EDISON — Six candidates are vying for the three, four-year terms available for the Township Council in the upcoming election.
Democrat incumbents Robert Diehl, Alvaro Gomez and newcomer Samip “Sam” Joshi will face Republican candidates Larry Deutchman, Wayne Mascola and Maria Orchid.
Larry David Deutchman, 66, who is a 30-year resident of the township, is seeking his first term on the council. He has two adult sons.
Deutchman earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a manager at an automobile dealership and previously worked as a financial advisor for 30 years for municipalities/educational institutions.
In the community, Deutchman has served in the Clara Barton Neighborhood organization for eight years, served as president of the Downtown Plaza Condominium Association for 12 years, served as president and current board member of Beth Mordecai Synagogue for 10 years, served as poll worker for eight years, and has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for five years.
“As a 30-year resident, our taxes do not provide our residents with a fair value,” he said. “Residents who actively attend council meetings who demonstrate examples of legitimate quality of life issues, to current council, often leave with no solution provided.”
Deutchman said Edison Township government needs to listen, be responsive to all citizens’ needs and be held accountable.
“Edison Township government has no vision for our short-term and long term,” he said. “Edison Township needs another set of eyes, which provides an end to “one party” rule.”
If elected, Deutchman said he would like to address infrastructure of roads and parks and sustainable thinking.
For roads, he said he would like to see the plan to pave all the roads throughout the township with well-lit streets.
“After all we carry the namesake of the inventor, [Thomas] Edison,” he said.
For parks, Deutchman said he would like to improve and expand the township’s parks, greenways and create safe seasonal outdoor activities for children and establish pride for Edison.
As for sustainable thinking, Deutchman said the township should provide those who use hybrid and battery powered vehicles with charging stations and make use of LED lighting throughout the township.
“Let Edison lead by providing eco-friendly examples to shine throughout the community, county and state,” he said.
Robert C. Diehl, 64, who has lived in Edison for 35 years, is seeking his fifth term on council. He and his wife have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Diehl earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in supervision and administration from Kean College. He is a principal at Roosevelt Elementary School in South Plainfield.
In the community, Diehl has served on the Middlesex County Utilities Authority.
“I am a long-time Edison resident with a successful record of public service,” he said. “I currently serve on several municipal and regional committees. I am a vocal advocate for local environmental initiatives. My experience and understanding of Edison, coupled with my professionalism and communication skills have made me an effective council member for the past sixteen years. I enjoy serving my community and wish to continue my service.”
Diehl said the most important issue is to keep municipal property taxes as low and stable as possible, making Edison affordable for families and the township’s growing senior population.
“I believe Town Hall’s first responsibility is to provide the best possible services to its residents,” he said. “Local government must also strive to be economical as possible. Striking that balance requires the kind of vigilance and problem-solving skills that I bring to our Township Council.”
Alvaro Gomez, 40, who is a 16-year resident of the township, is seeking his third term on the council. He is married.
Gomez earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the New Jersey City University. He is the director of finance at a medical communications agency.
Gomez said serving the people of Edison for the past seven years has been a tremendous privilege and pleasure.
“I wish to continue that service,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to work with so many residents who share my desire to make Edison a better place to live and work. There is no greater reward for me than to help shape positive changes for my community.”
Gomez said if reelected he will ensure that people’s hard-earned tax dollars continue to be reinvested in high-quality, efficiently-delivered township services and continue to be used to improve our infrastructure.
“The primary goal of our tax model is to collect taxes and return them to our residents in the form of services and a strong infrastructure,” he said. “Every dollar that Edison Township receives must be used wisely and spent prudently, it must have purpose.”
Gomez said his personal goal is to make certain this happens and simultaneously, to maintain tax stability so Edison remains an affordable place to live.
Samip “Sam” Joshi, 28, who has been a lifelong resident of the township, is seeking his first term on council.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and labor studies from Rutgers University and earned a mini-MBA (master’s in business administration) in marketing through the Rutgers University Executive Education Program.
Joshi is an executive vice president at SD Capital Funding, a mortgage financing firm and is a co-founder of Loanscribe, a student loan refinancing firm.
The newcomer has experience with his extensive political involvement in the township since 2004 and he serves as elected vice president of the Middlesex County Young Democrats.
Joshi has also volunteered and/or raised funds for many organizations and foundations.
“I am running for Township Council to represent the short and long-term interests of our community,” he said. “I believe my combined experience in business and continuous local activism will bring a unique perspective to the Township Council.”
If elected, Joshi said he would focus on redevelopment and economic growth of the neighborhood around and closest to the Edison Train Station, off Plainfield Avenue.
“The Edison Train station area has the most potential for economic growth,” he said. “There is a sufficient amount of underused property to develop or redevelop the area into a commercial marketplace. Attracting more commercial and small businesses and property tax revenue to Edison is a necessary step to help relieve the tax burden on residential property owners.”
Maria Orchid, 50, who has lived in the township for 17 years, is seeking her first term on the council. She is married with four children, ages ranging from 13 to 25.
Orchid attended business courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a senior payroll specialist.
In the community, Orchid serves as a committee person, is a Middlesex Greenway volunteer, treasurer of the Clara Barton Neighborhood Preservation Committee, started the Clara Barton Neighborhood Block Watch, serves as vice president of the Herbert Hoover Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and serves as vice president of the Edison High School PTSO vice president.
Orchid said she is running for a seat to make a difference in the community with the quality of life issues including affordable housing, access to parks, community activities, good jobs, safety and a lower crime rate.
If elected, Orchid said she would like to stream line the township’s permit and license process and to start a small business initiative to attract more businesses to Edison.
“I feel we have a lot to offer and there is a lot of opportunity for a company to grow,” she said.
Wayne Joseph Mascola Sr., 62, who is a 36-year resident of the township, is seeking another term on the council. He previously served two terms on the council as a Democrat.
He is married with four adult children, four grandchildren and two more on the way.
Mascola is a 1973 Metuchen High School graduate. He earned an associate’s degree in applied science and computer science from Middlesex County College. He is an information technology director at Brook warehouse in Bridgewater.
In the community, he served as a member of the Grand Knight Pope Pius Council 4885 Knights of Columbus, Edison, served as a coach of Edison Boys Baseball, served as coach at St. Matthew the Apostle Girls Softball and coach of Edison Soccer Co-Ed Team, served as president of the Athletic Association at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, president of Home School Association St. Matthew the Apostle School, and president of Father’s Club St. Matthew the Apostle School.
“The reason I am running for council is because I care about the residents of Edison,” Mascola said. “They deserve to have someone who will speak for them, and not simply a “yes” person for the administration. The residents of Edison should get the best value for their tax dollar.”
Problems like the number of consultants in Town Hall need attention, Mascola said.
“We need people with the proper qualifications holding important positions like Chief Financial Officer, Director of Engineering, and Director of Public Works,” he said. “Since taking office, Mayor [Thomas] Lankey has employed an acting CFO and financial firm. Meanwhile there are three people in Town Hall with CFO licenses posing the question “why aren’t we utilizing them?” Additionally, the township employs a full-time grant writer yet an outside firm was hired to do the work. What is the purpose of this? Mayor Lankey and his team continue to raise taxes and spend money unnecessarily.”
Mascola said if elected, it is important that the township fills empty director positions in the township with qualified people.
“Second, the nepotism and hiring of people for political gain and/or payback is out of control and must stop immediately,” he said. “Our residents need to know how the township is really being run and get involved in the running of it.”
Mascola said he encourages residents to attend council meetings and make their voices be heard.
“This is an important step in bringing about change,” he said. “By not being involved it sends a message to the administration that they are free to do whatever they want.”
Mascola said when he campaigns the top complaint of residents is the high taxes.
“We must see to it that the Mayor, his Council, and Administration are held accountable and this can only happen with the right people in office and if we, the residents are involved,” he said.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7.