Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Patch is putting together a series of candidate profiles so readers can learn more about who's on their ballot this November. MORRISTOWN, NJ — With Election Day approaching, Patch is putting together a series of candidate profiles so readers can learn more about who’s on their ballot. Andrea Lekberg is a local business owner and Morristown Planning Board member, and is throwing her hat in the ring to be Morristown's mayor. Morristown Patch asked candidates to share some information about themselves, and asked identical questions to all candidates. See Lekberg's responses below: Full name: Andrea Mai Lekberg Age: 59 Town of residence: Morristown Position sought: Mayor of Morristown Party affiliation: Independent Family: Mother, Fran Davidson Education: a. 2010 Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (CUEED) Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative (EPI) Newark Campus NJ b. 1990 Graduated from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago in Professional Baking. Chicago IL c. 1988 BFA School of the Art Institute Chicago, Chicago IL Occupation: Owner/ Chef The Artist Baker Previous or current elected/appointed office (if applicable): Planning Board 2021- current 1. Why are you running for this position? I’m running for Mayor of Morristown because good people deserve good government. I believe the current administration is out of touch with the people of Morristown. As a small business owner in town, I’ve heard many customers discuss frustrations with reckless development, lack of preservation, and the decrease in quality of life that comes with that. I want to be a voice for our residents and listen to their concerns. 2. What do you believe to be the most pressing issue in the community, and what do you intend to do about it if elected? Morristown is at a crossroads, just as we were in the Revolution. We need a Morristown that grows more responsibly and works for our residents. Years of reckless development have disrupted our communities, crushed small businesses, neglected historic preservation, and increased our taxes. 3. What qualifications and qualities do you possess that make you best suited for the position? I have been a resident and small business owner in our community for 17 years. As a business owner, I understand what it takes to build a successful business. Small business owners have to be creative and think outside the box to solve problems both big and small, from navigating the COVID pandemic to staying competitive in a growing town. I’m open-minded when listening to new ideas and helping accomplish them if it’s decided that is what’s best for Morristown. I’ve served on the Planning Board since 2021, and I am a graduate of the Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (CUEED) Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative (EPI), a highly competitive nine-month program for entrepreneurs. In 2022, I was named a New Jersey Hero by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and received the Melody Whitelaw Award from the Morristown Women in Business Network in 2024. I’ve been a leader in our community and championed many projects for different organizations. I’ve worked with the Market Street Mission on their Gingerbread Project, which teaches their recovery program residents to bake and build Gingerbread Houses. This project gives the men in the program the ability to try something new and out of their comfort zone in a safe and supportive environment. In the aftermath of the shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas in 2022, I felt the conversations surrounding the shootings were too politically motivated and that the victims of these tragedies were being forgotten. Inspired by the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos, I collaborated with local businesses and organizations to create our own Dia de los Muertos to celebrate and remember the lives that were lost in the shooting. It has grown into a great tradition that continues each year and I hope you’ll join us in celebrating this year! 4. Overdevelopment has been a growing concern throughout NJ. How do you intend to address it in your community? Our approach to development has to be balanced. We need a more thoughtful approach into how our residents live here, raise a family here, and grow old here. I would like to focus on bringing more daytime activities to Morristown. For a healthy economy, we need more daytime activities that center around our seniors and young families, in addition to our already thriving nightlife. By building a Community Center, we can better serve all of our residents with classes and services. We also must prioritize our historical preservation efforts and embrace our history. 5. If you are running against an incumbent, where do you believe they’re lacking in serving the community? If you are an incumbent, what areas, if any, do you think you could improve upon in terms of public service? After 16 years in office, Mayor Dougherty is Morristown’s longest serving Mayor and his administration is out of touch with Morristown. Residents and staff are reluctant to challenge the administration not because they agree, but because they know dissent isn’t welcome. Important matters like the hospital expansion have been discussed behind the scenes, rather than in open public forums. There’s a small circle of favored contractors, donors, and developers who seem to miraculously move to the front of the line. Mayor Dougherty had created a culture that reflects loyalty rather than leadership. Morristown deserves better than a government running on autopilot. Good people deserve good government. I believe it’s time for something new, something different in how we make decisions and who gets to be a part of the conversation. There’s so much to preserve here in Morristown: our history, our culture, our open space. How much more development can we take before we stop and ask: what is this growth costing us? How is it affecting our neighborhoods and communities? There are so many opportunities for us to grow with intention. How people live here, raise their families here, and grow old here is just as important as building new rentals or another corporate headquarters. I’ll give residents a stronger voice in the decision-making process. I’ll prioritize transparency, accountability, and open lines of communication. I’ll establish office hours to listen to our residents, not for them to listen to me. I will welcome feedback, good or bad. I’ll host regular open houses for residents looking to get involved in our community. Morristown thrives when more voices are at the table and I believe in creating more ways for them to get there. Morristown deserves leadership that listens and isn’t afraid to try something new. Progress doesn’t come from playing it safe, it comes from pushing boundaries and asking the tough questions. That’s how I’ve built my business and that’s how I’ll lead this town. I’m not here to play politics and I can’t be bought. 6. In a few words, what is your favorite thing about your community? I have many favorite things about Morristown: our diversity, our history, our people and business community. When I was opening my business on Cattano Avenue, I was working every day during the buildout. Marty from Marty’s Cycle Shop on Speedwell would often stop by to share stories about starting his own business in Morristown back in 1978 and what it takes to make it in Morristown. Through Marty, I met Samantha, one of the founders of Grow it Green. He was a true connector. John from Lin’s Palace around the corner would bring me food while our kitchen was still under construction and my new neighbor Pat from Settebellos would invite me over, feed me, and talk business. As a new business owner, it meant the world to me to be welcomed with open arms by the Morristown community. ____
