Rampulla for Raritan Township Committee

Background:

I am a life long resident of New Jersey and long time resident of Hunterdon County where I am running. I was educated in New Jersey, first attending Middlesex County College then graduating from Rutger’s University. My professional experience started with nine years in research and development in the pharmaceutical industry. I went on to open a small business as a paint and wallpaper contractor, a non-traditional field for women but a successful venture nonetheless. Currently, I am an Information Technology professional working in the insurance industry. I am married and have two boys.

My community involvement started when I was a stay at home mother for a few short years. I volunteered in the schools that my boys were attending, putting my scientific background to use as a science fair judge and on a science curriculum review committee. I also delivered meals to senior citizens through our local Meals on Wheels program, bringing along my younger son to brighten the clients’ day.

I got my feet wet in Raritan Township government by serving on the Environmental Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Open Space Committee and our Affordable Housing Board. I had the opportunity to briefly serve on the Raritan Township Committee when I was appointed to fill a vacant committee seat in 2006. Seeing how government works, I am convinced that small changes add up and a vision can become a reality. But first you have to develop the vision and that’s what has been missing.
I am currently the Vice President of the Raritan Township Democratic Club and have been involved with Democratic campaigns since 2004. In 2007 we ended the Republican lock on the municipal committee by electing a Democrat. I’d like to join that Democrat in 2009.

Goals:

I’m running for Raritan Township Committee to establish a vision for our community’s future and bring a new level of planning to how we grow. My goals are to:
• Develop a long range plan to address our legal and moral obligations for affordable housing rather than just continuing to build McMansions. The recent changes to the NJ COAH rules present a challenge to the community but also an opportunity to move through some creative and reasoned solutions to the shortage of affordable housing.
• Attain fiscal responsibility through zero-based budgeting, shared services and increased use of technology. A modern approach to municipal operations will improve the ability of our township to provide services without bankrupting our taxpayers.
• Our township has signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. I will address components of the agreement in a cost effective way that is not just window dressing on the commitment that we made.
• I’d like to find new and creative uses for the open space that the township has acquired. We need to make it accessible to the community for a variety of activities and tap its potential to be an economic draw for the area.

Issues:

1. Fiscal Responsibility
2. Planning for a Sustainable Future
3. Ethical and Open Government

Grassroots Support:

Grass roots organizing will allow my campaign to tap resources to support the campaign without the bureaucracy of a top down organization. We’ll be able to take charge and react quicker to issues that come up over the course of the campaign. There are two main challenges that I face running this year. Campaigning in an area which is semi-rural and has scant media requires lots of door to door contact, taking the message to the voters. The close ties that a grass roots organization makes with community members will help spread my message.

DFA Values:

• I fully support marriage equality.
• I believe we have a moral obligation as well as a legal obligation to provide affordable housing in our community.
• I support the continued employment of union workers for township operations.
• I believe we have a moral obligation as well as a legal obligation to protect the environment.
• I am Pro-Choice, favor making condoms available to high school students, support sex education that includes but is not limited to abstinence, and support government funded family planning.
• I support Governor Corzine’s plan to encourage merging of communities to attain savings in municipal operations. I also believe that a well thought out plan for shared services can save tax dollars.
• I am fiscally responsible in my personal finances and would bring the same commitment to public finances