VoWW Interview #26 - Andrea Mandel
Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
Various West Windsor residents have stepped up to help define the town we cherish today. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down with one such person - WW Council President Andrea Mandel - to discuss the township's COVID response, women in government, and community building.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
Various West Windsor residents have stepped up to help define the town we cherish today. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down with one such person - WW Council President Andrea Mandel - to discuss the township's COVID response, women in government, and community building.
Talking Points:
(On who, in town, has inspired her:
"There have been a lot of people in the town that have inspired me. I am strongly inspired by the Girl Scouts volunteers – I would pray to be stranded on an island with no one but them! They are some of the best people I know, and are resourceful and work relentlessly. I would give a shout out to Louisa Ho for her work and service. I would also acknowledge Elizabeth and many other past leaders. In the past year, Girl Scouts have stood up in service and have contributed a lot to the community.
I have been mentoring the girls for their Gold Awards and other projects for many years. The Girl Scouts have spearheaded mask making, providing food to the needy and other pandemic-related initiatives. I am really touched by the efforts taken by the Girls Scouts.
Also, I admire the members of the immigrant community - especially (fellow councilwoman) Sonia Gawas, and even our current mayor, Hemant Marathe. My grandparents displayed their own strength when they left their home country and made this place a great place for us and future generations."
(On her accomplishments as a member of the WW Town Council)
"I took office in January 2020 and then the pandemic hit us. While we were struggling for our own family’s wellbeing, I had to start working on the wellbeing for the people in the township. We set up a task force with the Senior center and Health departments. We worked with Mellissa Hager from “Send Hunger packing” and Shashi Shrikant from social women’s group to look for volunteers to collect food for the needy. We tried to contain our efforts within the council people to limit the exposure. As the council, Sonia, Linda and myself delivered a huge amount of food and resources to other people in the early weeks of quarantine.
In April, when the NJ Governor provided some property tax relief, as members of the council, we worked with the Mayor to work on the tax payments. The council passed the resolution to allow the tax payment delays. It was hopefully helpful to the people who needed this break. We wanted to honor other groups in the administration and volunteers that are doing a great job. We did a online event for the Fire Department and other groups to honor the “Hometown Heroes”. The program was signed as a proclamation by the Mayor and became a big attraction for many residents."
We also built a directory of all the local businesses and provided information on them to West Windsor residents. This helped local businesses and residents flourish together amid the pandemic. The town clerk and the team was able to develop a directory that can be seen on google maps and is shared with everyone.
In December, WW finally settled a deal with Howard Hughes property owners (Atlantic Realty) without loosing the value for the residents and not the monetary value either. I am glad that the property shall be put to use for commercial use than residential which expands our small town feel.
I have worked to get the council involved with the community by recruiting multiple liaisons and council members. I added liaisons to Human Relations Council and Shade Tree committee. These teams have now received good representations in the administration. In January 2021, I assumed the position of the president of the council and started working on the budget for the 2021 financial year."
(On the importance of women serving in local government positions, especially given that WW has grown from a town that had virtually no women in government 50 years ago to one that is significantly more inclusive)
"Several towns have seen a similar change as West Windsor's. I received my Engineering degree in 1973. I have seen many firsts! Women have often been disregarded as of less importance or not for serious work. Things have changed, but not everyone changes. However, in the last 25 years, I have spent time in working with young women to make them feel their own importance. I coach girls for robotics and training as well. I am sure at one time, WW had 5 women on the council and also had a woman mayor. People have started to look at us beyond being male or female but at what we can deliver."
(On who, in town, has inspired her:
"There have been a lot of people in the town that have inspired me. I am strongly inspired by the Girl Scouts volunteers – I would pray to be stranded on an island with no one but them! They are some of the best people I know, and are resourceful and work relentlessly. I would give a shout out to Louisa Ho for her work and service. I would also acknowledge Elizabeth and many other past leaders. In the past year, Girl Scouts have stood up in service and have contributed a lot to the community.
I have been mentoring the girls for their Gold Awards and other projects for many years. The Girl Scouts have spearheaded mask making, providing food to the needy and other pandemic-related initiatives. I am really touched by the efforts taken by the Girls Scouts.
Also, I admire the members of the immigrant community - especially (fellow councilwoman) Sonia Gawas, and even our current mayor, Hemant Marathe. My grandparents displayed their own strength when they left their home country and made this place a great place for us and future generations."
(On her accomplishments as a member of the WW Town Council)
"I took office in January 2020 and then the pandemic hit us. While we were struggling for our own family’s wellbeing, I had to start working on the wellbeing for the people in the township. We set up a task force with the Senior center and Health departments. We worked with Mellissa Hager from “Send Hunger packing” and Shashi Shrikant from social women’s group to look for volunteers to collect food for the needy. We tried to contain our efforts within the council people to limit the exposure. As the council, Sonia, Linda and myself delivered a huge amount of food and resources to other people in the early weeks of quarantine.
In April, when the NJ Governor provided some property tax relief, as members of the council, we worked with the Mayor to work on the tax payments. The council passed the resolution to allow the tax payment delays. It was hopefully helpful to the people who needed this break. We wanted to honor other groups in the administration and volunteers that are doing a great job. We did a online event for the Fire Department and other groups to honor the “Hometown Heroes”. The program was signed as a proclamation by the Mayor and became a big attraction for many residents."
We also built a directory of all the local businesses and provided information on them to West Windsor residents. This helped local businesses and residents flourish together amid the pandemic. The town clerk and the team was able to develop a directory that can be seen on google maps and is shared with everyone.
In December, WW finally settled a deal with Howard Hughes property owners (Atlantic Realty) without loosing the value for the residents and not the monetary value either. I am glad that the property shall be put to use for commercial use than residential which expands our small town feel.
I have worked to get the council involved with the community by recruiting multiple liaisons and council members. I added liaisons to Human Relations Council and Shade Tree committee. These teams have now received good representations in the administration. In January 2021, I assumed the position of the president of the council and started working on the budget for the 2021 financial year."
(On the importance of women serving in local government positions, especially given that WW has grown from a town that had virtually no women in government 50 years ago to one that is significantly more inclusive)
"Several towns have seen a similar change as West Windsor's. I received my Engineering degree in 1973. I have seen many firsts! Women have often been disregarded as of less importance or not for serious work. Things have changed, but not everyone changes. However, in the last 25 years, I have spent time in working with young women to make them feel their own importance. I coach girls for robotics and training as well. I am sure at one time, WW had 5 women on the council and also had a woman mayor. People have started to look at us beyond being male or female but at what we can deliver."
