Leading up to the 2020 election, The Mullica Hill Sun is running a three-week Meet the Candidates series. In this first week, candidates running in the 2020 election for Harrison Township Committee provided some background on who they are and why they’ve chosen to run.
Voters will decide at the polls who will be elected to fill the single seat up for election in the township on Nov. 3. Ballots can be cast either by mail, hand-delivered to the various drop boxes in Gloucester County or by a provisional ballot at your district’s polling place.
All mailed ballots must be postmarked before Nov. 3 to be counted. Not registered to vote? Residents can register by visiting State.NJ.US/State/Elections/Vote.shtml.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Name: Julie DeLaurentis
Occupation: Founder/Owner JGD Solutions, LLC
Political Affiliation: Independent (Unaffiliated)
Clubs/Organizations: Current Member of: Mullica Hill Business Association, Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club
Harrison Township has been my home for 30 years and I’ve been an active member from day one. I’m an Independent who wants what’s best for our township. The bipartisan Harrison F1rst philosophy is inclusive and positive. Our residents want elected officials who work on their behalf to get things done and create bridges, not walls, within our community.
We’ve crafted a Master Plan with specific initiatives each year. The plan also includes the desirables on our community’s “wish list,” which we prudently address without substantial tax increases to our residents. Understandably, we cannot do everything at once as some might suggest — remember we only control 16 percent of the tax our residents pay. This is really where experience matters — it’s easy to say we need to do everything now, but it’s just not possible.
My experience includes both leadership and volunteer positions. As a Township Committee Member, I’ve been liaison for the Joint Land Use Board, Township Development, Recreation Commission, 55+ Active Adults group, Clearview Regional HS and the Veterans Commission. As a volunteer and a committee member, I’ve built strong working relationships with our township government and volunteers as well as county, state and neighboring municipalities. In short, I have the experience necessary to meet the challenges. If re-elected I’ll continue to serve our residents and keep the positive-bipartisan momentum on course.
Name: Rick Pescatore
Occupation: Physician
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: Devonshire HOA, Dad Basketball, JumpStart Tee-Ball, Sovereign Stables
I grew up in South Jersey before heading to Annapolis to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and serve as a naval officer. I returned home for medical school and to train at Cooper Hospital, all while serving in municipal government — on Recreation Boards and Strategic Planning Committees — as well as in the community, instructing at the police academy, as an EMS medical director, and raising funds to provide for neighbors in need. I’ve been honored to serve on Congressional Advisory committees and nonprofits, and most recently, to help in the fight against COVID-19 both as a frontline emergency physician and public health official, letting data drive decisions and working every day to protect and provide for the communities I serve.
Local government has a responsibility to work for those things which make a meaningful difference in its citizens’ lives. We must prioritize education — ensuring our kids have access to the best opportunities and resources. We have a duty to provide our first responders with the best training and equipment to keep us safe and healthy.
I’m running for Township Committee because my experience, drive and knowledge can make a difference. I know what it takes to transform a budget, direct resources where they’re needed and ensure that every one of our friends, families and neighbors has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. The many long nights I’ve logged fighting for my community and country have helped me learn how not only to save lives, but how to make them better.
FULL NAME –Â Daniel Ross
OCCUPATION-Â Nursing student
POLITICL AFFILIATION-Â Â Republican
ORGANIZATIONS-Â National Student Nurses Association
I am Daniel Ross, a full-time nursing student at Widener University, lifelong resident of Harrison Township, a first-time candidate and certainly not a politician. So why am I running? Part of it is that I believe that I can bring fresh ideas and energy to the township, in which I hope to raise my family. This is, and will always be, my home as it has been for my entire family who live and own businesses here. I believe that our country is at a turning point and that we need more young people to get involved to set examples that change is not created through violence and rioting. I intend to set that example by working within government. I am also seeking office to make Harrison Township more affordable for residents of all ages. I will work to reduce big government and its tax burden on future generations, including my own. It is possible to cut spending and downsize local government while still providing necessary services and caring for our seniors. The biggest reason for my decision to embark on this challenge is a trait that my parents instilled in me since my childhood, and that is a drive to serve. I chose a profession of service to others and can think of no better way to serve my friends and fellow residents than to offer my fresh voice, new ideas and strong resolve for the people that I hope to be elected to represent.
