Patch sent out questions to candidates seeking local public office. Here are candidate Mark Van Den Hende's answers:
Vianella Burns, Patch Staff
MENDHAM, NJ — Election Day is nearing, and Mendham voters will soon head to the polls to cast their votes for the open seats on the borough council.
Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates, seeking their responses. Here is the response from candidate Mark Van Den Hende.
What drove you to seek public office?
I’m inspired to seek the Borough Council position for two reasons. First, as a native New Jerseyan, I’ve loved Mendham since moving here when our twins were four. My wife Carol and I chose Mendham to raise our family and have stayed for the people we’ve met. Secondly, I’m running because my experience delivering complex projects provides me with the skills that can genuinely contribute to the future of our Borough and the well-being of our residents. This is especially true as our town faces the pressures developers are placing on the Borough to push through projects, and Mendham residents are dissatisfied with the lack of transparency in our current council. Having raised twin boys in Mendham I know that Mendham is a special place where families move to for the schools and the beauty and stay for generations. I’ll fight to preserve these attributes that we love.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
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First, experience. With over 35 years of experience in the power industry, I have a proven track record of building collaborative teams to deliver complex projects under budget and on time. My roles have included project manager, commercial manager, and lead engineer. Throughout my career, I have successfully managed multimillion-dollar projects, negotiated intricate contracts, and designed and procured equipment worth hundreds of millions. I excel in fostering effective communication and collaboration across all levels of an organization, whether working with executives and corporate counsel or collaborating directly with tradespeople.
Do you ever wonder what happens in a small borough government? I was motivated to apply my know-how, so I have spent two years contributing thought leadership and questions at Council, Joint Land Use Board (JLUB) and Environmental Commission, Open Space & Shade Tree (ECOSST) meetings. There’s real room for improvement. I understand why I hear from residents that transparency feels lacking. At times, agendas and pending resolutions or ordinances are posted at the last minute, limiting preparation by concerned citizens. Resolutions are introduced and adopted without a public reading. Public comments and questions are limited to minutes. The Borough Council has stated that they’re unable to implement live streaming for its meetings, despite it being a relatively straightforward technology. Many citizens have left the meetings with more questions than answers. Why the lack of transparency? Why limit discussions and input from residents? Why replace competent committee members with individuals that lack the knowledge and experience? Why not embrace collaborative efforts with the township? A vote for me will place decades of experience on the council.
What do you see as the biggest issue facing Mendham Borough?
The Borough is at a crucial crossroads, confronting a wave of development projects supported by teams of experts and attorneys. These initiatives pose significant challenges that our community, infrastructure, and environment are ill-prepared to manage. I am committed to leveraging my experience, leadership, and collaboration skills to benefit the Council and the citizens of the Borough. I aim to foster open communication with residents while working towards responsible development that meets our affordable housing obligations and addresses safety concerns, without compromising our historic community and fragile environment. The candidates you’re voting for will need the knowledge and experience to review and comprehend complex development applications. The courage to challenge developer’s experts and attorneys. And the skills to reshape projects into responsible and safe developments that take into consideration the competing needs of the developer, community, and the environment.
How do you keep the small town feel of Mendham Borough with the modern pressures of growth and development?
These are not partisan issues, they’re human ones. As an MBA, I’ll advocate for fiscal security. As a trained engineer, I’ll advocate for a fact-based approach to responsible development. As a dad, husband, and fellow resident, I’ll advocate for community members to have a seat at the table as we address these challenging issues. My focus is on thoughtful, sustainable growth that enhances our Borough without compromising what makes it unique.
Preserving Mendham’s small-town charm while supporting choiceful development requires careful planning and community engagement. I’ll leverage my decades of experience executing multimillion dollar projects to help ensure thoughtful decision-making. I also believe that every citizen’s voice has value in these decisions that affect us all. For too long, artificial barriers have prevented open discussion.
Imagine this. Instead of having a resolution or ordinance posted online just before a Council meeting, with a single copy available in the meeting, and an up-and-down vote, what if the Council committed to providing the documents several days in advance, with a summary of the intent and a reading in the meeting so that concerned citizens could provide constructive input prior to a vote?
Instead of putting a 3 minute limit on citizens being able to ask questions in meetings, what if the JLUB and Borough Council welcomed input from our residents? Instead of missing meetings when sick, traveling or providing care for others, residents could attend meetings online like Mendham Township, Bernardsville Borough, etc?
It’s your voice. It’s your vote. It’s time for a more balanced, level-headed, collaborative approach that will preserve our beautiful Borough. Vote for myself and Bob Ritger to help tip the scales to allow your opinions to be heard.
What is your favorite part of living in Mendham?
There’s so much to love.
First, the people. From the moment we met the teachers at Hilltop School, to chatting with neighbors, friends, volunteers and more, my wife and I knew that this town is filled with genuine and kind people. That’s why I’ve been giving back in the community for years, by serving as a poll worker on election days and donating to local organizations.
Secondly, the businesses. Our week isn’t complete without a visit to the local cleaners, bank, post office, restaurants, and stores. In large part, it’s because it’s a joy to see Michelle at the teller’s station, to say hello while dropping a package off to Greg, or to ask Simone about the menu options when dining at Sapori D’Italia, to name just a few of our favorites!
Saving the best for last, the town traditions create a lifetime of memories. Mendham parades dotted our childrens’ upbringing. In the past weeks, we’ve enjoyed seeing friends and neighbors at Mendham Fest, and have loved the bonfires, concerts, book talks, and so much more.
Come to think of it, what I treasure all circles back to the same powerful concept: the people that form this community. I cherish Mendham, and this will motivate me every day to work hard to keep this town a place where people feel connected and proud to live.
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