About Us

Experience that matters for Watchung

Ronald G. Jubin

MAYOR

  • Delivered cost-effective improvements in public safety, infrastructure, & community engagement
  • Appointed the first Police Captain and School Resource Officer
  • Secured a shared Fire Department ladder truck and new rescue squad automatic stretchers
  • Established the Mayor’s Wellness Committee
  • Healthcare executive with 35 years of management and budget experience

“I will continue serving as Mayor to keep Watchung safe, financially strong and moving forward, and to continue to strengthen community engagement. In just a few years, we’ve secured a million dollars in grants, upgraded our police and fire departments, protected our schools with an SRO officer, increased businesses in Watchung, built the borough’s first modern community gathering space, created the MyWatchung app for communication and established the Mayor’s wellness campaign, all without pushing the cost onto our taxpayers. I don’t believe in politics for politics’ sake — I believe in planning the work and working the plan. That’s how we keep Watchung’s budget sound and its small-town character intact. If you give me the chance to continue, I’ll keep doing exactly that: results first, every time.”

Sonia Abi-Habib

COUNCILWOMAN

  • Serves on the Fire, Public Works, Youth Services, Library Advisory Committees, and Board of Health
  • Active community leader & former PTA Chair
  • Founded “Women of Watchung,” celebrating Women’s History Month
  • Reestablished Watchung’s Senior Club and services
  • Finance professional focused on strengthening the community

“As councilwoman I have poured myself into this community in various ways especially by bringing my finance background to the Finance Committee. I believe every dollar should be accounted for. I will continue serving to support residents of every generation—supporting our senior club, our farmers market, Women of Watchung, and bringing wellness-focused activities for all age groups to participate in, as well as enjoyable programs for all residents, while ensuring everyone’s voice is heard for the community that I love.”

A Councilwoman on the Administration and Finance Committee, Sonia began her professional career as a financial analyst in New York City and then for her family business. Now a dedicated community volunteer in Watchung.

She is active in several boards and charities, including Eparchy of St Maron–Board Member and a volunteer for St Jude’s Research Hospital Heritage Annual Gala.

Sonia and her husband John are proud parents of two grown children. She believes that Watchung is a unique and special place and is committed to making it an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Rob Gibbs

COUNCILMAN

  • Delivered millions in taxpayer savings
  • Chairs the Laws & Ordinances Committee; focused on smart spending & quality of life
  • Trusted leader, previously elected three times to the Borough Council
  • Attorney with a strong energy policy background

“As a trusted leader who has served 3 times I have used my experience as an attorney to Chair the Law and Ordinance committee, protect taxpayers, promote responsible spending and remain committed to delivering results for Watchung. My focus if re-elected would be on four priorities: (1) initiating a community discussion on the redevelopment of the Ness Property and what the community would like to see there, (2) maintaining fiscal discipline and keeping municipal taxes as low as possible, (3) continued advocacy at the State and County levels regarding practical and safety-related improvements to the truck traffic on Hillcrest Road, and (4) continued focus on quality of life issues and the overall conditions and operations in the Borough.”

Rob is a highly regarded professional with over 24 years of corporate experience and a strong background in regulatory and government affairs.

Previously serving on Council from 2013-2019, he spearheaded unique and money saving solutions which saved the borough significant funds, including over $1 million in avoided costs to debride the rock wall face overlooking the Police Department and Public Works buildings, and taking advantage of dropping interest rates to refinance existing bonds before their maturity date saving residents over $80K per year in debt service costs.

Rob has a deep knowledge of the Borough’s operations, and notably led efforts in stabilizing the borough’s financial situation, growing it’s surplus from about $800 thousand to about $4.2 million, and overseeing credit rating agency increases to just short of AAA.