Meet Bob Crawford: Parsippany Council Candidate

Parsippany Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Check out Parsippany Patch's Election Hub for information on all candidates. Here is information from Bob Crawford.

• Bob Crawford has lived in Parsippany for 16 years.
  
• Party Line: Independent
• Age: 62
• Family: Wife Maria Daughter: Katelyn Son: Christopher - Both children attended Parsippany Public schools. Katelyn is a June 2013 graduate of The College of New Jersey and is a teacher and Chris is attending the University of Delaware as a Freshman
• Education background? Graduated from Duke University with a BAGraduated from Georgetown University with a MAAlso studied at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon
• Why do you think you are qualified for this position? With 25 years of corporate experience and 7 years of government experience  I am running for a seat on the Town Council because I believe that I have the diverse experience and qualifications that are absolute prerequisites for individuals who wish to hold elected office in Parsippany. I believe that my professional experience will give the Council a unique and useful perspective and if elected I plan to hit the ground running to identify and resolve the many challenges facing Parsippany's residents. As an Independent candidate  I believe that I will be well positioned to serve the interest of all of Parsippany's residents and I  will not be burdened by the need to answer to partisan political interests. I am running as an Independent because  believe that, at the local level, partisan politics must take a back seat to common sense and the common good. I also believe that I am qualified because of the volunteer service that I have had the opportunity to offer since moving to Parsippany. That volunteer service has included 12 years as a youth coach for soccer, baseball and basketball as well as terms as a Board member on the PAL and the Parsippany Education Foundation.  My seven years of service on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education has convinced me that good and important work can be done by engaged and energized individuals. As a member of the Town Council I promise to continue to do that good work on behalf of all of Parsippany's residents.     
• Why are you running for this elected office? My family has been blessed by all that Parsippany- Troy Hills has had to offer and I am running for the Town Council because I believe in giving back and serving the community which I and my family call home. I also believe that  my education, experience, energy and passion for good and honest government will allow me to contribute to the well being and growth of this wonderful town. I am not a career politician but instead am a Parsippany resident who believes in Parsippany's potential and who wants to work actively to support efforts so that all of us  can realize ourhometown's potential. 
• What are the three issues that most concern you? During this campaign I have made five promises:

• I promise to work to rebuild trust between Parsippany residents and their elected officials
• I promise to work to protect the integrity and safety of our neighborhoods
• I promise to work to position Parsippany as "The Place To Do Business" with worldwide companies looking for a home for their business operations.
• I promise to work to spruce up Parsippany's mini business districts to attract shoppers and diners from all over Morris County
• I promise to work to build a sense of community among all of Parsippany's diverse communities.

Explain your proposed approach to managing these issues: My approach will be to work with the four other Town Council members and the Mayor to build consensus. My approach will be defined by the project management, people management and leadership skills I have learned during my 25 years working in corporate America. My approach will be to engage Parsippany residents early on in any process or proposal that might directly or indirectly impact their quality of life. My approach will be to reach out to the extraordinary talent that resides in Parsippany and regardless of political affiliation invite them to join in efforts to respond to the challenges and opportunities that face Parsippany. My approach will be to always "own" the positions I take and the votes I cast and to be available to explain any action that I do take. My approach will be to roll up my sleeves and put in the time and the effort to fully understand that which I am being asked to decide. My approach will be to put the interests of Parsippany's residents first and foremost. 

Have you held elected office before? I served on the Board of Education for seven years and as someone who believes in term limits decided not to run for another three year term. Though running as an Independent in this election, I am a registered Republican and serve as a Committeeman.

What organizations do you belong to? Currently serve on the Boards of the Parsippany Education Foundation and Raise Hope Foundation

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Editor's Note: Patch will be posting these candidate questionnaires in the order that they are received back. For candidates who have not heard from Patch, please contact Kim@patch.com.