Issues – Charlie Kratovil

Charlie supports policies that make our community a better place:

CLEAN AIR

Improve New Brunswick’s Public Transportation System

Create a Transportation Department to replace the troubled Parking Authority and finally address our crippling parking and transportation problems
Partner with Rutgers University to develop a free, robust, year-round electric bus system that connects New Brunswick’s neighborhoods
Develop a central online space for information about public transportation options
Make our streets and intersections safer for pedestrians and cyclists
Advocate for state and federal funding to establish a light rail transit system

Replace Fossil Fuel Consumption With Green Energy

Create a community energy aggregation program to provide New Brunswick with clean electricity to take advantage of discounted rates by buying in bulk
Work with environmental advocates to increase wind and solar energy incentives
Develop and implement a plan for New Brunswick to transition to 100% renewable energy consumption by 2035

Protect Our Water and Keep it Public

Develop a comprehensive plan to invest in our water treatment and distribution infrastructure to improve the quality and reliability of our public drinking water
Use technology to eliminate the need to estimate water and sewer bills
Work with regulatory agencies to prevent toxic waste from poisoning our water
Clean up the Raritan River and fight polluters who jeopardize our water sources
Always tell the public immediately if there is a problem with the drinking water

Keep Our Neighborhoods Clean and Polluters in Check

Schedule more recycling pickups and volunteer-led litter clean-ups
Organize volunteers to help seniors shovel snow after winter storms
Install more public garbage cans in busy areas to prevent litter
Hold gas stations, factories, and other polluters accountable for their discharges
Attract businesses that behave responsibly and create clean, green jobs

End Corruption in New Brunswick Government

Abolish the failing New Brunswick Parking Authority and take control of their $390 million of debt before their fiscal problems spiral further out of control
Separate the New Brunswick Housing Authority from the Redevelopment Authority so that the NBHA can focus on creating more affordable housing
Create an anti-corruption task force to investigate allegations of misconduct
Install GPS tracking devices in all city-owned vehicles to prevent misuse
Advocate for and abide by term limits for all elected officials, including me

Stop The Violence and Reform the NBPD

Establish a Public Safety Department to oversee police, fire, and EMS
Hire police who live in New Brunswick and put more officers on foot patrol
Establish independent civilian review board for complaints against police
Make body-worn cameras a required part of the police uniform
Proactively address issues with officers who do not follow rules and regulations

Support Working Families, Renters, Immigrants, and our Homeless Population

Create a job training program to connect residents with good-paying, safe jobs
Enforce the city’s abandoned property ordinance and fix up vacant buildings
Open free computer labs with internet access in all five wards of our city
Investigate slumlords and employers who abuse or rip off their workers
Reject all applications for long-term tax exemptions that hurt our school system

Encourage Public Participation and Improve Transparency