Howell Council

HOWELL, NJ - Two newcomers will be challenging seats currently occupied by Howell's mayor and deputy mayor come November.

Mayor Theresa Berger will be seeking a second four-year term on Nov. 3, challenged by Republican Suzanne M. Brennan. Berger won the Democratic mayoral primary with 3,612 votes in the July 7 election, with Brennan garnering 3,432 votes from the Republican race.
Brennan is an attorney and has previously served on the Howell K-8 School District Board of Education.

Republican deputy mayor Evelyn O'Donnell will also be seeking reelection. O'Donnell currently serves on the Howell Township Council and will be seeking another four-year term come November.

O’Donnell previously served on the Howell Township Board of Education for nine years. She has served the Howell Township Council for four years.

She is a graduate of Howell Township Public Schools and Brookdale Community College. She has been a resident of Howell Township since the age of four.

Are you running for office in Howell? Contact Nicole Rosenthal at nicole.rosenthal@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Why are you seeking elective office?

As many projects have been started and some completed, my responsibilities are far from over. I am determined to once again deliver a budget with a flat municipal tax rate, continue building a safe environment in cooperation with our Police and EMS departments, preserve and protect more than our present 650 preserved acres and continue to meet our Democratic mandate obligation of affordable housing (COAH) with a minimum of rooftops.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring the right experience to the table on day one. My opponent does not. Having experience on the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Preservation Task Force, Environmental Commission, Municipal Green Team as well as 13 years of public tax dollars budgets, I bring a background of Howell Township that is imperative in making good decisions for Howell.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform?

A Four Point Plan captures most of my platform.

PROVIDE- Real tax relief on those line items that Council can control by controlling spending. Running the Township as a business and utilizing shared services can easily lessen tax burdens.

PROMOTE- A strong and multi-faceted "come-back" plan must continue to help Howell businesses and families recover from the devastation of COVID-19. Cutting red tape for businesses and families will help expedite issues that hinder our town.

PREVENT- Stopping COAH from over developing is imperative. We have strict zoning in place however I will continue to negotiate smaller numbers with Fair Share as we Republicans have done in the recent past and always negotiate with builders, as I and Republicans have done, to give us more COAH credits in a project than the builders would have given at a 10% set aside. In a recent application we were able to get "2 for 1"credits on a 72 unit project. We secured 144 credits of our mandated obligation as a result. The 72 original credits that this project would have generated was doubled and we achieved 144 credits. To reach 144 credits we would have seen over 700 rooftops being built. However the 700 plus rooftops were NOT built ads a result of this remarkable example of Republican initiative in our continuing effort to hold the line back on high density development.

PROTECT- I will continue to fight and keep the rural character of Howell by preserving every acre possible. Protecting Howell with our Police and EMS and a responsible COVID-19 plan is continuing every day.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As an elected official I am proud to have formulated a flat municipal tax rate, paved miles of roadway, taken part of the Community Alliance and with Christa Riddle ensured substance abuse is a top priority at all times, The historic MacKenkie House is also being renovated to its original beauty by local folks that have stepped up to the plate. The Howell Farmers Market has come full circle after resident Elaine Taylor began its journey 6 years ago and now the Market is robust. Every time I am able to be on the ground floor of an idea it is so fulfilling. Perhaps one accomplishment stands out and that is our constant negotiations to lessen the building that the Affordable Housing mandate imposes on Howell. This mandate creates a hardship on Howell at every turn.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
It came from my mother. "Never ask anyone to do something that you are not willing to do yourself". I reflect on that wisdom often and it has served me well.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I was raised by parents that possess a true moral compass. Work hard, do not steal, love God and do not lie. I work 110% on every project. I may not give someone the answer they would like to hear however I will not lie to you. When I commit to a job I see it to its end. I believe I am the most qualified candidate. My record of community service spans over 25 years and my dedication remains strong and focused.