Letters to the Editor

Letter: Why do Republicans Refuse to Debate?

A Democratic supporter suggests the Republican council candidates turned down the Democrats' debate offer because they don't have much of a record to stand on.

To the editor: Debating the issues, in front of voters, is a time-honored tradition in American politics. Voters want to make informed decisions, and debates are always an effective means to help voters make the right decisions on how to use their voting power. Most recently, the three presidential debates in 2012 were watched by tens of millions of voters eager to hear directly from the candidates. In Moorestown, debates have always been part of this tradition. On our ballot for Nov. 6, there are contests for president, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, Burlington County Freeholders, Moorestown Township Council and the Moorestown Board of Education. All of these races, with one exception, have had at least one public and…

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mtwnres

2:04 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012

"How does Moorestown attract such losers?" I ask myself the same question every time I read something you post.   more ›

CORRECTION: GOP Outraising, Outspending Democrats in Council Race

There's a wide financial chasm between the Republicans and Democrats running for Moorestown council, but both parties say it's not about the money.

CORRECTION: The joint committee report for the Newcomer-Sattinger-Hines team shows the candidates have raised a total of $7,245—$3,325 from contributions of $300 or less, and $3,920 from contributions exceeding $300—and includes an itemized list of several of their donors. The 29-day pre-election report also indicates the candidates have spent $4,870 (as of Oct. 12), all of it on advertising, including with Patch. Patch apologizes for the errors included in the prior version of this story.  _________________________ As of earlier this month, the Republican candidates for Moorestown council had out-fundraised their Democratic counterparts by almost 3 to 1 and outspent them by a 5-to-1 margin, according to campaign finance reports. According…

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Sen. Diane Allen Endorses Republican Council Candidates

The Republican candidates have also been endorsed by their GOP cohorts on the Burlington County freeholder board.

Republican town council candidates Phil Garwood, Victoria Napolitano and Pete Palko picked up an endorsement from Moorestown native and District 7 Senator Diane Allen this week. In a letter from Allen, she wrote, “The Garwood, Napolitano and Palko team have a real plan to keep Moorestown’s taxes in check, eliminate government waste and be responsive to the needs of their constituents. Their team supports protecting and building on Moorestown’s robust open space program, and will fight to protect and preserve the many natural treasures that this town has to offer.” She added, “Phil, Victoria and Pete are committed to reviving Moorestown’s local business districts from Main Street to Camden Avenue, and will restore this town’s economic …

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Candidates Lay Out Ideas for Improving Moorestown Business Climate

The candidates for township council stopped by the Moorestown Business Association to explain the variety of ways they could help new and existing businesses in town.

Both the Republican and Democratic candidates for township council visited with local businesses at the Moorestown Business Association (MBA) meeting Wednesday and were given the chance to explain how they would improve the business climate in Moorestown. The candidates—with the exception of Republican candidate Phil Garwood, who was unable to attend the meeting—offered various strategies for how to aid the revitalization of the township’s business districts, ranging from the hiring of a Main Street manager to the streamlining of regulations through the use of technology. What follows is a summary of each of the candidates’ views: Brian Sattinger (Democratic candidate) “What we’ve been hearing a lot is complaints about difficulties (with …

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Freddie

10:29 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

What vacancies? Have you people actually been to Main St? There are virually no vacancies. Two or three with businesses moving in. It's a thre block, two traffic light long town, pretty, clean and busy. This is simply not a big problem.   more ›

Freeholders Endorse Republican Council Candidates

All five of the Burlington County freeholders gave the nod to the Moorestown GOP candidates.

The Republican candidates for township council picked up a major endorsement this week, with all five Burlington County freeholders throwing their support behind the ticket. “As freeholders, we have proudly served as advocates of the county property taxpayer and voices for our county's citizens,” the freeholders said in a joint statement. “We have cut county property taxes, reduced county spending and provided grants to local towns to build and expand local parks and recreation areas throughout the county. We believe Phil (Garwood), Victoria (Napolitano) and Pete (Palko) will bring that same fiscally responsible approach to Moorestown." Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said he was “proud” to be running on the same ticket with the GOP …

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What Do You Want to Ask the Candidates?

Moorestown Patch wants to know: What would you like to ask the candidates for township council?

Whoever gets elected to township council in November willl have their work cut out for them. Moorestown, like many towns, is faced with a multitude of complicated issues and challenges, and it will be up to the next council to tackle them.  Patch is planning on conducting video interviews with both tickets in the township council race, and we want to know what you'd like us to ask them. What are the most important issues facing the township? Do you want to know how they plan to keep expenses down and hold the line on taxes? Would you like to know where they stand on the use of the Open Space Trust Fund? Or what their plan is for revitalizing downtown? Is there a more obscure—but no less important—issue you think hasn't gotten enough …

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sml352

9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

I agree mtwnres. I grew up in a town where trash removal was not included in taxes. Every homeowner had to pay and they only took 2 trashcans a week and anything over that required a separate payment. I think our current trash service is great.   more ›

Under the Radar

A Marked Man

Our columnist takes a closer look at Democratic council candidate Mark Hines—where he (and his running mates) stand on the issues, and how he feels about his detractors.

Our neighborhood has changed dramatically in the last few years, as houses have sold and younger families have moved in. The cul-de-sacs are once again filled with wagons, toys, tricycles and the sounds of children playing. The joyous sounds of unstructured playtime drift my way in the late afternoon, reminding me of when my boys were young, shooting hoops out front or organizing the other kids for a pre-dusk game of "jail break."   Games from my childhood are lost now: Mother May I?, Freeze Tag, Red Light/Green Light, even Jacks and jump rope have been stashed in the past. One game lives on, though: rock, paper, scissors. I was thinking about this the other day, reminding myself that paper covers rock, rock trumps scissors, scissors cut …

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Letters to the Editor

Moorestown GOP Candidates Pledge Accessibility If Elected

In a "constituent relations pledge," Republican candidates Phil Garwood, Victoria Napolitano and Pete Palko lay out a plan for making town council more open.

To the editor: We believe government works for the people and not the other way around. To that end, we have pledged to strengthen the relationship between the taxpayers of Moorestown and the individuals they elect to town council and increase our accessibility to the public. As council members, we pledge to: Hold regular constituent relations “office hours” at the Moorestown Library or other public buildings We pledge to have members of council set aside time outside of town council meetings to hear from constituents one-on-one, answer their concerns, and receive their feedback in a more personal, private setting. Host yearly community meetings in all 20 voting districts of Moorestown Our team will spend time hosting doughnut and coffee …

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GOP: 'No Question' Button Departure Is Good for Party

But the Democratic candidates for Moorestown council aren't buying into that theory.

  And then there were two. Following the exit of Mayor John Button and his ticket from the council race, the field is back to Republicans vs. Democrats, and both tickets responded to the news of the third-party departure with confidence. “It’s a good thing for Republicans … There’s no question about it,” said Republican Committee chairman Steve Solomon, who said Button’s departure “definitely” plays to the GOP’s advantage. “We’re going to reunify ourselves now. All the divisive stuff is behind us, and that can only mean good things for the town,” said Solomon. Some, including members of the Republican Party, had theorized Button’s candidacy would peel off GOP voters, thus making a Democratic victory far more likely. Democratic candidate …

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Letters to the Editor

Republicans Laud Council for Progress on Major Projects

After council approved three major capital projects—including town hall—last night, the Republican candidates for council give them a pat on the back.

To the editor: Our team applauds the five members of town council for their willingness to put aside their past differences and come together in the spirit of community to address a number of our town’s most pressing issues. Moorestown has waited five years to see movement on the town hall project, and we are glad to see that the members of council realize that our citizens have waited long enough. As our team has been knocking on doors and meeting voters, we have heard many of them express a strong desire to see town hall back in the center of Moorestown where it belongs. We are grateful to see that the members of council agree. In addition, we are encouraged by the efforts of council on the Wesley Bishop improvement debate. We hope this…

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