Kinnelon Council Candidate Inspired by Volunteerism

The following is the third in a three-part series of profiles of the Republican candidates running for in the June 5 primary. Read Councilman and

Carol Sventy is running for her first term on the Kinnelon Council. We asked her a few questions about her history in the borough and why she decided to run. Here's what she had to say:

Q: Tell me a little about your history in Kinnelon.

A: It all started when I filled out a volunteer form that had been mailed to me by the Friends of the along with a request for a membership donation. The form asked if I would be interested in volunteering for any one of a number of activities and I selected two items: Book Sale and Arts and Crafts Festival, since both were things that I was interested in. I then became active with another group called "Ambling Along," sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning, and now, as they say, the rest is history! Everything blossomed from this point on and then, to my surprise, in 2011 I was honored to be named

I continue to remain actively and passionately involved in the following organizations:

• The Friends of the Kinnelon Library Board of Governors (since 1997)
• Currently serving as Vice President (since 2002)
• The Center for Lifelong Learning Board of Governors (since 1998)
• The Center for Lifelong Learning Registrar (since 1999)
• The Kinnelon After School Enrichment program (since 2000)
• Kinnelon's Open Space Advisory Committee (since 2002)
• Currently serving as Chairperson (since 2004)
• Kinnelon's Environmental Commission (since 2004)

Q: What made you decide to run for the seat on the Kinnelon Council?

A: I have worked long and hard for positive change in Kinnelon for close to 16 years and I have contributed and helped to improve the quality of life for all Kinnelon residents. Having worked with the council for the past 10 years or more has given me a unique insight. I’m involved in local government now as a volunteer, and want to continue to contribute and in order to be more effective, I must run for Kinnelon Council. We are one community with different needs and wants for ourselves and our children.

I want to protect Kinnelon’s unique lifestyle and environment. We are fortunate to live in a town that appreciates and nourishes its natural environment and the people who reside here. I have always been very passionate about and actively involved in education, open space, recreation and environmental issues within the Borough of Kinnelon. All of my work has been to improve the lives and
environment for our children and our residents.

Q: What are a few issues of most concern to you regarding the borough?

• A: Would like to continue to hold down our taxes through shared services.
• Continue and increase good relations with our board of education.
• Safe, practical, and fiscally responsible recreation fields.
• Continue to support the public library as our community’s educational, informational and cultural center for people of all ages in Kinnelon.
• Help educate and increase Kinnelon residents’ knowledge and involvement in becoming better stewards of our open space and recreation facilities by providing active and passive recreation for all residents.
• Develop a Kinnelon trails map
• Work to establish a community/youth center
• Create an area/track for walking
• Establish a community garden

Q: If there is one area that you think could be cut to save the borough money, what would it be?

• A: Safe, practical, and fiscally responsible recreation fields
• Hold down taxes through shared services

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: Hiking, walking our dog, movies/books and computers. When I get the chance to get away, I love vacationing with family and friends, and, of course, volunteering for the community. Ever since I can remember, I have been a volunteer. Starting when I was very young, my mother was involved in many activities (Girl/Boy Scouts, League of Women Voters, Historical Society, school organizations, PTA, civic organizations). Whenever she saw something was not quite right in our community, she did something about it, and this is where I "got the bug to volunteer."

Q: Tell me about your family.

A: I was born in Montclair and when I was five, my family moved to a small town in Michigan. I attended public schools there up until ninth grade when I was fortunate to attend Culver Girls Academy. I then went on to study Business Management and Horsemanship Stable Management at Virginia Intermont College where I met my husband, John. Soon after college graduation, we moved to New Jersey, got married and moved to Kinnelon. We fell in love with Kinnelon and have lived happily here in Kinnelon for 29 years. We’ve had a few opportunities to move to other communities, both in NJ and other states, but did not due to family and because we didn’t want to leave Kinnelon and the many friends and neighbors we have here.

Q: Anything else I didn't ask?

A: What will I bring to the Kinnelon Borough Council? My experience in working with people in the borough renders me an approachable, knowledgeable, well organized and effective individual that gets the results our community needs and requires.

Kinnelon residents can go to my website, where there is additional information about me I welcome and encourage Kinnelon residents' comments and suggestions. Without their valuable public input, government is left to make decisions based on statistics and their own personal experience.

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