Meet The 2019 Chester Township Mayoral Candidates

CHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — There is a contested election for Chester Township mayor this fall, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

Current mayor Marcia Asdal, a Republican, is being challenged by James G. Duffy, a Democrat. We asked both candidates the same five questions:

1. Why are you running for office?
2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?
3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?
4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?
5. What inspires you?

The candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were given no minimum or maximum word count, and encouraged to write as much as they needed, or to keep the answers brief if they wanted to. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted in the order they were received.

Marcia Asdal, Republican

Why are you running for office?

I’m running for office because I want to make sure the next generation of Chester residents - our kids and new residents alike - get to enjoy the same beautiful, peaceful, safe and successful town that we did. We’ve gotten things done, and by continuing to get things done people will continue to choose Chester.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

New Jersey was the #1 state to move away from in 2018. That’s a terrible statistic. Keep in mind, California is beating us and they don’t even have regular power! Trenton policies are responsible for this flight of talent and resources, and my opponent in this race would have those policies continue. This trend threatens the very survival of our town, which makes it the number one issue.

We are addressing this brain drain by taking aggressive action to preserve the town we know and love for us and for future generations. We are making sure our infrastructure is safe and secure (we have resurfaced ⅔ of our roads in the past three years). We are making sure kids have the resources and facilities needed to grow and flourish (we are developing fields and programs for youth sports). And we are fighting against oppressive state programs that don’t allow us to choose our own destiny. We should be able to design the community we want to live in vs the one Trenton would dictate.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I’m the right person to vote for because I get things done. And I’ll keep getting things done. I believe in investing in our town’s next generation. My record speaks for itself. I have a thirty-year track record of service to Chester Township. People know me, trust me, and unlike my predecessors, I don’t just talk, I deliver. Actions speak louder than words. I have a proven record of action, which leaves my opponent just speaking loudly.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

One of my driving motivations to run for mayor three years ago was the clear need to bring a culture of communication and transparency to town hall, and that’s what I’ve done. For twenty years, residents of Chester never saw their mayor. While knocking on doors yesterday, I met a woman who said, “Until you, I never knew who my mayor was!” I send regular newsletters, have hosted over 150 hours of office hours, and am always available by phone, email, and for a cup of coffee. It’s a mayor’s job to be a part of the community. With transparency and dedication, that’s what I’ve done, and what I will continue to do.

What inspires you?

That’s simple. My daughters - five strong, smart, and tremendously talented and brave women - inspire me every day to be a better mom, mayor, and citizen of Chester. This is more important for me than ever during this election, because three of them are currently deployed to the Middle East, so that as we go about our lives in our beautiful town we don’t have to worry.
This time next year, two of them are returning with their husbands to Chester to make it their home again. They will be part of the next generation of proud Chester residents,and because they have already sacrificed so much for their country, it is my responsibility to work hard to serve the town in which they grew up, and once again will make their home.

Jim Duffy, Democrat

Why are you running for office?

After becoming a member of the Environmental Commission and attending numerous Town Council meetings, I realized that Township affairs were not running as smoothly or as openly as most town residents thought. I decided changes were critically needed and thought perhaps I should be the one to help make them. To help inform my decision to run for mayor, I went on a listening tour. I knocked on lots of doors across Chester Township and had great conversations with neighbors on all sides of a variety of local issues. It became clear my neighbors’ views are in line with mine and that they want changes in Chester leadership that promises a few important things:

• Transparency: They want information about projects that could significantly impact our town, including the extent to which the Black River Fields would be improved and how the Glenlora property would be redeveloped, and they want a say in those projects.
• Accountability: How is it the mayor and her husband could file multiple lawsuits against our town? How much are those suits against Chester Township costing us taxpayers? Our neighbors expect our leaders to be accountable, be free of any conflicts of interest, and act in the interests of our town rather than in their own self-interest.
• Efficiency: Neighbors are very curious about ways to lower costs, including sharing services with neighboring communities. They also understand that Chester’s ability to hold the line against tax increases has come at the expense of our town’s cash reserves, which have been depleted over the past few years. At the same time, they’d like to ensure that we’re getting all the grant monies that are available to us. Our neighbors are confident we could be more efficient in how we run our town government.
• Stewardship: We deserve to have our green spaces, recreational areas and farmlands better protected, improved and managed. But stewardship is not just about the environment—it also relates to cultural and recreational facilities. Neighbors would like to see cultural and recreational venues for our children to showcase their talents.

My listening tour inspired me. I can deliver on the expectations of my neighbors. I can bring a fresh approach to how our town is run. I’m confident I’ve got the kind of leadership that can bring about collaborative results that will make Chester Township an even better community – one that current—and future—residents are proud to call home.

What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

One challenge we have is making our local government more transparent. I will address this challenge in two ways:

• First: Our community needs to be more engaged around the Black River Fields improvements. I’m fully supportive of safe, best-in-class athletic fields. At the same time, as a community, I’m also fully supportive of taking our time and making sure the right questions are answered so we can make an informed, sustainable and financially sound decision. The current administration has tried to rush this project through so as to avoid those who might oppose it. The result is a poorly planned and overpriced project, one that needs to be slowed down and deliberated upon so the result is a facility that best meets the needs of the community. Making this happen after the town has already begun the process will be a challenge but it must be done in order to get resident input and to get the right result.
• Second: Our community needs to be better informed about affordable housing and whether and how that correlates to the redevelopment of the Glenlora property. I will convene public meetings to make sure our community understands the environmental and physical constraints of the site and whether and how it can be appropriately adapted, governed by sound planning principles and community input.

What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I’m motivated by the tremendous support and encouragement I’ve gotten from the many residents with whom I’ve spoken across the entire political spectrum. I’m confident we can put—and keep—our community first by making decisions collaboratively and transparently. But I also promise to hold myself accountable—unlike my opponent, I’m free of any conflicts of interest that could hinder my credibility.

What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

I will be present and transparent. I will convene open houses and public information sessions that will enable our town leaders and experts to explain important financial, scientific, economic impacts of the opportunities before us. Decisions will be made in the open. I will maximize direct discussions with the community, both in the old-fashioned ways and via social media.

What inspires you?

Three things inspire me:

My family – My wife Julie and I made two promises a long time ago. First, we promised to give our children opportunities we never had. Second, we promised to leave the world a better place for them. These two promises motivate me every day.

My collection of cookbooks – Cooking is probably my favorite hobby. I love discovering the connections between food, cultures and history. My kids think I’m crazy because I ask them what they want for dinner before they’ve even had breakfast.

My running sneakers – I’m very fortunate to have good health. To me, getting exercise is a privilege. I enjoy running and my goal is to run a marathon in Alaska.