Every week, The Sun will ask candidates in the Nov. 4 election for council seats to respond to questions pertinent to local issues. Coverage for Week 1 here.
This week’s questions:
1.) How do you feel the township has handled the number of abandoned properties in the township, and what should be done in the future?
2.) How important are green initiatives, and how should the town utilize it for the benefits of residents?
Republican Mayoral Candidate Mayor Randy Brown, and Town Council candidates Councilwoman Deborah Hackman, and Councilman Steven Zeuli
1.) How do you feel the township has handled the number of abandoned properties in the township, and what should be done in the future?
The abandoned properties issue began nationwide years ago after the bottom fell out of the housing market.
In Evesham, as more and more properties began to be neglected by the big banks and lien holders we knew that our township council had to act and act swiftly.
We introduced legislation to attack the abandon properties and go after the negligent lien holders. Through this legislation we have begun to force the big banks and lien holders to clean up their properties and even begin selling some of them on our inventory.
The New Jersey State Legislature and Governor Christie signed into legislation recently the abandon properties act.
This legislation now adds some teeth to our township law. This legislation, which had to be adopted by each individual municipality, will force big banks, mortgage companies and lien holders to keep their properties up to township standards or face $1,500 a day fines.
Mayor Randy Brown, Councilwoman Deb Hackman, Councilman Steve Zeuli, Councilman Bob DiEnna and Deputy Mayor Ken D’Andrea all voted unanimously to approve this legislation in September of 2014. The newly adopted law states very clearly that after the lien holder or lender receives the list of repairs/improvements from Evesham Township they must fix all issues to township standards within 30 days or face a $1,500 a day fine. As you can tell, this could add up quickly, so if ignored by the lienholder for just 30 days that would lead to a $45,000 penalty.
Our message is very clear to all banks, mortgage companies and lienholders that are foreclosing or have foreclosed on properties in Evesham Township, you better keep these properties clean and neighborhood acceptable or risk losing the properties via a massive amount of fines.
Evesham now has enacted the toughest legislation in the State of New Jersey regarding abandon properties and will be enforcing the law strongly. We are tired of these lienholders showing a blatant disregard for our beautiful communities and neighborhoods that make Evesham Township the greatest town in New Jersey. We will now hold them to the high standard that all the 50,000 residents of our great town expect.
2.) How important are green initiatives, and how should the town utilize it for the benefits of residents?
Since mayor Brown was sworn into office in July of 2007, our green energy programs have continued to skyrocket. Under his leadership and the leadership of this current council, we have emphasized the green energy programs like no other prior council in the townships history
Mayor Brown in 2007 revitalized the once dormant Environmental Commission under the strong leadership of John Volpa and Illa Vassallo.
In the previous seven years many initiatives were created and realized such as the preservation of the Black Run Preserve, township acquisitions of open space in and around the Black Run along with trails thru the Black Run.
Township recycling rates are at their highest levels in history. We have partnered with Burlington County in single stream recycling, which has shown significant positive results already.
We have worked tirelessly with not only the Pinelands, but Mrs. Soboleski’s class in the preservation and new plantings of trees in and around township owned facilities.
Evesham Township’s use of solar panels has saved taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars since installed.
Evesham has been a leader in the State of New Jersey in not only green energy initiatives, but environmental initiatives under Mayor Randy Brown and the Evesham Township council.
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Fred Ritter, and Town Council Candidates Sophia Nowinski, and Phil Warren
1.) How do you feel the township has handled the number of abandoned properties in the township, and what should be done in the future?
While redevelopment of the Township’s abandoned properties doesn’t happen overnight, we believe that the Mayor and Council have slowed down the process and hindered growth in our town.
The number of abandoned properties has continued to increase, forcing the residents to carry more of the tax burden. We need to encourage business growth in Evesham in order to keep taxes stable because, just as residents choose our town to raise their families, businesses make the same choice for their customers. We need to make sure that the administration is more pro-active in reaching out to new businesses and develop programs for ongoing business retention and recognition.
Instead, the Mayor and Council have interjected their personal priorities and interests into the planning and negotiations process. Developers and planners need to be allowed to do their job while Council provides guidance and a vision for a smart, sustainable, and vibrant redevelopment of our commercial areas.
2.) How important are green initiatives, and how should the town utilize it for the benefits of residents?
Adopting sustainable energy policies and procedures can help save taxpayer dollars and are vital to the future of Evesham for residents and businesses alike.
There are many steps we can take, big and small, but we should begin by conducting an energy audit to identify areas for potential savings and change, such as enacting lighting efficiencies at all Township facilities to cut down on energy usage while also saving taxpayer dollars. When financially prudent, the Township should utilize green purchasing options. In addition, we must take a comprehensive look at our overall Township development and ensure that we are utilizing sustainable practices so that open spaces, farms, and wildlife are preserved from overdevelopment to protect our lands for future generations.
When developing along Main Street and other commercial areas, we should also keep in mind the goals of encouraging a healthy lifestyle, minimizing traffic, creating beautiful landscapes, and integrating mixed residential and commercial uses that can take advantage of public transportation.
