By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Ask Cathleen Lewis what she likes most about being mayor, and she’ll say it’s her role as an ambassador for Lawrence Township.
And nowhere is that more true than when Mayor Lewis is interacting with the business community, encouraging them to invest in the township.
"Being the mayor is like being an ambassador. It’s about putting Lawrence Township’s best foot forward," said Mayor Lewis, who has completed the first year of her two-year term in the ceremonial post of mayor.
Many businesses would like to open their doors in Lawrence, she said, noting that she spends "a good deal of time" trying to be a resource for the business community — whether it is individual businesses, or groups such as the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce or the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Lewis recalled a meeting between the township’s Growth and Redevelopment Committee and the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber representative did not realize just how large Lawrence Township is — that’s it not just the village of Lawrenceville, but also the southern end of the township, near the Brunswick Circle.
"Maybe businesses don’t realize how big Lawrence Township is," Mayor Lewis said. "If you want to open a local business, you don’t have to go out to Route 1. It’s (also) not just the village of Lawrenceville. South Lawrence will be the next big place where we will see (business) investment."
The mayor pointed to the Lawrence Shopping Center, which is under new ownership, and also the relocation of Mrs. G’s TV and Appliances from its former location on Route 1 at Bakers Basin Road to its new home down the street, next to Worldwide Wholesale Floor Covering. All are located in the southern end of the township.
Meanwhile, the 16-acre site formerly occupied by Mrs. G’s TV and Appliances is being redeveloped to accommodate a TD Bank, a McDonald’s restaurant, and a Wawa store with gasoline pumps. There is room for more stores in additional buildings on the property.
"What is key to moving Lawrence Township forward is finding people to invest in the community. I think we are starting to lose this misguided notion that Lawrence is not business-friendly. Big businesses have said they have never had any problems with the township. They say the township is great and they know what to expect," Mayor Lewis said.
The mayor said Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., whose headquarters is in Lawrence Township, is increasing its presence in the township by building more office space on the corner of Princeton Pike and Lewisville Road. The pharmaceutical company has properties in other towns, yet it has chosen to expand here, she said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lewis is quick to acknowledge that her first year in the ceremonial post was focused on developing relationships.
"(The second year) will be about taking those relationships to the next level," she said. "Where do we want businesses to come into town? If a guy has a business and he doesn’t know where to locate it (in Lawrence), I can help facilitate it. People know me. Being the mayor gives you that platform."
"Growing a business is growing a community," Mayor Lewis said. "It’s more places to shop. Growing businesses supplants property taxes. It takes the burden off residential properties. Reinvest in the community and provide jobs. I don’t know how you can have a town without businesses."
But Mayor Lewis’s first year in office hasn’t been solely about growing businesses and jobs.
The mayor has tried to grow the proposed curbside organic recycling program. When the township renegotiated its contract with hauler Central Jersey Waste & Recycling Co., she said, it included an option for the curbside organic recycling program.
Food waste, paper plates, tea bags, household plants, fruits, nuts, vegetables, spoiled or expired food, pizza boxes and take-out food containers could be put in a special green bucket for collection. The contents would be taken to a special facility that converts the organic waste into compost.
"The residents asked for it, and I asked for this to be included as an add-on to the bid when we re-negotiated the contract. Even though the mayor is a ceremonial post, you are the first and last voice at every Township Council meeting. You can put some of these projects forward," she said.
Mayor Lewis also has focused on raising the community’s awareness of "what goes on" in Lawrence, such as the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. There are some longtime residents who were unaware of the tree lighting ceremony, she said, adding that there was a "great turnout" at last month’s event.
"We have a lot of new residents and families, and we want to make sure they know about all the great things Lawrence has to offer. We want to take the great things we have done and amplify them," she said.
Mayor Lewis said she would like more residents to attend Township Council meetings, which take place on the first and third Tuesday each month. She said she would like more residents to attend the meetings, and offer input.
"I would like more people to come in and say, ‘This is a great program,’ or ‘Have you thought of doing a program like this.’ I think we are doing a lot of good things, but they could be better. I would like to get more community involvement. That’s the reason that I ran for Township Council," she said.
But of course, Mayor Lewis said, she would not have been able to accomplish as much as she has without the support of her husband, Paul Penna, and even the neighbors who occasionally baby-sit for her two young daughters.
"My daughter Abigail, who is three-and-a-half years old, looks at Town Hall when we drive past it. She says, ‘That’s where Mommy works.’ I tell her that’s where you get help. I hope that’s what other people think — that’s Town Hall and that’s where you go for help," the mayor said.
"At the end of the day, government should be here to help. I hope we do," Mayor Lewis said.

