In the first week, the council candidates explain why they chose to run for council and what their biggest priority is.
The Sicklerville Sun is running a four-week Meet the Candidates series ahead of this November’s Gloucester Township Council and Mayoral election.
Below are profiles of the candidates running in the election. In the coming weeks, the candidates will answer questions regarding issues pertaining to the town.
Name: Frank Radisch
Age: 46
Occupation: Surgical Device Specialist
Political Affiliation: Republican
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to: TBAA
Why are you running?
I am running for Mayor because I believe the Gloucester Township Tax Payer has not been represented properly. Over the past 8 years we have seen a 42% increase in our taxes while our incomes and home values remain stagnant. I have talked to too many residents who feel that they are not getting a fair return on the taxes they pay. This trend of over spending and taxation has to end.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
The top priority to our administration would be to manage our budget better and stop the pattern of over spending and over taxing our residents. We have to show our current and future residents that Gloucester Township is responsible with the money that they pay in taxes.
Name: Dave Mayer
Age: 50
Occupation: I am the current Mayor of Gloucester Township. I also teach courses in political science, public administration and public policy at Rowan University. Additionally, I serve as the Senior Director Government Relations at Comcast.
Political Affiliation: Democrat
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to:
- Corporate Chairman for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Mainstage Board
Why are you running for Mayor?
I am running for reelection because I believe in fiscal responsibility as we have shown. Over the last eight years, we have stabilized the municipal tax rate by not raising taxes 6 out of 8 years. Prior to those years, residents of GT experienced tax increases each and every year.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
I want residents to be and feel safe and will continue working with our Police Department to promote community policing strategies which have reduced the crime rate by 34% since 2010. I will continue investing in our youth and looking at ways of saving open space while becoming more sustainable.
Name: Peter Heinbaugh, on the ballot in column 2 with the “$aving Gloucester Township Team”
Age: 56
Occupation: Accountant in the private sector. Never in the government sector. Not a career politician.
Political Affiliation: The Gloucester Twp Republican Party; striving to end the costly, harmful single party regime in our town.
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to:
At this time, my efforts are focused on helping to fix Gloucester Township government and to control our high taxes.
Why are you running for town council?
Gloucester Township Council is ruled by a single party. Every Council vote is 7-to-0. Taxes have been raised 42%. With the current Council, there is no accountability to residents. I will bring a better balance of ideas, and greater accountability to Council. AND I WILL REDUCE TAXES.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
TO REDUCE OUR HIGH TAXES!
But high taxes are simply the result of broken government. Irresponsible spending costs money. Pay-to-play government contracts cost money. Giving jobs to unqualified, connected cronies costs money.
Ending these broken government practices is required in order to achieve the priority of REDUCING TAXES.
Name:Dan Hutchison.
Age: 50 I am years old
Occupation: I practice law in Woodbury, NJ.
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Clubs/organizations you belong to:
- Councilman in Gloucester Township.
- Planning Board
Why are you running for town council?
I am running for Council because “Service” is important in my family. My wife is an Emergency Room Nurse at the University of Pennsylvania and we have attempted to instill “Service” as a “Value” in our four children. Our children currently “Serve” in a variety of different capacities including food banks, assisting the elderly and the helping children who are less fortunate.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Priorities on council are keeping Gloucester Township “safe and affordable”. I will support programs that are designed to allow our youth to choose paths that lead them away from drugs and violence. I also want to continue the Mayor’s goal of Branding Gloucester Township as a great place to Live, Work and Play. The town is in the midst of a resurgence that has seen the Premium Outlets as well as other businesses coming to our community. Open Space and Recreation facilities are first rate and have attracted national competitions in hockey and Police K-9 groups.
Name: Jen O’Donnell, on the ballot in column 2 with the “$aving Gloucester Township Team”
Age: 47
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
Political Affiliation: Disgruntled Democrat turned Republican
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to:
- Member of the Gloucester Township Board of Education.
- Active in many school and extracurricular programs and activities.
Why are you running for town council?
I am running because someone has to. Someone has to stop the negative “progression” of the way this township is headed, which is in the wrong direction.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Taxes! Residents can’t afford to spend a mortgage payment on taxes, so political donors can quadruple their money in township contracts.
Name: Scott Owens
Age: 38
Occupation: Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at Rutgers University-Camden
Political Affiliation: Democrat
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to:
- Coach of Erial Little League
- Chairman of Gloucester Township Planning Board
Why are you running for council?
I want to continue the progress in our town. As a young family, I see the great opportunities for families to participate in like the movie nights, various recreational activities, numerous playgrounds and state-of-the art turf fields, MLK day of service, and more. I want to see these and more continue to be available for our residents.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
I would ensure we continue stabilizing the municipal tax rate, without eliminating services residents depend on like public safety, trash and recycling removal, brush removal, road improvements, senior services, and more. I believe in providing a good quality of life for our residents which builds a strong sense of community.
Name: Rhoda Montana, on the ballot in column 2 with the “$aving Gloucester Township Team”
Age: 58
Occupation: I have been in sales and marketing since I was 17 years old.
Political Affiliation: Gloucester Twp Republican Party
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to: As an active member of my church community, it has been my pleasure to sing in the choir at Laurel Hill Bible Church any my honor to teach in the bible school.
Why are you running for town council?
Spending time listening to families has given me insight to the highs and lows faced by many. Stories of financial difficulties due to rising property taxes hit close to home. I needed to do something. We don’t need 4 more years of the same career politicians. We need honest change.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
My top priority is to help stop wasteful spending and prioritize the spending for the taxpayers. We must keep the government’s house in order, just as every Gloucester Township family keeps its own house in order. I want to give our families a fighting chance to stay in our town.
Name: Michelle Winters
Age: 50
Occupation: I am a registered nurse and the manager of invasive cardiology at Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden, New Jersey and have been there for over 25 years. I am a Democrat.
List of Clubs/Organizations you belong to:
- Triton Field Hockey,
- Blackwood Kiwanis Baseball,
- Gloucester Township Hockey Alliance
- Blackwood Lake Advisory Committee.
Why are you running for council?
I am running for reelection to keep the Township moving forward with fiscal leadership and responsibility.
If elected, what would be your top priority?We have made great improvements to the parks/recreation, crime rates, consolidation of services, projects with public works, and decreasing the crime rate, just to name a few.
