To the Editor:
After many years of working together for our community on different initiatives, we are very excited to announce that we are running together for Hopewell. Marylou is running for Mayor, and Heidi is running for a seat on Borough Council.
Our platform is based on our core values of respect, transparency, and communication, building on the foundation our party has established. We want to reach out to increase participation and awareness among community members.
We want all of our citizens to be able to find information easily, and to know that when they come to a public meeting, they will be received with respect and — even if they don’t get the answer they were hoping for — heard and treated with consideration.
There are several issues that are important to both of us:
- Maintaining multiple channels of accessible and timely communication with the community, both on and off-line.
- Improving traffic and pedestrian safety, working collaboratively with the Pedestrian Bicycle & Safety Advisory Committee (PBSAC), Mercer County, and Greater Mercer Transportation Authority
- Advocating for traffic calming gateways entering the Borough
- Exploring ways to improve the Borough’s environmental practices and educate the community on more sustainable land stewardship practices
- Working together with Downtown Hopewell to support our local business community and promote Hopewell as a destination.
During the next few months, we will be seeking input from the community, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Those of you who know us already know this is going to be a positive campaign; we look forward to advancing the progressive values we all stand for in the small town we all love.
Marylou is the current Vice-Chair of the Borough Planning Board. She has served as a trustee of the Watershed Institute, the Sourland Conservancy, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and is a co-founder of Hope Rises Up. Her previous experience in local government includes two terms on the Hopewell Township Governing Body, serving as both Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Heidi has lived in Hopewell Borough since 2006, and has been an active member of the community ever since. She has held leadership roles in the Hopewell Valley Girl Scouts, Hopewell Harvest Fair, Hope Rises Up (co-founder), and Hopewell Borough Economic Development Committee, and is currently one of the driving forces getting the Downtown Hopewell initiative launched. Heidi is the owner of dandelion wishes, a small shop in town featuring the work of artists from all across North America.
We invite you to visit our website bit.ly/mlandh to learn more about our goals for our Hopewell, as well as learning more about who we are and our motivation for stepping up in this moment. We will be sharing more information and seeking the community’s input as we walk door-to-door during the next few months.
Sincerely,
Marylou Ferrara & Heidi Wilenius
