Hightstown Borough Council Candidate Profile: Susan Bluth

Name: Susan Bluth
Party: Democrat
Running for: 3 year term

Why are you running for council?
I am running for Borough Council for several reasons.  I’m running because I want to expand on what comes naturally to me – serving my community.  Before I moved to Hightstown almost seven years ago, I served for many years on the Board of Directors of a 1200 member Little League program in Marlboro.  Shortly after moving to Wyckoff’s Mill I successfully ran for a seat on the Board of Directors and am now in my sixth year as a Board member, having served as secretary, president and treasurer.  When our condominiums were revalued several years ago, I organized and accompanied a large group of homeowners to a Borough Council meeting, where many of us spoke up in protest against the property tax revaluations.  Since that time I have continued to attend most Council meetings and am now an elected Democratic Committeeperson for Hightstown’s District 1.  I am also currently a member of the Hightstown Board of Health. 

I am also running for Borough Council because I don’t want to watch others determine the fate and future of our Borough.  I want to be involved in shaping its future.  I’m not the type of person who complains that things are wrong but doesn’t do anything about it.  Rather, I try to make a difference. 

What are the three issues most important to you?
The most important issues to me are shared services, community participation and promoting the qualities of Hightstown.  Sharing services with our neighboring communities is the only way to provide more efficient government while at the same time create savings for taxpayers.  State aid to municipalities will almost certainly continue to decline, while State-mandated costs such as health care and pension obligations will continue to rise.  The only responsible approach to deal with this reality is to find sustainable, long-term solutions for these changing economic times.  All opportunities for sharing services need to be fully explored. 

I also strongly promote community participation.  A good council person serves as the voice of the people and represents the majority of those voices rather than acts on the capricious ideas of a few.  As I do in Wyckoff’s Mill, I will reach out to the residents in Hightstown and listen to the issues that concern them and keep their interests in clear view.  I will encourage and push for the Borough Council to hold periodic meetings where the residents can express their concerns and ideas by way of an open dialogue with the Council members.  It is extremely important to truly listen to what people have to say and provide a response.

The qualities of Hightstown need to be promoted.  Our small suburban Borough has a great deal of character and charm and is ideally located between Philadelphia and New York.  It is imperative that we promote these features and attract people to live in Hightstown and build their small businesses here.  We don’t want people to pass through Hightstown on a daily basis just to get somewhere else.  We want them to stroll downtown and patronize the stores and restaurants. 

Why should residents vote for you?
I believe that my achievements in Wyckoff’s Mill make me a strong fit to serve on the Hightstown Council.  I promote accountability of the Board to the homeowners – fairness in the treatment of the homeowners – enforcement of our rules.  I keep a very close eye on our budget and am more frugal with the association’s money than I am with my own.  I have strong leadership qualities, a good head on my shoulders and I carefully deliberate all pros and cons before making decisions.  I’m realistic, not idealistic, but I fight for what I believe in.  These traits are essential to successfully serving a community.