Election Profile: Steven M. Bloom For Englishtown Borough Council

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – Two seats are up for grabs on the Englishtown Borough Council in 2020, according to the Monmouth County Clerk's Office. Republicans Cindy Robilotti and Eric Mann are running for reelection while Democrat newcomers Arun Swami and Steven M. Bloom are seeking to challenge the incumbents.

Bloom has been an Englishtown resident since April 2015 and a Monmouth County resident for over 10 years. He lives with his wife (a high school math teacher) and three-year-old son.

Bloom holds an MBA from Monmouth University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from Ramapo College of New Jersey. He was elected as the student representative to the Ramapo College of New Jersey Board of Trustees while completing his undergraduate degree.

“At Ramapo, I participated in discussions regarding a $100 million+ budget, strategic plans, and advocating on behalf of the RCNJ community with our government and community stakeholders,” Bloom told Patch.

Bloom is a finance manager for a technology business supporting clinical research organizations. He has previously worked in accounting and finance for companies in retail, consumer goods, medical devices and real estate.

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Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking elective office because it's time for a fresh view on our Borough Council to bring fresh ideas to represent all stakeholders of the Borough of Englishtown to improve the quality of life while maximizing our tax dollars. It is time for our Council to listen to the residents’ needs and act upon them.

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

The current candidates of the opposing party that I am running against have been on the council for 15 and 4 years, respectively. After having participated in Council meetings since 2016 as a resident, with all due respect, I have failed to see how the Council has improved the quality of life for our residents. Our taxes continue to increase, traffic and parking continues to be an issue in downtown, businesses have closed up, and there is virtually no town identity. It is time for a fresh voice to bring a different point of view to improve the quality of life for all stakeholders.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

Our campaign slogan is: Fresh Voices to Represent You for a Better Tomorrow. Our town council has been controlled by one party for the last 20+ years, some current members of the Council having served most of these 20+ years. This has resulted in less input and discussion of fresh ideas. If elected we assure the residents of this great town that we plan to incorporate and seek out fresh ideas and will fight for Englishtown's families, taxpayers, and small-business owners.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform?

1) Improving Communication Between Borough Government and Its Residents
We will improve town communication by leveraging all available communication platforms available. We will ensure that all meetings are televised, and agenda/meeting minutes are provided to residents in a timely fashion. Items like the impact of COVID-19, natural disasters, traffic, and town events on our town need to be regularly and effectively communicated to residents through online portals, text messaging, e-mail, etc. We cannot assume that Facebook or our downtown marquee reach all residents.

2) Review of our Borough Annual Budget
26% of your tax dollars goes to our municipal budget and we need to maximize its impact on our community. We seek to promote increased shared services (where it makes sense), enhance town services around garbage/recycling collection, parking, and snow removal, improve our town parks and events, and ensure our emergency service squads have the resources they need.

3) Town Identity
Provide an identity to our downtown business district (clearing all red tape for small businesses to open and operate) and liaison with them to determine what assistance the town can provide. We will demand improved services and communication provided by our utility providers at all times (leveraging our franchise agreements and contracts when applicable).

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

I am a published co-author on research on higher education in NJ, student loans and its impact on our society as well as on individuals purchasing their first home. I understand the link between cost of living and its impact on our lives. We must evaluate every $ that is part of our budget to ensure that it is being used effectively.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"It's not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life.” Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I look forward to meeting with Englishtown residents in the coming weeks and months, both virtually and in-person (when able to) on ways they want their Englishtown Borough Municipal Government to work for them.