This year Mt. Laurel has three open seats for Mt. Laruel Township Council.
Every week, The Sun will ask candidates in the Nov. 8 election for council seats to respond to questions pertinent to local issues. This week’s questions:
Why are you running for town council, and if elected/re-elected what would be your top priority?
Linda Bobo
Age: 49
Occupation: Assistant director of business engagement at Rowan College at Burlington County & former small business owner
Political Affiliation: Republican
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: One of the founding members of the Mount Laurel Green Team and active PTO and school volunteer. Also served on the Mount Laurel Library Board and Mount Laurel Planning Board.
Why are you running for township council?
To continue to promote a government that budgets responsibly and financially plans for the future like the families, seniors and businesses we serve. Our efforts kept municipal property taxes flat this year while investing in new equipment and technology for our first responders and improving our infrastructure, parks and roads.
If elected/re-elected, what would be your top priority?
We will continue to expand programs and services at the lowest cost. Through shared services, grants and private-public partnerships with our business community, we can find ways to make Mount Laurel an even better place to live, at little to no cost to taxpayers.
Irwin Edelson
Age: 65
Occupation: General manager of a plastic manufacturing company with years of business experience
Political Affiliation: Republican
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: Mount Laurel Zoning Board and MUA member for more than 10 years and master of ceremonies for the Mount Laurel Fall Festival for more than 20 years. Served as president of the Fleetwood Athletic Association and a long-time youth baseball, soccer and basketball coach.
Why are you running for township council?
To continue to find ways to save taxpayers money while we improve local services, parks, roads and our infrastructure. By keeping taxes flat this year, we have proven that we can continue to improve our quality of life without asking taxpayers for more money.
If elected/re-elected, what would be your top priority?
We would continue to develop our long-range plan with input from our residents. We will explore more shared services with neighboring towns, our schools and our county and grant opportunities that will help lower costs and continue to attract new businesses to help offset residential property taxes.
Kurt Folcher
Age: 48
Occupation: Vice president of investments & Retirement services for Princeton Financial Partners with more than a decade of experience in finance and business
Political Affiliation: Republican
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: Long-time lacrosse, baseball and basketball coach and member of the Mount Laurel Zoning Board and Mount Laurel Business Association. Previously served as a member of the Mount Laurel Planning Board.
Why are you running for township council?
Years of coaching and volunteering as a member of the planning and zoning boards has taught me what we can accomplish when we work together. I want to utilize my private-sector and volunteer experience to make government more accountable and efficient for our residents.
If elected/re-elected, what would be your top priority?
I want to bring our community together to do more with less money. Engaging our talented volunteers, employees, small business owners and concerned residents in planning for our future will ensure that we provide the most affordable and innovative ways to solve problems and improve our community.
Kareem Pritchett, Sr.
Age: 44
Occupation: State correction officer
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: King David Lodge #15 Prince Hall Mason, Lockdown Riderz Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
Why are you running for township council?
I have always had a desire to serve my community. The best way to do that is to be involved in the planning and decision making of our township. I want to see Mt. Laurel flourish for its residents and businesses. I am a man of values and principles.
If elected/re-elected, what would be your top priority?
If elected, I will make sure there is transparency in our local government. That our tax dollars are not be misused or abused. Right now, there are questions regarding the budget, and I would like to provide the answers that the community deserves.
