summit

Candidate Statements

November 6, 2023

As our campaign nears its conclusion, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and trust you have placed in me during this remarkable journey. Connecting with each of you, understanding your concerns, and collectively envisioning a brighter Summit has been an extraordinary experience. In ...

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November 6, 2023

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have had to run for Mayor of the town I love so deeply. I am inspired by the people around me who have spent countless hours knocking on doors with me, calling people to remind them to vote, analyzing data, writing notes on my behalf, introducing me to ...

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November 6, 2023

November 5, 2023

Dear undecided neighbor, It has been an honor and a privilege to run for office. I ran a clean campaign, focused on the issues and avoiding negative ad hominem attacks. If you have yet to make up your mind on who to vote for, here is a list of all my position papers, endorsements and letter of ...

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November 5, 2023

November 4, 2023

As the municipal elections wind down, let’s talk about governing. After all, that’s the whole point—working towards a better Summit for all of us. If you do me the honor of electing me to represent Ward 2, here are some specific priorities on which I’d like to work on for you: Finance Work ...

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November 4, 2023

November 2, 2023

Dear Friends,  After going to thousands of doors, I have listened to so many different residents tell me their stories. I’ve heard from new residents who have just moved here, and I’ve talked to families who have lived in Summit for generations. There are residents dealing with loved ones ...

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November 1, 2023

Born to Run is about Bruce Springsteen’s need to escape his hometown, to run away. I’m running to mine. I’m running for Common Council, Ward 1 and hope I’ll be fortunate enough to earn your vote. The Boss is famous for the passion he has for his fans, and the passion they have for him.Our ...

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November 1, 2023

November 1, 2023

As my campaign comes to a close, I wanted to share some final thoughts with you. My guiding principle—that the purpose of government is to help people and make our lives better—is why I serve and what drives me to seek this seat for a full term on Council. Being appointed as Councilmember At-Large ...

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November 1, 2023

October 31, 2023

It has been an honor and a thrill to run for office. As we reach the final stretch of the campaign trail, I am reminded about who we are as a community. When I was asked to run to represent my Ward 1 neighbors on Common Council, I was a bit apprehensive: I had never sought elected office—and ...

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October 31, 2023

October 26, 2023

I’m writing to all of you Summit Residents who have yet to vote. I know from my time campaigning that many of you already know who you support. There’s no question, you’ve decided. If you haven’t decided, you probably see the potential in all eight candidates. I’d respectfully ask that you give the ...

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October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

Running for Council is an experience like no other. I was prepared for the effort, for the late nights and hard questions, and even for wearing out a few pairs of shoes while canvassing. All that has happened. More than I could imagine, wonderful things have happened, too. In the course of ...

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October 26, 2023

October 17, 2023

We should test reducing average traffic speeds by evaluating permanent Radar Speed Signs. These signs nudge motorists to respect the speed limit by comparing their speed to the posted speed limit.  The nudge works. I share references to two studies at the bottom of this statement. In one of them ...

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October 17, 2023

October 15, 2023

Summit’s diversity makes us better and stronger. That diversity isn’t limited to heritage, faith, or economic status. One thing that’s often overlooked: diversity includes age. Living in a multi-generational community brings wisdom and vitality to all of us. My family’s story is typical of ...

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October 15, 2023

October 4, 2023

Dear Friends, This year we witnessed wildfire-orange skies, record-high temperatures and torrential rains virtually every few days.  We not only feel the impact on our activities, but on our infrastructure—our roads and sewers—which deteriorates as a result, costing us tax dollars to repair—and ...

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October 4, 2023

September 17, 2023

Earlier in my campaign, I wrote to you about safety. I want to revisit this issue to talk about a new initiative that the Summit Police Department (SPD) is planning to undertake. One of the most important responsibilities of Summit’s mayor is protecting the health and safety of our entire ...

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September 17, 2023

September 14, 2023

Zoning matters. By telling us what we can build and where we can build it, zoning helps shape what Summit looks like. It tells us where we can live, work, and play. I’ve served on the Summit Zoning Board since December 2020, where I’ve prioritized increasing transparency, closing developer ...

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September 14, 2023

September 12, 2023

As candidates for Mayor and Council, and given the influence of our elected officials, we believe it is critical that the community understands where we stand on the local issues that matter most to residents, including the appointment of volunteers to the City's boards and agencies.  As you may ...

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September 12, 2023

September 10, 2023

The ordinance proposed on Tuesday to repeal the Broad Street West Redevelopment Plan is a positive first step towards restoring the prior zoning to all the lots that were part of the BSW redevelopment. However, there is still significant work to be done to ensure that Summit is truly out of the ...

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September 4, 2023

As school begins and trips to the Shore and other summer activities are in the rear window, it’s a great time to refresh our understanding of how our Summit public schools actually work.  Children from across the community, such as my younger son, are looking forward to that always-exciting first ...

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September 4, 2023

August 30, 2023

During the past few months, I have knocked on thousands of doors and enjoyed hundreds of conversations with residents. I am not surprised that crime prevention has been a common theme of these conversations, given that the number one responsibility of government is to provide safety to our ...

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August 30, 2023

August 27, 2023

Dear Summit Residents, The "Together for Summit" ticket (Fagan for Mayor, Smallwood for Council At-Large, Pawlowski for Council Ward 1, and Boyer for Council Ward 2) writes to address several pertinent issues related to the upcoming election. First, though, it is unfortunate and disheartening ...

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August 27, 2023

August 25, 2023

Since launching my campaign, I’ve knocked nearly 3,000 doors and have had hundreds of conversations. One of the most common questions I get is: “What do you do on Council?” As your 2023 Chair of the Council Capital Projects Committee (CAPs), here are my four favorite accomplishments. ROADS. What ...

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August 25, 2023

August 21, 2023

Inclusivity is one of the values that drives my campaign and one of my goals as mayor. I know so many of our friends and neighbors agree that hate has no home in Summit. That is why I have worked so hard over the years to help make Summit more welcoming to all communities. While I was on Council, ...

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August 21, 2023

August 18, 2023

I am the father of three boys entering first, third and fifth grades at Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary, where I also am entering my third year serving as PTO Treasurer. I believe that the strength of our public schools is the key to Summit’s success. One of my key priorities is to improve our already ...

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August 18, 2023

August 3, 2023

Just before the July 18th Council meeting, I posted a candidate statement about safety on TAPinto Summit. On July 20th, I updated that statement in the comments to my candidate page with the following points based on developments from that council meeting: Summit’s finest are a talented and ...

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July 19, 2023

Our streets and sidewalks matter. They are how we connect with each other, with our downtown, and with most of Summit. Our ability to navigate safely by car, by bicycle, and on foot matters greatly—I’ve heard more about this than anything else as I knock doors and talk to residents. The good ...

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July 19, 2023

July 18, 2023

As I continue to knock on doors this summer, the consensus of our neighbors is that they feel less safe today than when they moved to Summit.  Public Safety is the responsibility of our elected officials, and every one of them will tell you that they value safety above all else.  But do they?  To ...

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July 18, 2023

July 12, 2023

Dear Friends, As I have been walking door-to-door, some residents have talked to me about public safety. As you may know, the mayor also serves as police commissioner and is in daily contact with the police chief. This makes it extremely important for any new mayor to have experience working ...

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July 6, 2023

Over the past few months I’ve had hundreds of conversations with residents and have received a lot of great feedback about traffic, to complement my own experience. I think it is safe to say that the residents of Summit know where the problem spots are: excessive speed and motorists ignoring stop ...

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July 6, 2023

July 5, 2023

During my candidacy for Mayor, I have been publicly vocal and transparent about one of the most important issues in the upcoming election, which is the fate of the Broad Street West Redevelopment project. I have pledged to fight overdevelopment, preserve the charm of Summit, and put the interest of ...

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July 5, 2023

July 3, 2023

Dear Friends, I am running for mayor because, as a former member of Council, the Planning Board and the Environmental Commission, I have experience working across the aisle to get things done for the people of Summit. I know how to take on tough challenges and complex problems affecting us, and ...

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July 3, 2023