I am running for reelection as mayor of Scotch Plains to continue the job I love and keep our town moving forward!

Is Scotch Plains better than it was four years ago? I say, unequivocally, yes, and for many reasons. But don’t just take my word for it… let’s look at the data: Scotch Plains Police and Fire Departments: Our Township is safer because of changes our Police Department and Fire Department have made. In fact, according to the most recent data available, both our violent crime and property crimes are below the average of the past 10 years.

Our streets have new equipment to track stolen vehicles and traffic calming devices, such as blinking radar reminding drivers to keep to our speed limit. Thanks to our investments, car thefts are down 30 percent from a couple of years ago.

Scotch Plains Ambulance Service: The fire department’s new ambulance service, which compliments the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad that has served the township so well and for so long, makes Scotch Plains safer than it has ever been, as emergency response time has substantially improved with this new service.

Scotch Plains Parks and Recreation Programs: This administration has supported the goals and vision of our Recreation Commission better than any administration in memory. Green Forest and Greenside are already improved. At our last council meeting, contracts were awarded for new pickleball and tennis courts at Kramer Manor and pickleball at Brookside Park. Haven is getting a new basketball court and more too.

Keeping Scotch Plains Affordable: We are proud that the Township continues to enjoy a AAA bond rating and that our municipal taxes are just 14% of a resident’s tax bill – among the lowest rate in New Jersey. Taxpayers averaged only a 1 percent increase per year over the past four years, far below inflation and that of surrounding towns.

By permitting cannabis retail business on Route 22, we anticipate receivables of more than $125,000 this year based upon the 2 percent tax the township imposes on cannabis sales.

Celebrating Our Diversity in Scotch Plains Where Hate Has No Home: We started new traditions over the past four years, such as the annual PRIDE celebration on the Village Green, East 2nd Street Street Fair and Car Show, and Freecycle Market, where one resident’s junk is another’s treasure. We also held our first Mental Health Fair and 5K walk, and just a couple of weeks ago, the celebration of Diwali on the Village Green.

We restored the proper name to our historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, the first African American Golf and Country Club in the United States!

Carefully Proceeding on the Revitalization of Downtown Scotch Plains: We are working with an award-winning developer to relocate our emergency responders out of the flood plain and revitalize downtown.

Over the past four years, the East 2nd Street renaissance has begun, with new businesses from end to end, and Lidl has taken steps to begin construction.

By every metric, Scotch Plains is a better town and more financially sound than it was four years ago. But there is always more work to do.

In my second term, I will continue supporting improvements to our parks and fields and work hard to ensure Scotch Plains only becomes even more desirable to live in, now and for generations to come.

I look forward to finishing this campaign and, with your continued support, representing our hometown as your mayor.

Mayor Joshua G. Losardo Candidate Scotch Plains