Ken Gardner: Why I'm Running For Woodbridge First Ward Council

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — There is no mayoral race in Woodbridge in 2021, but multiple Woodbridge Council seats are up for election this year.

Patch asked all the candidates running to fill out profiles; we sent this exact same questionnaire you see below to all the candidates running and asked them to get back to us by April 30. The only one who got back to us is Ken Gardner, who seeks to topple Nancy Bader Drumm from the First Ward Council seat she has held for the past eight years now. Drumm is widely seen as an ally of Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac.

Here are Gardner's answers as to who he is and why he's running (These views are his own; this is his platform to speak directly to Woodbridge voters):

Ken Gardner - 1st Ward Council

Age (as of Election Day): 55

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Family: Married Woodbridge High School sweetheart Janine. She still teaches English there. Daughter - Becca - teaches at Matthew Jago School in Sewaren, Son - Kenny - Mortgage Underwriter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Wife & Daughter are Woodbridge teachers

Education: St. James Grammar School in Woodbridge, Woodbridge High School, Business Admin from Seton Hall University, Certificate in Government & Leadership from Rutgers, Certified in Government Supervisory Management from the National Certified Public Managers Program, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 & 63 when I served as a Managing Director of Public Finance & Government Banking over 10+ years

Occupation: Government Procurement Department, NJ Turnpike

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Youngest Council President in the History of Woodbridge, 10 yr member of the NJ League of Municipalities Educational Foundation (developing educational programs, in-depth policy papers on critical issues, funding for important projects and a resource for stakeholders who need to communicate on the critical public policy issues affecting local government and New Jersey.)

Ex-Fire Chief & Commissioner (30+ yr Volunteer Firefighter)

Campaign website: See my Facebook.com/ken.gardner.7798 for several recent campaign videos

Why are you seeking elective office? In the past two years, several residents have reached out to me and suggested I run for 1st Ward Council. The public and I are disgusted with the overdevelopment as well as the destruction of the character of our downtown. The public is frustrated that our Councilwoman (Drumm) is a representative of the Mayor instead of the people.

I love the town that was great to grow up in & raise my family in. I am confident that with my professional & civic accomplishments I can make a positive difference.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it:

Overdevelopment & My Councilwoman represents the Mayor, Not the People! Since 2016 Councilwoman Drumm, who is also the Council's Representative on the Planning Board has publicly advocated the Mayor's plan to give apartment builders a 30-year tax break and supported approximately 1,100 apartments within a half mile of our downtown. When I served as Council President, I stopped the development of 3,000 multifamily units. I made it impossible for a developer to build apartments on our First Ward waterfront in Sewaren. He has not been able to build ONE unit there in the 25+ years since.

If elected, I will use my experience to stop the Mayor from further development of five- and seven-story apartments. Because of my questions at Council and Planning Board meetings over the last year, several other projects are being held until after the election. The public is overwhelmingly opposed to that plan. All of New Jersey government learned in the 80s that the "rateables chase" doesn't work. In the long run, apartment development overcrowds our schools and overwhelms other municipal services. They become a large negative tax drain. The large apartments are ruining the character our our downtown. I will vote no and convince the Council to help me stop it.

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

I led the effort and successfully stopped the development of 3,000 apartments as Council President, while Council Woman/Planning Board member Drumm supported over 1,100 apartments and counting.

I sponsored a law, which is still on the books, to give homeowners a five-year tax abatement on home improvements: Council Woman/Planning Board member Drumm supports 30-year tax breaks for apartment builders.

As a Council President & Fire Commissioner I demonstrated the independence to support good and open-government issues for the public regardless of how big my opponents were politically. Councilwoman Drumm continues to advocate for all of McCormac's projects regardless of the overwhelming public opposition.

I advocated as a 22 year old to start a Main Street Special Improvement District. As Council President we enacted the law. The dedication plaque is still in front of the Woodbridge Post Office.

I have always governed like a Democrat (i.e., I led the effort to stop the Mayor from privatizing our Senior Transportation & Sanitation Departments as Council President.) Since 2011, I advocated for changing the School Funding Formula. I personally delivered a letter & lobbied Gov. Christie. He ignored it. I also personally lobbied Gov. Murphy to enact the new funding formula. Both in a personal meeting prior to his election and in texts when the Governor was weighing the new legislation. Since its enactment, Woodbridge state school aid has increased from $28 million to $63 million.

I have been a vocal advocate for the millionaires' tax. McCormac authored the section of Gov. Christie's Transition Report opposing the tax. Councilwoman Drumm supports McCormac on everything.

I don't recall Councilwoman Drumm advocating for any true Democratic Issues.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency):

I don't think Councilwoman has ever voted NO on even one of McCormac's issues in her entire eight years on the Council. Same as the representative on the Planning Board. Democracy and checks and balance are gone in Woodbridge. At the public meetings which are required by law, the Council votes on all resolutions by consent. (1 yes or no on all items - even when there are 50 unrelated resolutions.)

When I was Council President I had the Clerk read every one and called for a vote individually so the public knew what we were voting on. Not just saying 1 to 50 - all in favor.

My Council team also required every Department Director or Deputy to be at every public meeting to answer the questions of the Council & Public. Councilwoman Drumm has been Council President & elected for eight years. Yet she does not ask for these basic true "Open Public Meeting" standards.

I had our television crew put the faces of our neighbors on TV when they came to the public meeting. If a member of the public shows up & they are usually not comfortable speaking in public - the issue has to be very important to them. Councilwoman Drumm has never asked why McCormac told the crew to not put the public's faces on TV - even though it is the Council's Meeting.

I will not be an obstructionist. But no debate exists now. Councilwoman Drumm is not doing her job.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. I think it's covered above. But just ask if you have a question or Councilwoman Drumm raises an issue.

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

Several of my accomplishments occurred long before they were fashionable. I received an Award for Excellence for record setting government procurement with Women & minority business.

I successfully advocated for a better State Aid Formula for Education which accounts for 60% of our property taxes.

As Council President I formed a joint Committee with the Board of Education for shared use of buildings & services - long before McCormac was Mayor - But he followed my idea which has led to better use & coordination.

As a Council President & Fire Commissioner I fought to end sick time abuse.

As an Asst Fire Chief I was the Initial Incident Commander for the legendary Shell tank fire. We commanded 1,200 emergency service workers over a four-day period. (30+ year volunteer firefighter. As Chief I ran a township-wide drill. As a Fire Commissioner I was a government administrator/legislator. I suggested and led an Emergency Preparedness Committee after Hurricane Irene. Our committee's suggestions were very helpful during Hurricane Sandy.

10 Year Trustee for the NJ League of Municipalities Educational Foundation - a state wide government problem solver.

I have been Irishman of the Year, President, Parade Chair & Director for the 400-member Woodbridge American Irish Assn. The parade is the largest event in Woodbridge, and the Irish Association organizes and funds the parade. It includes most volunteer organizations in the town & many from the surrounding area. This involves coordination with the township.

I have served as a Managing Director of Public Finance & Government Banking for more that 10 years. I have helped numerous New Jersey cities, towns & school districts; the state & state authorities; as well as those entities in other states.

I was the PTO President at Woodbridge Middle School & a volunteer at all of my children's schools. I have been a Woodbridge Little League & soccer coach. I was Finance Chair of the St. James School Advisory Council. I am currently on the Finance Council for St. James Church.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Always remember that when residents come to a Council meeting they are usually not used to speaking in public. So the issues they raise must be very important to them. Try to see things through their eyes. Former Councilman Vinny Martino said this to me.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I bleed Red & Black - GO BARRONS!

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