In her first run for public office, Baramdai “Alicia” Sharma of Hackettstown brings a slew of ideas and experience in finance, budgeting, communications and leadership.
Sharma, 49, is one of four Democrats vying to fill four seats on the Mt. Olive Twp. Council in the upcoming Nov. 2 general election. They face four Republican incumbents whose terms expire at the end of this year.
As a member of the Mt. Olive Democrats for the past year and community volunteer for clean ups, food drives and township’s 150th celebration committee, Sharma decided she wants to play a greater role in helping the community.
“Having a seat on Town Council means I would be involved in the decision-making process and be the voice of the people,” says Sharma, who has lived in the Woodfield community in Mt. Olive for the past seven years, with her husband and two daughters.
“When I saw the post on Facebook by the Mount Olive Democrats asking for candidates I felt like this was something I had to do,” says Sharma. “This was the path I needed take if I wanted to have a bigger impact in helping others.
“In my country of birth, Guyana, South America, my husband was the politician and I was there supporting him but I never saw myself running for office,” Sharma admits. “I was never good at speaking in public. I grew up very shy but I am always working in the background getting things done. I always say “I am a doer, not a talker” so I got involved in church and partnered with them on social programs. I consider myself a life-long volunteer, passionate about helping others, and giving a voice to those who don’t have one.”
Mt. Olive Becomes Home
Sharma says the top-notch schools and small-town feel attracted her family to settle in Mt. Olive, where she has become involved as a volunteer in the community and church.
“The school system was the main reason I moved here but I’ve grown to love Mt. Olive,” says Sharma. “I like the small-town feel and have great neighbors. I love the Woodfield community for its diversity and quiet charms. Neighbors help each other and for me that is important. For example, my neighbor on the right would mow the lawns every week- which my husband loves because he doesn’t have to- and my neighbor on the left would come over with his snow blower and help clear our driveway.
“I love that Mt. Olive is safe, clean and we have great parks, trails and open spaces,” she says. “I love my church (Mountaintop), Pastor Matt Jones, and Youth Pastor Cody is great with the kids.”
She and her husband, Edmund Khanoo, who works as CFO of Norwescap, Inc., have two daughters: Nicole is a junior at MOHS; and Nafeeza is freshman at Rutgers University.
Sharma has become an active volunteer in Mt. Olive in various ways.
She serves on the Mt. Olive Twp. Sesquicentennial Committee to ring in the township’s 150th year anniversary.
“I volunteered for many town events such as MO carnival, pirates and fairies, Sesquicentennial bash, Oktoberfest, etc.,” she says. “I volunteer for roads and parks clean-ups. I also volunteer at one of our local farms to help harvest potatoes. I support our local food pantry through the Democrats’ monthly food drive.
With cultural diversity important to Sharma, she is taking strides for improvement.
“Earlier this year, I was one of the founding members of the Cultural Alliance of Mount Olive (CAMO),” she says. “Although this started out as a Democrats event, our desire is to inspire and unite residents regardless of political affiliation. The aim was to fill a social void in the township and to address residents longing for cultural events that would bring a sense of community. This is a great way to unite the community while promoting local talents, and educate the residents about the various cultural backgrounds in Mt. Olive.
“I would like to see more cultural programs in Mt. Olive,” she says. “I would love to have a cultural day event. I also plan to partner with our town’s recreation department on this venture.”
Sharma has also volunteered in various ways with MO Democrats.
“I volunteer for events such as the Link Road clean-up, writing /sending post cards to tenants inviting them to online zoom meeting regarding tenants’ rights during COVID,” she says. “I also went out and distributed door hangers to residents, inviting them to Zoom meeting regarding information on COVID-19 virus. I support the monthly food drive and attend monthly meetings.
“I participated in the MCDC Woman caucus fundraiser for Christine Clarke; and other women candidates,” she adds.
From her volunteering, Sharma sees how she can help improve the township. By serving on the council, Sharma wants to help people, influence change, promote equality, share a new and fresh perspective and help preserve the township.
Sharma lays out her reasons for running for town council below:
For the people – “I want to serve because I would like to be the voice of so many who feel like they don’t have a say,” says Sharma. “I’ve walked almost all over Mt. Olive during this past summer and many residents are unaware of what town council does or what is going on in the township. I would like to change that; I am a strong believer of community engagement. I believe that residents should be given ample opportunities to be involved in local government. After all, they are paying their taxes so it’s only fair that they know and have a say in, how that money is being utilized.”
To influence change – “Being part of the 150-planning committee has taught me so much about our township and how it has evolved over the years,” says Sharma. “I believe the township has much to offer, we just need leaders who are capable of bringing out its full potential. I care about this community and I would like to see Mt. Olive grow and prosper and be around for another 150 years to come. One way to do that is to get involved and be part of the decision-making body, which I am doing.”
Equal representation – “I believe that Town Council should be a representation of our diverse community (every voice is heard),” she says. “I would like to see a balance on the council, currently there is only one female council member despite our town’s 1:1 male to female ratio. We need more women in our local government.
In addition, although local government is non-partisan, it would be good for the town to have a mix of Democrats, and Republicans on the council as opposed to an all-Republican council. Mt. Olive has plenty Democrats, almost as many as Republicans, and they deserve to have a seat at the table.
New and fresh perspective – “As someone who is new, that is a good thing because new people bring new ideas and fresh perspectives that others may have overlooked because they’ve been in the role for so long,” says Sharma.
Preservation /Sustainability – “Over the years I’ve seen some growth in our township but I am concerned about our economic sustainability and slow progress,” says Sharma. “It seems like the surrounding townships are moving full steam ahead while we are playing catch-up. We need leaders who are proactive and forward-thinking to ensure continuous and successful growth. I’ve led many projects and process improvement over my 30 years of professional experience so I am ready to meet the challenges head on and lead M.O. into the future.”
Profession/ Education
With a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting, Sharma has dedicated more than three decades working in accounting in Guyana, Canada and the United States.
She is currently the assistant controller for a private school K-12; and has worked in financial services, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, retail, pharmaceutical and education.
“My motto is “work smarter not harder,” says Sharma. “I believe in efficiency and am always looking for ways to make my job more efficient.
As a team leader, Sharma says “I am a strategic thinker and am good at focusing on particular tasks. I also pride myself on my ability to think big and outside of the box.”
What experience or skills do you bring to the council?
“I have a very strong background in accounting and finance with more than 30 years’ experience working with businesses,” says Sharma. “Over those years I’ve gained valuable skills that I will bring to town council such as budgeting and forecasting, communication, planning, leadership, and management.
“Of the skills listed above, I believe communication is the most important skill you need,” she says. “As a council person interacting with others you should have the ability to hear and understand their needs and concerns. You should also be able to articulate your thoughts in a professional way so that it is clearly understood, and you should have the ability to engage in respectful and productive discussion with openness to changing one’s opinion.
“As an accountant, I have a strong understanding of budgeting and fiscal policies,” she says. “I will be able to ask monetary questions and dig into the budget in ways others might not be able to because I am looking at things from the lenses of an accountant. I can use that skill to ensure that our residents’ tax dollars are being spent wisely.
“I am a team player and work well with everyone,” she continues. “I understand the need for collaboration and compromise. I also understand that there will be times when you have to agree to disagree and move forward.
“I have very strong work ethics,” says Sharma. “My motto is “work smarter, not harder” so I am always looking for efficiencies in doing things. Time is money, so creating innovative ways to save time ultimately saves money in the long term. I believe technology can be used to make life easier, and help us work smarter.
“On a personal level, I had to overcome many obstacles and financial challenges on my life’s journey which led to many of my community involvements,” she adds. “I believe representatives do some of their most important work outside of Town Hall, working alongside residents and neighbors. As a life-long volunteer I am always willing to roll up my sleeves and help. I am a hands-on approach kind of person.”
What are your criticisms, if any, of the current MO Council?
“I believe that the town council has done a good job, but over time they have become complacent and are satisfied with the status quo,” says Sharma.
“They need to stop saying, ‘it cannot be done, we have tried, it’s not our job, it’s not the town’s road,’” she says. “It’s true, they’re not all powerful; we have a strong-mayor system, but there are frequent council meeting absences, committees that don’t meet frequently enough, and a lack of intense effort. This isn’t everyone on the council, but it seems a persistent issue.
Town council should seek feedback from the community before making decisions especially big issues such as legalizing of marijuana or new construction (Wawa). Residents I’ve talked to over the summer feel left out of the process. The current channels of communication use are not inclusive of all residents. In addition, notices should be sent out way in advance to give residents time to review and comment. Decisions should not be rushed.
“MO council should be transparent – for example, boasting about not raising the tax levy but fail to mention the $25 million debt,” notes Sharma. “The tax levy is kept low because of the increase in tax base due to the new residential and commercial developments. Between 2017 and 2020 as per the user-friendly budget, residential and commercial property increased by 189 and 220 respectively while Mt. Olive land parcel decreased by 219. Some contexts to why tax levy kept low would be beneficial rather than just taking credit.
“I see such great potential for Mt. Olive, we just need leaders who have the vision to tap into and release that potential,” says Sharma. “I believe our team of Gayles-Spaldo-Sharma & Bernstein can do that. We will be proactive, not reactive, we will put in the time and effort to plan strategically, and we will not be satisfied with the status quo.”
How do you think your service on the council can improve these criticisms?
“Working with businesses (for-profit) for a long time teaches you that you have to plan strategically,” says Sharma. “You have to have a goal; for businesses it’s the bottom line (profits); for Mt. Olive, its economic sustainability, fiscal responsibility (stable taxes) and community engagement.
“I will not settle for status quo, I will work tirelessly with the mayor, the town administration, council members, businesses, committees and residents to develop a plan to generate alternative revenue and pay down our debt,” says Sharma.
“I will be transparent and accountable when making decisions for the town by having a forum where the residents can have a say in the development of Mt. Olive,” says Sharma.
“I will ensure that there are multiple channels of communication when disseminating information to residents, ie. township Facebook, township website, and a dedicated council Facebook. As a council member I would push for a regular summary of council business, a clear explanation of the ordinance which are relevant, more accessibility to the council financial disclosures, and other means of being open and transparent as a local government.
What are the most concerning issues?
“What concerns me as a resident is the lack of community engagement, road maintenance, lack of programs/events for people of color, property taxes (rising school tax), and broad-band network services,” says Sharma.
“Many residents I’ve spoken to over the past four months share similar concerns to mine and more, but taxes and road maintenance were the top two,” she adds. “In addition, some residents feel marginalized because they live in neighborhood that don’t get as much attention as others. Roads, water, flooding, and internet services are some other concerns.”
What are your ideas to help alleviate or improve some of those issues?
“Everyone should be treated equally and fairly,” says Sharma. “ALL roads should be properly and regularly maintained. This calls for proper planning and budgeting on behalf of the township. For state owned roads, we can work with NJDOT to get regular maintenance, this may be a bit more challenging but we need to try nevertheless.
“Look into other internet service providers to see what can be done to offer residents more choices especially the residents in the Budd Lake area,” says Sharma. “I heard from many residents who complain about the lack of competition of internet service providers.
“Work with our recreation departments and local groups to implement programs and activities that would be inclusive of our diverse background and culture,” she says. “I would love to have a cultural day in Mt. Olive where each cultural background would be showcased and celebrated.
“I would like to propose a resident portal; a few townships have this,” she suggests. “It’s a great way to keep residents informed in addition to conducting township business,” such as paying their taxes, buy stickers, dog or cat license.
“Mt. Olive has the second highest general tax rate in Morris County as of 2020,” says Sharma. “Right now, the mayor and council is doing a balancing act to stabilize taxes by using funds from new developments and debt (Bonds/Notes). To help, we have to look at alternative ways to generate revenue because we can only have so much development without sacrificing the small-town feel. That is why it is so important to help small businesses, support buy local, revitalize the Budd Lake Beach, fill the empty store fronts, and make Mt. Olive the go to place for shopping, restaurants, recreation, business, the arts, etc. “
What is your platform?
Economic development (sustainability):
“I believe that Mt. Olive can become the “go-to” place for fine dining, shopping, businesses, the arts, and so much more,” says Sharma. “But to do this we need leaders with vision. I believe I am such a leader, with my 30 years of working for businesses I already have the skills to plan strategically to ensure success. I believe if we conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat analysis that would be a great starting point to develop our community. Based on the findings of the SWOT I will collaborate with business owners / local entrepreneurs/EDC, Chamber of Commerce, to come up with a plan to meet the needs of our community while generating revenue for the town. Bottom line - residents should not have to go regularly outside of M.O. for dining/ entertainment, shopping, outdoor activities, etc.”
Community engagement:
“Over the years we’ve see the lack of participation from the community,” she says. “Many residents I’ve talked to while canvassing does not know what is happening in the town. I believe one reason for that is the lack of information coming out of town hall and a lack of visibility by town council members in the community. Currently decisions are made without sufficient public input, discussion or feedback. When developing the long-range master plan for our town, residents should be involved! If elected, I would be visible in the community by having regular town halls in various parts of the township or having a “come meet your town council representative” day. I believe it’s very important that residents have a voice in the decisions affecting their lives. I strongly believe in community involvement and volunteering, as representatives we do some of our best work outside of town hall, working along residents, and building community.”
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
“As our community is becoming more diverse I believe it’s important that our local government reflects this diversity,” says Sharma. “As an immigrant, a woman and a person of color I understand the importance of having programs/events and policies that are fair and inclusive to all. I will listen to every resident no matter their race, age, ability, political affiliation, religion, gender identity, sexuality or economic status. Whether you live in an apartment complex or a homeowner, whether you are from Budd Lake, Flanders or Hackettstown part of Mt. Olive. I will listen to you because I value compromise. All voices matter. After all, we can only be united when we respect and celebrate what makes each of us unique.”
Do you have any slogans or a meaningful mantra?
“Do it afraid,” says Sharma. She explains, “don’t be afraid to do something just because you’re scared of what people are going to say about you. People will judge you no matter what.”
Why should residents vote for Baramdai Sharma for MO Council?
“A vote for me is a vote for a candidate who is proactive, forward-thinking, visible and strategic,” says Sharma.
“A vote for me is a vote for economic sustainability, fiscal responsibility, transparency, equity and diversity, and most importantly community engagement!
“When you vote for me, you can rest assured that you will have a voice at town hall,” she continues. “I will be accessible, accountable and transparent in my decision-making process, through town halls or virtual meetings. I will strive to be an active listener because YOU matter! I will treat everyone with dignity and respect, even when we agree to disagree. I will try my best to represent the values, beliefs, and needs of the community while serving in your best interest. I will strive for a balance on view on policies. I will value the environment while understanding the need for a strong local economy.
“I promise to stay informed on key issues and to gain insights and knowledge on all aspects of government,” says Sharma. “I will be fiscally responsible without sacrificing township services. I will promote and support programs that celebrate our diversity-arts, culture, town events.”
The current council is made up of Republicans and mostly men. If you are elected as the sole Democrat, how would you handle being from the minority gender and political party?
“At the heart of what we do as elected officials is the people we serve; our gender identity or political affiliation should not matter,” says Sharma. “What matters is serving in the best interest of the community. That means having an open mind, the willingness to learn, and to see things from another person’s perspective. Sometimes compromising is necessary for the greater good. I pride myself in building good relationships with everyone I work with and that’s what I will do on council. I think it’s important to have a thick skin and not take everything personally, instead work hard and let the achievements speak for you.”
Is there anything you would like to add?
“I would like to encourage everyone to vote,” concludes Sharma. “Whether it’s by mail, early voting (October 23-31) or on November 2. It is your right as a U.S. citizen to vote, so exercise your right. Franklin D. Roosevelt said “Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote, except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”
So, go vote and remember to vote for GAYLES-SPALDO-SHARMA & BERNSTEIN!”
This is a paid advertisement by Mt. Olive Democrats.
