Warren Committee Primary Candidate: Nichelle Santos

WARREN, NJ — Warren's preliminary election on June 8 has four candidates running for two open seats on the Township Committee. Nichelle Santos is one of two Democratic candidates running.

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Nichelle Santos

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Ananda - 18 yrs; Gabrielle - 23 yrs; Brianna - 26 yrs

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My mother, Marie Santos (deceased) was Committeewoman in Marlboro Twp, NJ

Education

Rutgers University, B.S. Environmental Health & Safety; Harvard Kennedy School, Public Leadership Credential, and MPA candidate

Occupation

I have an interesting love of risk mitigation and fashion, I've spent considerable time in hard hats, work boots and other personal protective equipment and the remaining in custom designed pieces. I've been an entrepreneur for pretty much most of my life, I've owned a retail business when my children were young, as CEO of Gabrianda Designs, a custom clothing company for 15 years. I'm currently a Vice President with a national employer services corporation; I specialize in insurance services, risk management and healthcare consulting; starting out straight out of Rutgers U. I've been in the insurance and environmental, health and safety industry collectively for 20 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

No elected or appointed office; however, Commissioner, Somerset County, Commission on the Status of Women

Why are you seeking elective office?

My plan is to re-engage Warren, as a citizen I see a fragmented community which was exacerbated by the pandemic. It's time for us to unite as we build back better from the worst public health crisis of our lifetime. We must act with intergenerational intention, to ensure people of our community are not left behind not our youth or our seniors. Families are challenged with mental health crises, financial crises; we are seeing violence grow against targeted ethnicities on our televisions and social media each day. Our local business community is struggling to keep their doors open, and many won’t survive unless we can help.

The single most pressing issue facing our township is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Not to be repetitive... as we continue to struggle with budget challenges caused by the most expansive disruption of economic activity since the Great Depression it is critically important to build our community back better with fiscal transparency. Our post-disaster recovery plan should be solution-driven to be inclusive of all of our Township residents, from our youth to our seniors; to get our school districts performing with consistency; fiscal recovery of our local business community; and rebuild livelihoods of people who have been mentally and financially injured.

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

I believe in effective governance, comprehensive planning, transparent implementation, and civic participation along with a strong communication strategy. To build a thriving community, government must be transparent and communicate so citizens are aware of what’s happening, thereby they can engage and their voice can be heard for plans and policies of excellence. We must have tracking and measuring in place as we move our community forward with continuous improvement.

The current administration lacks accountability and transparency, as we have seen in the recent announcement of a 5 percent tax hike during a time when people are suffering, this is all wrong for Warren. A special COVID-19 Recovery Committee is what I would recommend to present cost savings strategies to a budget that will be stretched; for spending guidance on how to best allocate (1) the $1.5 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, as well as (2) the Township surplus; in lieu of a tax increase. Government starts at the local level, our Township policies impact daily lives, our environment, and properties, in the full array of local government services lead by our Township Committee.

As a challenger, in what way has the current township committee failed the community?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a perfect storm for our local jurisdiction to sink or swim, the current administration has chosen to sink. This was a time to build a roadmap for our community united, to manage through COVID-19 and beyond from the lens of compliance and financial stewardship; to bring innovation and fresh ideas to navigate complex issues. My opponents are comfortable with the status quo, perhaps they've been in office for far too long. It's time for Warren to modernize for 21st-century challenges, increase efficiencies and grow in unity and inclusion, grow in economic development with our business community; so that we are better prepared for pandemics, climate change, technology challenges, etc.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As the vaccine strategy progresses we must use the process of effective governance, comprehensive planning, transparent implementation, and civic participation, for it creates a framework for a more sustainable Township, during post pandemic and in what will be our new normal. We have chosen Warren as our home town for its beauty of nature and the environment, we must create our Sustainable Development Goals. Clean air, clean water, technology and efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions to protect what we love and cherish, for future generations to come.

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

Warren is a harmonious ecosystem built with a balance of revenue from the business community and revenue from the citizens of the community. As a creative entrepreneur I understand the necessity of a strong economic development plan for the business community, to support services and social networks of the residence; as well as to generate revenue. As a corporate business woman specializing in health care and risk management insurance services in the public sector, I practice daily financial stewardship and impact strategy as a critical component to manage publicly funded agencies.

I'm a consummate student of life and learning; maintaining professional licensing continuing education requirements as per the Department of Banking and Insurance. Public Policy is what I enjoy, I’ve completed courses in Public Policy & Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School for the past two years and will continue to earn my Master’s in Public Administration through 2022. My alma mater is homegrown, Rutgers University, B.S. Environmental Health and Safety; where I was also a Varsity Track and Field athlete, and I’m still an active member of the RU Varsity Club and look forward to attending games when we it's safe to do so.

As a Founding Board Member of Elect Women NJ, where we help increase gender and racial diversity of viable candidates to win elected office; and as a mother of three beautiful daughters, who are making their way through a far more complicated world; it is important for me to show them, and other little girls, that women can be and have been mother's, wives, daughters, but we're leaders who bring so much talent, creativity, and critical thinking skills in legislative policy. In this world, and in this Township, we must be open to a diverse pool of ideas and solutions to move our community forward in 21st century governing.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My mother always told me to find my passion, to do what I love and I would find peace and happiness. Here, President Obama states, "Have principles and issues you are passionate about, and act; worry more about doing something, than being something." This creates our why we do what inspires us, and what moves others in your inspiration to act in that same way.

Finding what you're passionate about, I'm passionate about our Township, the beauty of our people and our environment, I want to protect our most precious assets, with policies for us to thrive united; to build a legacy for generations to come.

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

• Commissioner, Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women
• ELECT WOMEN NJ, Founding Board Member
• National Association of Health Underwriters
• Somerset County Business Partnership
• National Forum For Black Public Administrators, National Board of Public Policy
• Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
• Rutgers Alumni & Rutgers Varsity Club

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