Kelly Howard Says Experience, Leadership Can Bring Results to Cranford

The Township Committee seats of Commissioner Kevin Campbell and Deputy Mayor Ed O’Malley will be vacant at the end of the year and four residents are vying for the spots, including resident Kelly Howard.

Howard has never served on the committee, but currently serves on the Zoning Board. He is also a member of the Police Athletic League and a board member of the Cranford Wrestling Parents Club.

A debate between the candidates will be held at the Cranford Municipal Building on Thursday evening at 8 p.m.

Read more about Howard below.

Name:  Kelly M. Howard
Age: 41
Address: 24 Madison Avenue  
Length of Time in Cranford: 3 years  
Education: BA, Sociology, Richard Stockton College
Family Life: Married for 15 years to Tracy Howard.  We have 3 boys – Robert (11), Connor (9) and Cian (6) 
Professional Life: Vice President, Global Corporate Communications, Broadridge Financial. I am responsible for communications and thought leadership for a $2.5 billion publicly traded company and serve as the primary spokesperson for media and other stakeholders.    

I have deep experience leading and running businesses.  I led firmwide communications for PwC, one of the leading consultancies in the world, and ran a New York based public relations firm for more than a decade to double digit and global growth, having opened offices in London and Singapore.  I have deep experience managing people, working with budgets, solving complex problems and leading organizations.

1. Please list the three most important issues facing Cranford in this election and explain your position on each.

There are a number of important issues but many can be boiled down to financial management, flood control and protecting home values.  Cranford needs experienced leaders with a background in managing budgets, holding down costs and utilizing resources more efficiently.  Securing over $1 million in federal grants, which the current Township Committee has done, is an example of the type of financial leadership that needs to continue.  

The branch/tree removal and de-silting of the river is a step to mitigate the impacts of weather events that cause flooding.  That said, I am proposing that Cranford create an annual River Maintenance Fund in the capital budget to address issues annually.

Homes are typically the largest investment for most people and protecting that investment is a priority for me.  Investing in the community through programs like the repaving of roads is important.  But I believe that we need to be more active in ways that can tangibly increase home values.  As an example, I will work to ensure that Cranford gets a one-seat NJ Transit train ride.  This is not simply a commuter issue.  Research has shown that homes within one mile of a train that goes directly to New York increase by 19% and homes between 1-2 miles increase by 14%.  As a town of approximately four square miles, this type of increase will benefit all Cranford homeowners.

2. What made you decide to run for a seat on the Township Committee this year?

Cranford has given much to me and my family and I believe it is important to give back by contributing my experience in the business world to the management and governance of our town.  Mayor Tom Hannen is an experienced, objective businessman like me and I discovered that our values aligned.  He believes in delivering proactive and responsive services to the community.  And with three young children in the school system, I thought it important to contribute to the short and long term success of our community.

4. How do you feel about the township committee form of government and the way in which the position of mayor is decided in the township?

For the first time in many years, we have a strong mayor.  Under Mayor Hannen’s leadership more has been accomplished in the last 10 months than in any 10 month period in recent history.  The way to ensure that we continue to have a strong mayor is to elect me and re-elect my running mate, Kevin Campbell.

I believe strongly in choice and the rights of citizens to determine their form of government.  If elected, I will support Cranford voters having the opportunity to study changing our form of government.  

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is an important election for Cranford.  The results have specific and meaningful implications for our community.  We face big issues – among them flooding, town finances, hiring a business administrator and irresponsible development – to name a few.  But we also face great opportunities…opportunities to continue the tremendous progress made over the last 10 months under Mayor Hannen’s leadership.  

My wife Tracy and I brought our family to Cranford three years ago for the same reasons so many of our friends and neighbors are second and third generation residents…the close knit community…the great downtown…the safe streets…and the great schools.  Our 3 young boys – Robert is 11, Connor is 9 and Cian is 6 – attend Cranford schools.  I currently serve the community on the Zoning Board, am a Police Athletic League Board Member and also a board member of the Cranford Wrestling Parents Club.

Importantly, service to the community or length of time living in Cranford does not qualify one to analyze complex situations AND make sound, objective decisions that are in the best interest of ALL Cranford citizens.  That capability comes through experience, leadership and proven results.  It comes from actually having run complex organizations.  And I have done that in the business world and would like to apply my experiences to helping to continue making Cranford a great place to live.