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Friday, May 18, 2012

Meet Carol Sventy, Candidate for Kinnelon Borough Council

Carol Sventy
Kinnelon neighbor Carol Sventy is running for Borough Council. Have you had a chance to meet her?

I first met Carol when I had my first meeting with Ron Leavesley about the Kinnelon CLL Program. Not a surprise given her intense involvement with CLL and the Friends of the Kinnelon Library.

In case you've not had a chance to spend time with her, I want to share with you this interview in which Carol Sventy explains why she is a candidate for Kinnelon Borough Council, what she loves about Kinnelon and how she has contributed as a volunteer to our community.

You'll also find contact information and opportunities to meet with her in person before the June 5th election to discuss what's important to you.

C.B.: Carol, please tell me about yourself and your background.

Ever since I can remember, I have been a volunteer. Starting when I was very young, my mother was involved in many activities (Girl/Boy Scouts, League of Women Voters, Historical Society, School Organizations - PTA, Civic Organizations). Whenever she saw something was not quite right in our community, she did something about it … and this is where I ‘got the bug’.

I was born in Montclair, NJ and moved when I was five & grew up in a small town in Michigan. I attended public schools up until 9th grade when I attended  Culver Girls Academy. I then went on to study Business Management and Horsemanship Stable Management at Virginia Intermont College where I met my husband John.

Soon after college graduation, we moved to New Jersey, got married and moved to Kinnelon. We fell in love with Kinnelon. We’ve had a few opportunities to move to other states, but did not due to family and because we didn’t want to leave Kinnelon and the friends and neighbors we have here. I want to protect Kinnelon’s unique lifestyle and environment. We are fortunate to live in a town that appreciates and nourishes its natural environment and the people who reside here. I have always been very passionate about and actively involved in education, open space, recreation and environmental issues within the Borough of Kinnelon. All of my work has been to improve the lives and environment for our children and our residents.

C.B.: How long have you lived in Kinnelon?

29 years, in the same house, with the same husband and the same phone number!

C.B.: What do you like most about living in Kinnelon?

This is a tough one … simply because there are so many things I like and love about Kinnelon. It would have to be a toss-up between the residents of Kinnelon and the actual landscape of Kinnelon. Whenever I leave Kinnelon either to run errands in other communities, traveling to other states to visit family/friends or away on vacation … when I return to Kinnelon, I don’t need to see the borough sign saying “Welcome to Kinnelon Borough” to know that I’m home. I can ‘feel’ that I’m home and safely away from the ‘rat race’ that exists outside our community. I can take a deep breath and relax in the beauty of our community and the friendships with the residents here.

C.B.: How did you first get involved in public service for Kinnelon?

It all started when I filled out a volunteer form that had been mailed to me by the Friends of the Kinnelon Library along with a request for a membership donation. The form asked if I would be interested in volunteering for any one of a number of activities and I selected two items: Book Sale and Arts and Crafts Festival since both were things that I was interested in. I then became active with another group called ‘Ambling Along’ sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning … and now, as they say: the rest is history!

C.B.: Carol, what is the range of activities you are currently involved in? 

Everything blossomed from that point on to where I am now actively involved in the following organizations.

The Friends of the Kinnelon Library Board of Governors (since 1997)
Currently serving as Vice President (since 2002)
The Center for Lifelong Learning Board of Governors (since 1998)
The Center for Lifelong Learning Registrar (since 1999)
The Kinnelon After School Enrichment program (since 2000)
Kinnelon's Open Space Advisory Committee (since 2002)
Currently serving as Chairperson (since 2004)
Kinnelon's Environmental Commission (since 2004)

Then in 2011 I was honored to be named by the Lakeland Hills YMCA as Kinnelon’s Citizen of the year.

C.B.: Why are you running for office?

I have worked long and hard for positive change in Kinnelon and I have contributed and helped to improve the quality of life for ALL Kinnelon residents.

Having worked with the council for the past 10 years or more has given me a unique insight. I’m involved in local government now, and want to continue to contribute and in order to be more effective, I must run for Kinnelon council.

C.B.: What does the Kinnelon Council need and why do you think you can fill it? 

I believe Kinnelon needs a new choice – and a new voice. I will listen to what residents have to say and will take action and get results. I feel Kinnelon needs a balanced perspective. We are one community with different needs and wants for ourselves and our children and to provide these needs, we must have a balanced perspective in making the decisions that affect ALL Kinnelon residents.

C.B.: What will you bring to the Kinnelon Borough Council?

My experience in working with people in the Borough renders me an approachable, knowledgeable, well organized and effective individual that gets the results our community needs and requires.

Carol Sventy with Denise DeBernardi,
Mary Cobell & Eileen Gelenter
C.B.: Where should Kinnelon residents go for more information about you and your background?

Residents can go to my website: www.CaringForKinnelon.com where there is a calendar of events, along with additional information about me.

C.B.: I understand Kinnelon residents can meet with you and ask questions at the following sessions. Would you fill me in? 

All residents are welcome to attend any of the following Meet & Greet sessions I have scheduled. We ask that you please RSVP through my website, since this greatly helps in our planning. We wouldn’t want to run out of refreshments for any of the residents attending!

If you are unable to attend, then residents are welcome to email or call me with their questions and / or their concerns regarding Kinnelon. I firmly believe, welcome and encourage comments and suggestions. Without valuable public input, government is left to make decisions based on statistics and their own personal experience ... let YOUR voice be heard!

Monday, May 21 - 7:00pm-9:00pm - Adair, Woodchase Lane - Coffee, Tea & Cookies

Tuesday, May 22 - 7:30pm-9:00pm - DeBernardi, Daisy Ct. - Wine & Cheese Reception

Thursday, May 24 - 8:00am-10:00am - Kiel Firehouse, 103 Kiel Ave. - Bagels & Coffee

Thank you, Carol! We wish you the very best. 


Readers, I hope you'll go vote on June 5, 2012.


If you have questions for Carol, please visit her website or leave a comment and I will forward it to her. Consider, too, attending one of the sessions above to meet Carol in person.

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