LAWRENCE: Democratic nominees for council detail qualifications, experience

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
In response to a request for information about themselves from Republican Township Councilmen Bob Bostock and Rick Miller, the three Democratic Party nominees for a vacant seat on the council have filled out a standard application form.
    The “Formal Statement of Interest in an Appointed Position,” which is the form used by applicants for one of the township’s advisory boards and committees, asks for the applicant’s name and address, the position desired, educational background and current and previous employment. It also asks for a short statement of interest.
    The nominees — Bernadette Gur, James Kownacki and Greg Puliti — filled out the forms and gave them to Lawrence Township Democratic Municipal Committee Vice Chairman Sarah Crowley. She forwarded the forms in a Jan. 12 letter to Mr. Bostock and Mr. Miller.
    Ms. Gur lives on Nathan Hale Avenue. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa. She has worked for the Educational Testing Service in Lawrence since 1991.
    Ms. Gur serves on the Lawrence Township Municipal Alliance on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and the Lawrence Township Business Route 1 Redevelopment Committee. She serves on the Lawrence Township Education Foundation.
    She is active with CONTACT, the crisis and suicide hotline, and also serves on the Transportation Management Authority, the New Jersey Army National Guard Family Readiness Group and the Families in Crisis Foundation.
    In her written statement, Ms. Gur said she believes in “public service, integrity and action-orientation.” She said she has dedicated her life to “making the right things happen,” which grows out of her “fierce” commitment to civic responsibility.
    “I have a deep desire to work with the people of this council and town to keep moving forward with projects and plans that will enliven, energize and better our town, working for our citizens,” she wrote, adding she wants to work collaboratively with township residents “and all members of the Lawrence (Township) Council.”
    Mr. Kownacki lives on Fillmore Place. He received a high school Graduate Equivalency Diploma and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 24 years. He has worked in electrical maintenance for the Ewing Lawrence Sewerage Authority for the past 22 years.
    Mr. Kownacki is the chairman of the Lawrence Township Democratic Municipal Committee. He also serves on the Planning Board and the Public Safety Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Eggerts Crossing Civic League.
    “I have always considered myself a reflection of the people I serve,” Mr. Kownacki wrote. “I believe that elected officials must be willing to listen and encourage constituents to speak out on issues that concern them.”
    “I will let the public know that their voice will be heard, and I will listen to them and do my best to address their concerns. I believe that communication is a key to good government,” he wrote.
    Mr. Puliti lives on Bunker Hill Avenue. He is a graduate of Lawrence High School and Mercer County Community College. He is a planning associate in the state Department of Banking and Insurance.
    Mr. Puliti served on the Township Council from 1995 to 2007. He held the honorary post of mayor in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007. He serves on the Recreation Advisory Committee, and he is a member of the Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co.
    “Being a member of the Township Council is an important position that requires a working knowledge of how New Jersey local and state governments function,” Mr. Puliti wrote. “The position also requires having a strong background knowledge of not only the many needs of the residents of Lawrence, but the business community as well.”
    “Having been a lifelong resident as well as having served on the Township Council for 12 years displays my ability to serve in this position,” he wrote. “(Serving on the council) provided me with the opportunity to work with my other fellow council colleagues in shaping Lawrence Township into the fiscally sound, safe and well-rounded community that we have come to enjoy.”