East Ward Council Candidate Linda Jones-Bell has been supported by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. She is challenging Daryl Harrington and incumbent Lisa Perkins. Editor-in-Chief Dhiren Shah sat down with her to discuss the upcoming election. Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. Why have you decided to run for council?
Linda Jones-Bell: I am running for the first time as a council candidate. I am secretary of county committee, and residents have been coming to me, including those in the seniors' buildings, that are unhappy about management, drug presence, and lack of police, and there is always an issue of one or the other. Last summer, I organized a summer party at Thomas Blvd. to stand against drug dealers. The block party turned out well. Lots of community people donated. Even outside sources said that I should run for council. It took a good year before I decided to run. I should run on behalf of the people.
DS: What is the procedure for the council?
LJ: I have been to council meetings, and I watch. I understand Robert's Rules. I understand council laws, and whatever I don't know, I will brush up on it.
DS: What are the duties of council?
LJ: To advocate and to make resolutions on behalf of the residents.
DS: What do you think about crime?
LJ: From everything I've heard, the East Ward has the most crime, mostly in terms of drug dealings and abuse. It's a little bit in other wards, but its prevalent in the East Ward.
DS: How are you planning to tackle it?
LJ: By continuing whatever is started and bringing in the residents and let them understand I can't do it by myself. It requires a group. I will be a mouthpiece, joining forces and partnering with the police department and other agencies.
DS: What do you think about education in Orange? And what do you think about the educational system?
LJ: I am a certified teacher. I think we have a lot of work to do in Orange. If the issue is effectively educating the children, and it is, then it is lot of work to be done. I think kids need so much more. Unfortunately, with the budget cuts by Christie, we cannot do everything. We have been blessed in Orange, because the Princeton Review has come in and they have established an afterschool program. Some people have volunteered to do it. Tuesday to Thursday, they have about 600 kids they work with academically and the Princeton Review is going to pay for it.
DS: How long will Princeton Review pay for it?
LJ: I think until June. They just started last month. Some of the teachers working in the program are exceptional because they have a desire for teaching kids. So that's a blessing.
DS: There will be a church coming on Main St. and Hickory Street at an old hotel building. What is your opinion?
LJ: Churches have been coming to the community for years and years. Sometimes they make a difference and sometimes don't. We are hoping for commercial businesses that can offset the tax base, and churches are tax free. That's a problem.
DS: How do you rate Orange's Mayor?
LJ: I don't know. His programs being putting in place are good. The health alliance is good. It's new and it is just starting. The programs are fabulous; so residents do not have to take transportation. It worked out good so far. He made his mistakes. He knows what they are. I think he is sincere about making Orange the beautiful, attractive place it once was.
DS: What do you think in Orange needs improvement?
LJ: Property taxes, drugs and gangs, lots of clean up, education.
DS: Why do you love Orange?
LJ: Small community. People are here forever and ever.
DS: Thank you for your time in taking this interview, and good luck.
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