Letter to the Editor: Giving Back to Berkeley Heights: Why I’m Running for Township Council

My name is Stephen Yellin, and I want to serve you on the Berkeley Heights Township Council. For more information about me and my positions, visit my website at http://www.bhdems.com.

The first question any candidate for office should be asked is "Why are you running?". For me, the answer is simple. I love my community, and want to give back to it in the way I know best - through public service. As a lifelong resident of Berkeley Heights, a proud graduate of our public schools and a frequent attendee of Council meetings, I know just how lucky I was to be born in this town. While we face many problems - problems I believe I can help resolve - the "upside" of Berkeley Heights is tremendous.

Although I have 2 opponents in this election, I am not running against them. Rather, I'm running for Township Council; the difference is that, while I think well and respect the current Council, there are certain issues that I believe I can make a major contribution to as a Councilman. I will discuss those issues - Communications, Open Government, Property Taxes, our Downtown, and so forth - in future columns before the election on November 8th.

For now, I will simply note what the residents of Berkeley Heights will get by electing me on November 8th:

• Honest, open decisions - you will always know where I stand and why I vote the way I do
• A good listener - I care about what our residents think, and will listen to them before taking action.
• A different perspective - The Council in 2012 will consist entirely of Republican businessmen or lawyers. Electing a Democrat with a background in communications will be a great help in working on difficult issues. 

I urge you to e-mail me at stephen@bhdems.com if you have any questions to ask me, or any ideas you have for Berkeley Heights. You can also attend my campaign kickoff this Saturday, October 1st from 7-9PM; it is free and open to the public. You can get the address for the kickoff at my website, http://www.bhdems.com.

My name is Stephen Yellin, and I want to give back to Berkeley Heights. On November 8th, you can help me do that.