Meet the Candidates
James Benscoter
Jim joined the Green Brook Township Committee in 2015, after volunteering for more than 13 years on the Green Brook Board of Education. Jim was the Board of Education President for nine years, and Green Brook’s representative on the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education for two years.
While on the Board of Education, Jim has always stressed the importance of preserving high quality education for our children, while consistently striving for fiscal responsibility. During his tenure on the Township Committee, Jim has served on the Land Use Board, Municipal Drug Alliance and the Cultural Heritage and Historic Preservation Committees.
In his personal life, Jim has also volunteered for more than 25 years, serving as a Trustee of the J.S. Henderson Scholarship Fund, Board Member of Home Sharing of Somerset County, and CFO and Treasurer of Rensselaer Acacia Corporation.
Jim is a lifelong New Jersey resident and has lived in Green Brook nearly 30 years with his three sons, ages 28, 25, and 23. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Rutgers. After 31 years, Jim retired from Public Service Electric and Gas and is currently working for H&R Block.
Jim Benscoter has nearly 25 years of continuous dedicated public service to Green Brook and is always concerned for what is "Best for Green Brook."
Marlan Schwartz MD
Marlan is a lifelong New Jersey resident and has been a proud resident of Green Brook for over 34 years. With his wife Shelly, they raised their three sons, Mickey (26), Sam (24) and Max (22), here.
Marlan volunteered for 10 years coaching Green Brook Little League Rec and Travel baseball as well as Green Brook Rec and Travel basketball. These experiences allowed Marlan to foster teamwork and sportsmanship with the children, develop lifelong friendships with families in town, and strengthen an already deep commitment to the community.
As a member of the Township Committee, he will promote responsible budgets that will keep our community safe and thriving, while preserving the character of our town that has made it a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
Marlan served on the Green Brook Board of Health for 10 years and was also a volunteer on the Board of Directors for the Green Brook Little League, including one term as Treasurer.
In his professional career, he served two 4-year terms as Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at RWJ Somerset Medical Center, has been on the Board of Directors for Lifeline Medical Associates (LMA) since 2004, and has been the Treasurer of LMA since 2014. Marlan also Chairs the Retirement Committee for LMA. Additionally, Marlan holds an elected position as a Republican County Committee Member for Somerset County.
He graduated with Honors from Wake Forest University and then achieved his medical degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He has practiced OB/Gyn in the community since 1990. As a physician, he will be able to offer insight and practical, evidence-based input and solutions for any community health programs or concerns.
Our Vision
Our vision for Green Brook is to strive for stable taxes and renewed focus on economic development. Green Brook is a great place to live, work and play. We pledge to continue doing the things that made it that way!