In a prepared statement, candidate for Madison Borough Council, Tom Haralampoudis of Pomeroy Road, discusses his motivation for running for office years, his years of volunteerism, and his position on issues that are most important to him: the environment, the vitality of Madison’s downtown business district, recreation, and affordable housing.
Candidate Haralampoudis said that he looks forward to working with his running mate, Councilmember Rachel Ehrlich, Mayor Bob Conley and the other Council members “to deliver dependable municipal services in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Councilmember Maureen Byrne has announced she will not be seeking re-election, and Mr. Haralampoudis will be running to fill her seat on Council.
Tom Haralampoudis stated: “In 1992, my wife, Christina, and I chose to make Madison our home. Five children, two dogs and a lovely home with great neighbors later, we are sure that we made the right decision. Madison continues to offer us so much as a community. It is close enough to NYC to commute to work, has a vibrant downtown, cultural options for entertainment, highly accredited schools, nice outdoor recreation activities, and a diverse population. We were not at all surprised when Madison was selected as the ‘#1 Best Place to Live in New Jersey’.”
Throughout his years in Madison, Tom Haralampoudis has dedicated himself to being active in the community. “I have always wanted to make Madison an even better place to live and work,” he said. “To me, it’s an honor to have opportunities to serve the community and participate with residents and borough government. I know that keeping Madison moving forward with well thought-out changes while continuing to maintain its unique identity and quality of life is a top priority for us all.”
The candidate says that he is someone who believes that it’s not enough to just live in a town, but that we all should be active contributors to the life of the community. “I have volunteered throughout my entire life – scouting, working with outreach groups like the Morristown community soup kitchen, Interfaith food pantry and numerous functions with our Greek Church – to put others first. My first active volunteer group in Madison was and remains the Madison Rotary Club.”
Tom Haralampoudis is presently a member of the Madison Public Library Board of Trustees, the Madison Board of Health, the board of HQM, Inc. (formerly the Madison Housing Corporation), and is president and founder of the Madison Junior School Sports Program. Together with his children, he also organizes and supports the annual Jersey Cares coat drive in town. His team collects and sorts over 1,000 coats that Jersey Cares distributes to shelters and soup kitchens around the state. He is also a past chairman of the Madison Environmental Commission and a former member of the Madison Recreation Committee. He also served four years on the Madison Board of Education and was a co-founder of the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee.
Tom Haralampoudis has a BA in economics and an MBA in Marketing/Business management. Together with his brother, he runs a family business, Lanca Sales, an export company that sells primarily U.S. manufactured foodservice disposables and janitorial products to 70 countries.
The candidate stated that “we are proud that our efforts have created jobs and brought revenues back to the U.S. with our global supply business. I would also point out that our company’s warehouse and offices are 100% solar powered.”
“Climate action is huge,” he observed. “I live that in my own life – the same things we are trying to promote in Madison. In addition to providing solar power for our business, we have a geothermal HVAC system in our home.” Mr. Haralampoudis was also one of the first Tesla electric vehicle (EV) owners in Madison.
“I fully support and have participated in the borough’s on-going efforts to improve our treatment of the environment,” he stated. “We know climate change is real and that every positive modification, no matter small, that we make in our lifestyle and business management will bring the community that much closer to real sustainability. Addressing climate change is going to be a big part of Rachel’s and my mission on Council.”
Together with his running mate Rachel Ehrlich, Tom Haralampoudis has been endorsed by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV). Theirs’ is one of only nine campaigns or candidates in all of Morris County to receive an NJLCV endorsement.
As a member of the HQM,Inc. board, Tom Haralampoudis has also seen how important it is to have affordable housing in Madison. “We see the variety of residents that need housing assistance for multitudes of different reasons. Madison has long been an affordable housing role model for New Jersey with over 190 affordable housing units around town and concrete plans to expand more through 2025.”
Candidate Haralampoudis said that in addition to his extensive volunteer and work experience, “I believe that I have special qualities that make me uniquely suited to a role on the Borough Council. I am amicable, approachable, and I pride myself on being a good listener. I am open minded. I want to hear different perspectives and welcome any opportunity to learn from others. As well-run as Madison is, there are always challenges to face and I am ready to take them on.
I have a number of ideas as to how to make Madison even better going forward. For example, I have been a long-time supporter of improving our open spaces and recreation facilities as way to enhance our quality of life and the physical and mental health of our residents. Madison has become a walking town and residents want options for activities around their home – for themselves and their children.”
Tom Haralampoudis concluded by saying that “I look forward to meeting more members of the community, as I want to earn their vote for a seat on Council.”
For more information on the Democratic candidates for Madison Borough Council and non-partisan voter information, please visit www.madisonnjdems.com or drop by the MDC booth at the Farmers’ Market. For more information on the Democratic candidates for Morris County Commission, please visit www.morris2022.com.