Politics & Government

Synagogue Members, Residents Meet the Candidates

Township committee candidates answered questions about business and property taxes in Cinnaminson.

Four of the five candidates spoke about their campaigns in front of about 100 synogogue members and other residents at Thursday night in one of many in town during election season.

Independent , Cinndependence Independents and , and Republican incumbent  answered questions posted by Marcia Blacker, former president of Temple Sinai, who organized the event.

Afterward, the candidates answered various submitted questions from the audience on issues like stormwater management, pay-to-play and vacant buildings in town.

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Republican incumbent , in a phone call Thursday, said he couldn not attend the event due to a previously scheduled engagement.

The first question asked by Blacker was: "What do you see as the primary challenge Cinnaminson is facing?"

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Each candidate answered in a few words. Each got a chance to pick one and further discuss.

Ben Young: Taxes

On services: "We have a revenue problem in town. We need to review and adjust our services. That money (state aid reduction and tax appeals) has to be made up by the community. We make up the difference, which puts us short going into next year." 

Scott Lunn: Civility

On civility: "People need to be treated with respect. You can't just do a project without involving the citizens of Cinnaminson."

Ken Gertie: Lack of opposing point of view

On lack of opposing views: We have an inefficient government. There are five people sitting around nodding their heads. It leads to reckless spending. [We need to] question decisions being made."

Steve Fowles: Services

On services: "There has been a lot of conversation lately about the way things are handled. My own taxes have gone up over 40 percent since 2007. You look around—my question is, where is my money going to? I want to look into wasteful spending."

The second question posted by Blacker was how to deal with Cinnaminson, being a river town, during an economic downtown.

Fowles: "In order to attract businesses, you have to have a strong community. You have to draw businesses that are unique. If you draw a circle around Cinnaminson ... you're in the river. You want to try to get something nobody else has. Also, you have to support your local businesses."

Lunn: "I don't think we can continue poor planning ... we have to be proactive, not reactive. People are the greatest resource. We need to bring people together. [We need to] look at problems and solve them in these challenging times. Are these new businesses helping? Small businesses—we need to support them."

Gertie: "We need to try to minimize the effects of economic downturn and get businesses to recognize Cinnaminson as a vibrant community with a good consumer base. Residents are what brings business to town."

Young: "Along Route 130 is where we will fare better. That's the area we focus on. We've worked very hard to attract businesses. We've had to redevelop roads to traffic to get the Shoppes. We brought in the business community to talk about redevelopment."

The candidates are running for two open seats on township committee. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

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