Incumbent Lawrence Township Councilwoman Bonne Giglio is running unopposed for a one-year unexpired term in the Nov. 3 general election.
Giglio, a Democrat, was appointed to the Township Council in February after former Councilwoman Olympia I’Liou Perry resigned in January. Perry’s term would have ended in December 2027.
Giglio has lived in Lawrence Township since 2010 and has been active in local and county organizations for years. She is executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation and previously served for eight years on the township’s Recreation Advisory Committee.
Her community involvement also has included the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women and the Mercer County Federation of Democratic Women. Closer to home, she has been involved with the Parent Teacher Organizations at her children’s schools and the MOMS Club of Lawrence Township.
When she sought appointment to the council earlier this year, Giglio said she wanted to bring her political experience, knowledge of Lawrence and community involvement to the governing body. She cited expanded recreational opportunities, greater interaction between volunteer committees and the Township Council, improved walkability and safe routes to school among her priorities.
Giglio was appointed Feb. 17 after being one of three potential candidates whose names were submitted to the Township Council by the Lawrence Township Democratic Committee.
The Lawrence Gazette invited Giglio to share her views.
Why are you running for Township Council?
Giglio: I am running for Lawrence Township Council in order to continue the work I have already been able to accomplish in the past few months that I have been serving on council. I was appointed in February after a council member stepped down, and I have been hard at work ever since I was appointed. I stepped up to serve because I love this town and wanted to help make it the best place to live.
I was first introduced to the value of public service by my former boss, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, and I have never forgotten the lessons I learned while being a young staffer in his office.
Serving on Township Council has been such a privilege. I look forward to continuing the good work that I have been privileged to be a part of in the last few months. I work alongside the most dedicated public servants on council and incredibly talented municipal employees, all of whom help make Lawrence the amazing town that it is.
In the past few months, I helped promote and hold two public town hall-style meetings for the master plan and the RFP discussion for the future of the Community Center. I introduced a proclamation to honor a hometown hero, Jamie Ding, and a proclamation marking June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
What do you hope to accomplish in your next term?
Giglio: I look forward to introducing an ordinance banning data centers in our town, as well as continuing to work on issues that affect everyone in town, like the fire study results, the future of the Community Center and the future of our affordable housing requirements.
I want to continue to help the town expand its trails and open space, as well as improve accessibility throughout the town for all types of transit, including bicycling and running.
The people of Lawrence are what make it so special, and I want to ensure that everyone is afforded opportunities to have their voices heard on all of the important issues that face our town. Public town hall-style meetings are a wonderful way to accomplish that goal, and I will continue to hold those types of meetings if I am privileged enough to be elected to continue to serve on council.
Three running uncontested for Lawrence School Board
Two incumbent school board members and a newcomer are seeking election to the Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 3 general election.
Incumbents Michele Bowes and Arundel Clarke are joined on the ballot by newcomer Mark Elliott.
Bowes has served on the school board since 2016. She is the board president and chair of the Negotiations Committee. She also serves on the Curriculum Instruction Assessment and Development Committee and the Finance Committee.
Clarke has served on the school board since 2021. He serves on the Personnel Committee and the Negotiations Committee and is the liaison to Student Services.
Elliott is seeking election to the school board for the first time. He is running for the seat held by board member Diana Pasculli, who is not seeking another term.
The Gazette asked the candidates why they are seeking election to the school board and what they hope to accomplish during their three-year terms.
Why are you seeking election to the school board?
Bowes: I am seeking re-election so that I can continue the work of seeing the district’s reconfiguration through to completion. I feel a strong responsibility to our students, our district and our community to help ensure that this transition is successful and that we continue to manage the district’s finances responsibly, following the passage of the $98 million referendum.
I will remain committed to providing thoughtful leadership, maintaining fiscal responsibility and making decisions that support the long-term success of our schools and the students we serve.
Clarke: I am seeking another term because I’ve had the pleasure of serving the school district through the referendum. During that time, I have interacted with people from all different walks of life.
I would like to continue my growth with the district in this way.
Elliott: I am running for school board because the quality of our schools is important not just for our students, but for our community. As a school parent, I have seen the importance of an engaging and supportive school environment firsthand.
I have also taken an active interest in the quality of education by attending school board meetings. Through these school board meetings, I have grown an understanding as to what work goes into the success of our students.
A fundamental belief of mine is that when a community’s school increases the quality of education for all its students, all community members benefit. Betters schools result in higher achieving students that have more opportunities after graduation. More opportunities after graduation means greater economic opportunities and the ability for graduates to reinvest in Lawrence and continue the cycle.
Higher quality schools also attract more families into our community and raise real estate values for everyone. Both as a Lawrence Township Public Schools parent and community member, I recognized that Lawrence already has great schools, but that doesn’t mean more can’t be done.
In short, schools are the heart of every community and are essential for every community member’s future social and economic benefit. I believe that improving our schools will help Lawrence grow.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next three years?
Bowes: I hope to continue the important work we have begun in LTPS by increasing student achievement and success, fostering a safe, healthy and inclusive learning environment, and strengthening community engagement and partnerships.
By working collaboratively with educators, families and community members, we can build on our progress and ensure every student has the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
Clarke: My primary goal for the next three years is to continue my growth while serving the district, and maintain discussions with families as we work through the next steps of the building expansion.
Elliott: In running for school board, I am guided by my high school’s motto – “Learn to live and live to learn.” I believe this encapsulates what LTPS should aim for.
In the next three years, I hope to improve the quality of education for our students and allow them to excel academically, whatever that means for each individual student. I also aim to develop a supportive and welcoming community environment for all students in Lawrence’s schools.
This is key to allowing students to succeed academically. I believe that successful students means a successful town for everyone.
