Kingsley, Woodruff Capture Berkeley Heights Council Seats

Jeanne Kingsley, a 15-year resident of the town with a long list of experience working in finance, and incumbent Robert "Bob" Woodruff, former mayor of Berkeley Heights, were both elected Tuesday to fill the two open seats on the Berkeley Heights Township Council, defeating Democrats Stephen Yellin and Jamie Divine Cadavid.

On June 7, 2011, Woodruff and Kingsley were nominated for the two open positions on the Township Council representing the Republican ticket.

Kingsley finished with 1,494 votes, while Woodruff garnered 1,459 votes. Yellin received 819 and Divine Cadavid 569 votes.

Woodruff said during his tenure as Mayor and in his current Council position, he has worked productively for the Township’s citizens and feels that his vast experience is important at this time.

“These difficult times require steady stewardship from those entrusted with governance," said Woodruff. "I look forward to continuing the civility which now characterizes our Council and the tone which reflects a positive future for the people of Berkeley Heights."

As the election approached, Kingsley said she was looking forward to working on three main issues: fiscal accountability, promoting shared services, and developing downtown Berkeley Heights.

Kingsley hopes to put her energy to work in the community.  

“My skill set is different from those who have served on the Council previously,” said Kingsley. "I have significant budgeting, forecasting and capital planning experience, and I believe my strongest ability is to look at situations with an eye toward the long term,” said Kingsley.

Kingsley says she understands the challenges facing her hometown.

“Considering the current budget restraints that everyone is feeling, our goal should be fiscal responsibility and accountability and that means keeping capital expenditures and salaries down, and working with Trenton on policies and laws that truly serve our towns,” said Kingsley.

In agreement with Woodruff, she said shared services are critical at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch.

She cited the police dispatch program that will be shared among the towns of Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights.

“Just this one initiative will ultimately save Berkeley Heights almost $400,000 that would have been necessary to upgrade the town’s outdated dispatch equipment.

“And it’s extremely important that we look for other opportunities for shared services,” said Kingsley.

Woodruff said that he sees shared services as an important solution to controlling municipal costs. He said merging the Berkeley Heights and New Providence municipal courts has proven to be successful and is a great example of how towns working together can create a win-win situation.

He believes that moving toward a shared police dispatch system, working with Summit and New Providence, will be just as successful.

Woodruff said the town of Summit is bringing to the table almost $2 million in grant money to install a new dispatch system that would be shared by the three towns.

“If we do not take part in this opportunity to share dispatch services, the Township would have to invest $500,000 to upgrade its dispatch system. This is a no-brainer,” said Woodruff.

Kingsley feels the development of the downtown area is another important issue that needs energy and attention.

“We really need to work to bring parties together, landowners and business owners – and encourage both to work together on a shared vision for the downtown area,” said Kingsley.

Woodruff is a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney and a partner in the law firm of Algeier Woodruff, P.C. in Morristown. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Fordham University School of Law and has been named one of the top Lawyers in New Jersey by Super Lawyers.

He is a 25-year resident of Berkeley Heights and a former Berkeley Heights P.A.L. football coach and Commissioner. He served on the P.A.L Board for twelve years and also served as a member of the Berkeley Heights Recreation Commission for nine years, and as Chairman for three years.

Upon earning a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Binghamton, Kingsley began her career at Deloitte & Touche and worked as a certified public accountant in the company’s audit practice areas.  Later in her career, she served as Vice President in the Controller's Department and Group Insurance Division of Prudential Insurance.  

Kingsley has also volunteered her time, serving on numerous boards and community organizations which include: Trustee of the Berkeley Heights Education Foundation, Treasurer of the Governor Livingston PTO; Trustee and Member of the Finance Council and core member of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Church of the Little Flower.

She has also been an active member of the Governor Livingston High School Booster Club, and has led the funding efforts of the girls' lacrosse team.

The energetic mother of four said she hopes to work with the Berkeley Heights Chamber of Commerce to consider ideas that will stimulate a vital business environment.

For Kingsley, consensus building is key.

“We have to encourage partnerships and bringing the right people together, and this is something that I believe is one of my strengths."

For Woodruff, the most important question to be asked at this time is: What does it cost, and what are we getting in return?

He said, “While this may not have always been the number one question, it needs to be now.”