Romano and Cohen — Proven Leaders for Millburn Township’s Future
I am Regina Truitt and my family and I moved to Millburn Township in 1997. We have all thrived here in this beautiful and welcoming community. I am writing today to give my sincere endorsement of the reelection of Democrats Mayor Annette Romano and Deputy Mayor Michael Cohen to the Millburn Township Committee.
I first met Ms. Romano when I was a Girl Scout leader, and she was working at the Red Cross in downtown Millburn, and she assisted me in setting up a CPR introduction unit for my troop. As she is now, she was friendly, kind and competent back then. I still carry the resuscitation barrier in my pocketbook that she gave to me. Through the years, I’ve known Annette through her numerous volunteer activities and through her three accomplished children, who (like my daughter) graduated from Millburn Public Schools. She is the consummate hometown representative, having been born here, and lived her entire life here; worked, volunteered, worshipped, purchased a home and raised her family here. And now, she is skillfully serving as our Mayor.
I met Mr. Cohen, who’s lived in Millburn for over 35 years, through my volunteer work with the local Democratic Party. He was recently retired then, and impressed me with his intellect, financial prowess and most notably, his endearing warmth. A few years ago, I met his impressive wife, Meryl, who works as a special needs paraprofessional for the Millburn BOE, and his sweet son, Matthew, who attends almost all community events with his parents. I note that Micheal and his family have been exceptional, decades-long advocates for our special needs community members. With an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, and following a successful career in Finance at JPMorgan Chase, Mr. Cohen brings an analytical, strategic and fiscally responsible spending approach to the Millburn Township Committee. Currently serving as our dedicated and attentive Deputy Mayor, he focuses on practical, community-driven goals through his work on flood mitigation, public safety, modernizing public spaces, and supporting local businesses.
Together, Ms. Romano and Mr. Cohen work hard for Millburn residents and will continue to do so in their next term. They’ve attended dozens of community events to show support and partnership with our wonderfully diverse community members. Of particular importance to me, Michael and Annette stand with the Jewish Community in the face of antisemitism, both nationally and locally.
In the past three years, they’ve enhanced public safety by hiring additional police officers, improved communication to residents and implemented crime-deterring technology for our neighborhoods. Through strategic business development initiatives, they’ve supported local merchants, enhanced economic vitality and supported downtown revitalization efforts. Michael and Annette created the innovative Town Hall Plaza for summer entertainment, providing a safe and fun alternative to the previous Main Street closure. They’ve attended every event there faithfully. Through strategic planning and community engagement, they’ve proactively addressed State affordable housing mandates to meet our obligations without neighborhood compromise. On their watch, they’ve implemented comprehensive flood prevention strategies and changed the weekly “Mayor’s message” into the “Millburn Message”, allowing every member of the Township Committee to participate. They’ve employed a bipartisan approach by appointing community members from all political backgrounds to Township committees.
I strongly endorse Annette Romano and Michael Cohen for re-election to the Millburn Township Committee and urge you to vote for them too.
