This year’s candidates for Palmyra Township Council explain why they are running.
Editor’s Note: The Palmyra Sun requested the following submissions from this year’s candidates for Palmyra Township Council. The candidates’ responses for each race are listed in alphabetical order.
Palmyra Township Council Election Candidates
Name: Frank Cosky, Esq.
Political affiliation: Republican
Why are you running? Frank has lived in Palmyra his entire life, having graduated from Palmyra High School in 1982. He then attended Rutgers University in Camden with a dual major in both Accounting and Business and went on to receive his law degree from Rutgers Law School.
Frank has been practicing law over 25 years with offices currently in Merchantville, NJ.
Frank served on council on two previous occasions and is looking forward to working across the aisle to achieve progress in the southside of Route 73 development.
Frank is also looking to work on the on-going issue of abandoned and bank-owned properties which are bringing down home values in the borough.
Having served as Director of Public safety in the past, Frank is looking forward to working with the first responders and facilitating a symbiotic relationship between the council and police, fire and ambulance departments.
Name: Timothy S. Howard
Age: 51
Occupation: Business Development Coordinator
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: Halloween Parade Committee, Pal-Riv Basketball Organization, Community Center Program Board
Why are you running? You are either part of the solution, or you are a part of the problem. It is easy to sit on the sideline and criticize or complain about how things are. It is not always easy rolling up your sleeves and putting the work in to make things better. I am running for re-election because when I was elected four years ago, we created a ten-year capital budget plan which was a fiscal plan to make sure we could keep our taxes as low as possible while creating a surplus. I am proud to say, carrying out this plan has enabled us to buy two needed fire trucks as well as providing body cameras and additional equipment for both the Police and Fire departments. I believe being fiscally smart and applying for several grants have put our community in a better position to upgrade our parks and improve our buildings. Being a member of council for the past four years has allowed me to use my professional competence to make tough decisions for the betterment of the community. As with all growing communities, our needs change with the time. I would like to continue using my ability to keep the borough on track with meeting the growing community needs. Being a volunteer member on several of our local nonprofit organizations, I am able to see the importance of the borough and the organizations working together to meet the needs of our community.
Being a council member is not always a walk in the park. I have been the subject of much scrutiny over the years, and where many people would wash their hands of it all, and walk away, I will not. I cannot. Growing up in Palmyra, volunteering in Palmyra, working with the children of Palmyra, and living in Palmyra has made me love and appreciate our town. Collaboration is essential when it comes to making changes and improvements. I believe I bring much-needed diversity to the dais. My work is not finished. I look forward to being able to continue what I have started.
Name: Michelle McCann
Age: 44
Occupation: Teacher of children with Special Needs, Charles Street School, Palmyra, NJ
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Clubs/Organizations you belong to: Member of NJEA
Why are you running? My primary goal for this run and election is to continue and support the amazing existing council members’ hard work and dedication to improving the borough of Palmyra. I have lived here for 18 years, and want to continue the improvements and be a part of the team that increases small businesses, increases revenue and allows our town to be put on the map for families, young and old.
In the past three years I have observed an increase in businesses, a main street that is becoming more vibrant, the farmers market, and look forward to the holiday lights, the improved Grove Park, and the future improvements to Temple Boulevard and the surrounding areas. As I became more aware of the issues and happenings in the area, I wanted to be a part of the great changes that are happening thanks to the current council members and the Palmyra Improvement Association.
I hope to give back to a community that has been a part of our little family. We are active in the public schools, utilize all that is around us, such as the river walk, the Palmyra Nature Cove, the parks and small businesses, and I hope I can continue the positive and pro-active approach the board has started.
Thank you for this great opportunity to serve Palmyra, NJ.
Name: Lew Yetter
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired
Politcal Affiliation: Independent
Clubs/Organizations: Land Use Board, Palmyra Green Team, PIA, TNFF Bowling League
Why are you running? Hello! I am Lew Yetter, incumbent and independent candidate for Borough council. I have lived here since 1962, graduated Palmyra High School in 1973; my wife Ruth and both children are PHS grads.
In my time in office, I have seen too much politics, and not enough “governing.” Both sides are guilty of grandstanding, attacking political opponents and delaying tactics, which I consider to be a total waste of time. There’s no place for party politics in Palmyra.
As an Independent, my decisions are based on what I see as best for Palmyra, period. I am willing to work with anyone who has a good idea, regardless of party. Being retired, I have time to look into the issues we face, and try to achieve solutions that will benefit us all.
I like the direction Palmyra as a whole is headed in. We have kept the tax increases to a minimum, and there is progress in the abandoned housing issue. I am in favor of the outdoor seating and dining proposals, seeing it as a small step into the 21st century.
When I was elected three years ago, I admit I had no idea how our borough operated, or how things got done. I’ve learned a lot in my term in office, and like having a hand in the decision making process. Re-elect me, and it will always be “Palmyra before Party.”
Republican candidate Susan Van Emburgh did not submit answers to the questions by deadline.
