MOUNTAIN LAKES — Chris Richter, Jane Hayward, Richard Barkauskas III, and Nate Fitch proudly announce their candidacy for Mountain Lakes Borough Council. The candidates are running on a platform of government transparency, fiscal discipline, environmental preservation, and pro-business and pledge to restore “Laker Sensibility” emphasizing fiscal responsibility.
“We have heard concern from residents across the political spectrum about the financial direction of Mountain Lakes. Over the last four years, our home values have declined nearly 10%, our taxes have increased every year, Borough spending is at an all-time high, and the overall condition of the town has taken a step in the wrong direction,” said candidate Chris Richter on behalf of the Laker Sensibility campaign. “Motivated by these issues, we built a team to bring fiscal responsibility back to Mountain Lakes.”
Richter, Hayward, Barkauskas, and Fitch bring unrivaled experience with municipal leadership, volunteerism, and community engagement. The Laker Sensibility team brings a combined nearly 80 years of Mountain Lakes residency and an impressive resume of service to nonprofits, Borough Committees & Commissions, the Mountain Lakes Fire Department, and youth sports. “Our team offers tremendous experience and perspective,” said Jane Hayward. “We are particularly excited to have assembled a team with a shared vision around fiscal discipline that spans the spectrum across gender, age, educational background, professional experience, and community service.”
Mr. Richter has been an active volunteer in town for two decades serving the Borough’s Board of Adjustment and the Economic Advisory Commission. He has been a volunteer coach for numerous youth sports, serves on the Board of Governors at Rockaway River Country Club, is a member of the Facility Committee of Interfaith Food Pantry and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Lakes.
Ms. Hayward has over a decade of volunteering in the community, notably as the longstanding Chair of the Mountain Lakes Day Committee which organizes the yearly celebration of the community. She also served on the Mountain Lakes Centennial Committee, volunteers for the Mountain Lakes Recreational Swim Program, and is a member and Cantor at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes.
Mr. Barkauskas is a lifelong Mountain Lakes resident, and currently pursuing a J.D. at the Seton Hall University School of Law. Prior, he was a student at the College of the Holy Cross where he was a member of the men’s varsity lacrosse program and completed internships at the White House, the Heritage Foundation, and the office of U.S. Congressional Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen.
Locally, he served as the liaison for Rachel’s Challenge, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing violence led by the parents of a victim of the Columbine school shooting. Mr. Barkauskas is also an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes.
Mr. Fitch has been an active volunteer in the community for over 10 years, most notably as a firefighter on the Mountain Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.
He has also worked as a volunteer coach for youth soccer and lacrosse and is a current member of the congregation and volunteer at Liquid Church in Morris County.
Mr. Fitch is well-known in the Mountain Lakes School District and Borough Hall where he works alongside the administration and teachers on technology projects and strategy.
Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The Borough Council elections will be held concurrently with other local elections, statewide direct elections, and federal elections.
Learn more about the candidates and their campaign by clicking here.
