Bernards Township Committee Election 2024: Andrew McNally
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township's general election on Nov. 5 has four candidates running for two open seats for the Township Committee.
Incumbent Republican Andrew McNally is running along with Jennifer Asayagainst Democrats Adam N. Subervi and Elizabeth Graner.
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Andrew McNally
Why are you seeking election for Township Committee?
I want to ensure that Bernards Township remains a safe, thriving, and welcoming community. I am honored that Bernards Township residents entrusted me to serve in local government in 2021, and to serve as Bernards Mayor in 2023. Our town has consistently been ranked among the safest in the State, and in the country as a whole, and we were recently ranked fourth in the most desirable real estate markets in the country. However, ensuring that Bernards remains among the best places to live requires wisdom and dedication on the part of our elected officials to make decisions that impact our town's future. Experience matters in this regard, and my running mate (current Mayor Jennifer Asay) and I have proven ourselves as responsible leaders.
On a personal level, I enjoy the work that I do for the town. It gives me the opportunity to use my experience in government and as an attorney for the benefit of our residents. Further, I have gotten to know so many great people around town through my work for the town, and I have made great friends along the way. Finally, my wife and I picked Bernards Township from among many other places where we could have chosen to live. Having planted our roots here, I want to ensure that Bernards Township stays a great place to live and raise a family.
There has been an increase in home and vehicle burglaries in the township, do you think enough has been done to combat this? What else would you propose to address this issue?
As a Township Committee liaison to the Bernards Police Department, ensuring that Bernards remains safe is my top priority. This year, we were ranked as the second safest town in New Jersey. This doesn't happen by accident. It requires experienced, responsible leadership on the Township Committee to provide our police with the resources they need.
That said, I am not satisfied with merely being ranked higher than 562 other towns in New Jersey in terms of public safety. The uptick in burglaries we've experienced in Bernards is not unique to our town. It is something that extends across our state, region, and country. Frankly, it is the predictable result of new policies enacted at the State level, both in New Jersey and elsewhere.
Bernards is not immune from these impacts, and I am proud of the steps we have taken to prevent crime. During my tenure as a liaison to the Police Department on the Township Committee, we have substantially grown the size of our police force and invested in new technologies they use to combat crime.
The men and women who serve in the Bernards Township Police Department are second-to-none. I've gotten to know many of them, especially the leadership. I am 100 percent confident in their dedication to keeping our residents safe, and they know that Mayor Jen Asay and I support them. But platitudes are not enough; elected leaders at the local level must ensure that police departments have enough officers and necessary equipment to do their jobs. While I consider myself a budget hawk, one place where we must continue to invest is in our police department. Mayor Asay and I have not hesitated to supply our police department with the resources they need, and we will continue to do so.
Manufacturing and/or warehouse applications are still cropping up. How do you feel about these applications and their impact on the township?
The Zoning Board of Adjustment handles review of these applications. It is the one board in town that has no Township Committee member on it. Elected members of local government are not allowed to comment on such applications, therefore, Mayor Asay and I are restrained by law from commenting (even though our opponents, who are not on the Township Committee, can do so).
Affordable housing. How do you feel about this state mandate and its impact on Bernards Township?
I am opposed to state affordable housing mandates. They've existed for nearly 50 years, with constant tinkering by the courts and Legislature, and continue to be a problem for towns across New Jersey. These mandates are not sound policy, and we know this because housing is less affordable now than it has ever been, almost 50 years on.
Nonetheless, towns must comply with them or be sued and forced to comply by court order. While Mayor Asay and I, as well as our elected representatives in our legislative district, keep the pressure on for true reform in Trenton, we must make smart decisions locally to stop these mandates from producing destructive overdevelopment.
In anticipation of the "fourth round" of Trenton mandates, Mayor Asay and I spearheaded our Township Committee's decision to hire an extraordinary municipal planner with deep expertise on these issues. This investment will help us avoid overdevelopment and its impact on Township roads, schools, and other resources. Furthermore, we believe in an open, transparent local government, and one that seeks to inform our residents of how these mandates work. That's why we held a public event at Town Hall where our planner fielded questions and explained how we're approaching development going forward.
Mayor Asay and I have been "walking the walk" on opposing overdevelopment. Many candidates for local office campaign on a platform of "opposing overdevelopment," but don't really understand the law, or how to address these complex mandates. Mayor Asay and I have the experience needed to manage these pressures in a way that will have the least negative impact on our community.
What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the township?
Fiscal issues and taxes are always a primary concern. While the vast majority of residents' property taxes go towards the school district, and the county takes a portion that exceeds the Township's, we continue to have a municipal tax levy that is the envy of towns across the state. We've achieved this through responsible spending, avoiding debt, and aggressively pursuing State and federal grants. We are one of very few towns in New Jersey that does not borrow money, taking a pay-as-you-go approach to the municipal budget. This means that residents' tax dollars aren't eaten up by interest payments, but it also means that we're extremely careful with how we spend residents' money. This approach means we have to make a lot of tough choices, while still funding our roads, parks, police and first responders, and all the other obligations of the Township.
What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?
Mayor Asay and I are proven, experienced public servants who've ensured that Bernards remains among the best places to live in the country. With Jen serving as our current mayor, and I having done so in 2023, voters can feel confident that we are equipped to address whatever challenges may come our way in the future.
Our challengers have never served in township government before, and would have a lot to learn if elected. What's different about Mayor Asay and I is that we actually have a track record of balancing budgets, providing our police and first responders with the resources they need, and resisting overdevelopment. With Jen Asay and I, Bernards voters can be sure that they are electing proven leaders who have fulfilled their commitments to residents, and will continue to do so once we are re-elected.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?
As someone who has had a front row seat watching Mayor Asay in action, she is an extraordinary leader, and one who I am proud to call my friend, colleague, and running mate. One example of Jen's extraordinary work has been in conceiving and spearheading our Understanding Bernards and Fabric of Bernards programs. Understanding Bernards educates residents on where their tax money goes, how our parks and roads are maintained, and a variety of other subjects regarding local government. Fabric of Bernards is a regular series that celebrates the various communities and cultures within our town, and brings residents together in a positive, uplifting way. These programs reflect our heartfelt belief that our town is a better place when residents are informed about how their local government works, and when they have opportunities to strengthen the bonds that tie all of us together as Bernards Township residents.
In the upcoming local elections, I humbly ask Patch readers to re-elect Jennifer Asay and Andrew McNally to the Bernards Township Committee.
