My name is Nuris Portuondo, candidate for Common Council, Ward 1 in the City of Summit. I am writing to you to introduce myself and to let you know who I am and why I am seeking to serve on our City’s Common Council.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and shortly thereafter, I moved to France with my family in the 1990’s while my husband completed his postdoctoral studies. Our family then moved back to the United States. I attended Hofstra University School of Law and moved to Summit after graduation. I am now a partner in my law firm where I oversee the construction litigation group.

Some of you may know me from my married name "Molina." My husband Carlos Molina is a college professor and a scientist. He was formerly at UMDNJ and now teaches Molecular Biology at Montclair State University.

I have raised two children in Summit. My oldest daughter, a graduate of Summit High School, is in college and my youngest son is a junior at Summit High School.

I have always cared about our City and have found time to volunteer. I served on the Summit Zoning Board. I also served on the Boards of the local United Way and of the Connection for Women and Families. I came to Summit in search of excellent public schools and found much more.

My life has been blessed in many ways and Summit has been a big part of my life. I have met my Summit friends either through my involvement in politics or social causes, because they know my husband from the pool, or because they have given my kids rides to soccer or lacrosse when I was at work.

Serving on Common Council would afford me the opportunity to give back to our City, which has been so good to me and my family. I want to serve on Common Council because I am committed to public service.

My strengths are in the areas of zoning, planning, and residential and commercial development. This experience can prove useful to address some of the challenges our City is facing. We all want to see our downtown flourish and want to maintain the high standards in our public schools. At the same time, we need to be fiscally responsible as we respond to the needs of all our citizens, including our children, our youth and our seniors.

As I campaign in the next few months, I want to meet you and I want to discuss with you how we can improve our City together.