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Mullica candidates pledge transparency
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MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Three of the four candidates running for Township Committee say they will work to end public infighting among committee members. The fourth candidate insists that any problems among committee members are the fault of the opposing party and that members of her party always performed their duties with open minds and entirely above-board.
Voters will elect two committee members Tuesday.
With Mayor Janet Forman opting not to run for re-election, longtime Committeewoman Kathy Chasey is the only incumbent in the race. However, her running mate on the Republican ticket, Bruce Crowe, was a committeeman from 1996 to 2005 and served as mayor in 2004. He lost a 2005 re-election bid to William Kennedy, who is now deputy mayor and has since become a Republican.
Their Democratic opponents - Anthony M. Gabris and Susan Polk - are newcomers to running for elected office but say that Mullica needs a fresh perspective.
The Township Committee has drawn strong public criticism in recent years for a perceived lack of cohesion and transparency. Those problems, critics have argued, are due largely to partisan maneuverings and accusations of backroom political dealings that have become a regular part of public meetings.
Crowe, Gabris and Polk all say that they would work to open the lines of communications between the parties and end the infighting. Meanwhile, Chasey said Democratic accusations against the Republicans on committee of backroom politics and lack of transparency are "absolutely untrue."
And while the Democrats are aided financially by the local political committee Keep Mullica Green, all four candidates are in agreement about their development goals - preserving open space while promoting commercial development along the White Horse Pike and according to the existing master plan.
The balance of power on the five-person committee - three Republicans and two Democrats - is at stake in the election. The Democrats started the year with a 3-2 majority until Kennedy changed his affiliation to Republican in April.
Contact Robert Spahr:
609-272-7283
Kathy Chasey
Party: Republican
Age: 53
Years of residency: 34
Education: Wall Township High School, 1974
Occupation: Housewife
Elected experience: Has been on Township Committee since 1996; school board member from 1989-96
Major issue: Preserving Mullica Township's independence.
Bruce Crowe
Party: Republican
Age: 62
Years of residency: 30
Educational: Oakcrest High School, 1964
Occupation: Retired machine operator and union president for Lenox China in Galloway Township.
Electoral experience: Township Committee for nine years
Major Issue: Bringing in commercial ratables.
Anthony M. Gabris
Party: Democratic
Age: 69
Years of residency: 45
Education: West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, 1958
Occupation: Retired engineer from GE aerospace.
Electoral experience: None
Major Issue: Balancing preservation with growth.
Susan Polk
Party: Democratic
Age: 56
Years of residency: 32
Education: Bachelor's in Education from Rowan University, 1975
Occupation: Retired School Teacher
Elected experience: None
Major Issue: Uniting the community.
Posted in Atlantic on Friday, October 30, 2009 3:10 am Updated: 7:58 am.
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