Dennis Township Race: Murphy, Blessing vs. Grace, Calloway

DENNISVILLE –– Democratic incumbents Mayor John Murphy and Committeewoman Ruth Blessing are facing a challenge for their seats on the township governing body from Republicans Bob Grace, a former mayor, and Teri Calloway, a political newcomer.
The Incumbents
Blessing and Murphy see themselves as a balanced team. Blessing, a senior citizen, looks out for the older residents of the township, while Murphy, 46, takes care of the younger residents in the recreation department, they said.
“And we keep each other informed,” Murphy added.
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), a former Dennis Township mayor himself, said neither are typical politicians.
“They have every Democrat, Republican and Independent resident of the township in their heart,” he said. “They represent what I believe to be the epitome of ‘citizen legislators.’”
Blessing first took office in 1999 when she was appointed to her husband’s seat after he passed away in April of that year. She served in his place for one year and then ran successfully to complete the remaining two years of the term.
She served as mayor for several years until stepping down earlier this year placing the reigns of the township in Murphy’s hands.
Her current responsibilities on committee include senior programs and the Museum & History Center.
She’s proud of the many programs the township Senior Center offers including bus trips, crafts, ceramics, dancing, free meals, Nintendo Wii and more.
She said she also feels strongly about maintaining the township’s unique character.
Blessing said “we want to protect our rural character but we don’t want to be known as negative to business — the right kind of business.”
Murphy, 49, also began serving by appointment, having been named to finish Van Drew’s term in 2004.
Murphy comes from a family of citizen legislators. Both his father, the late Frank Murphy Sr. and his brother, Frank Jr., were elected to the committee and served as mayor in the 1980s.
Murphy, who works as a supervisor for South Jersey Gas, said he is most proud of being able to keep the township affordable for “regular people” by keeping the local purpose taxes the lowest in the county.
He said it is becoming more difficult due to increased salaries, insurance and pension contributions, but believes he and Blessing are the right team to keep taxes low for township residents.
He, like Blessing, attributes the township’s positive tax situation to smart, responsible spending and increased business ratables that have grown over their tenure in office.
One of the main challenges they face in coming years, Murphy said, is combating gypsy moth infestation in the township’s many wooded areas.
“This is a continuing problem that becomes more expensive each year,” he said. “This year, in addition to signing up for the state aerial spraying program, we plan to work with a private contractor to get a better rate for township residents who wish to have additional areas sprayed.”
Blessing and Murphy are asking voters to allow them the privilege of serving them on township committee for another term.
“We want to help keep Dennis Township on the list of best places to live in the state,” Murphy told Herald citing a ranking in New Jersey Magazine.
The Challengers
Republicans are looking to get a foot in the five-member committee, which has been entirely Democratic since Al DiCicco took Ed Beck’s seat last year.
“We have a well balanced ticket,” said township GOP leader Michael Donohue, who is himself running for state Assembly. “Bob is experienced and Teri is a fresh new face.”
According to campaign material, they are running on a platform that includes holding the line on taxes and spending, increased citizen participation in government and promoting business and tourism through a constituent-friendly Web site.
Grace, 64, is a life-long county resident and has lived in Dennisville for the past 43 years.
He served on township committee for nine years, of which five years were as mayor. He was also employed by the township as Director of Public Works for another five years and is a certified public works manager.
Grace is a retired Army officer, 31 years, and telephone man, 37 years.
He has also been involved in numerous civic and community groups including the Boy Scouts of America, United Methodist Church, Volunteer Fire Company, Board of Education, United Way, Masonic Lodge and AARP.
Grace met with the Herald last week and said he was offering his services to the township.
“People ask me who I’m running against, but I’m not ‘against’ anyone,” he said. “I just think I have the right experience to make a difference and do a better job.”
He said the township will be facing some important fiscal issues in upcoming months and his experience, both in township government and in the military, gives him the ability to make the tough decisions.
Increased pension contributions, insurance premiums and fuel costs were some of the problems the township would have to deal with soon, Grace said.
He also suggested committee members make too much money and thinks they should lead by example and take pay cuts.
“How can we expect residents to accept additional tax burdens unless we tighten our belts first,” he said.
Grace’s running mate, Calloway is an attorney and a recent addition to the Dennis Township community.
She works part-time with the county Health Department and the Public Defender’s Office. She also teaches a business course at Salem County College.
Calloway has worked in law offices in North Wildwood and Vineland and served as a law clerk in the Criminal Division of Superior Court under Judge Raymond Batten.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Widener University, a master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University and a law degree, also from Widener.
Calloway and her husband, Matt, moved to Ocean View five years ago and have two young children that attend Barbarito and Beyers Day Care at the township primary school.
This race was not her first attempt to gain a local office.
Calloway threw her hat in the ring for the school board position vacated by Larry Lapidus earlier this year, but Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown was chosen in her place and subsequently elected by voters in March.
She said she thinks her background, which includes managing personnel, dealing with budgets and writing grants, makes her an excellent choice for a position on township committee.
“I have 10 years experience in local, county and state government,” she told the Herald. “Through my academic and professional careers, I have prepared myself for public service.”
Calloway thinks the township needs to act fiscally responsible and look for alternative ways to finance increased expenses, she said.
“I will look for federal, state and private grants and be aggressive on every line item in the budget,” she promised.
She is also concerned that a large percentage of township residents don’t have a voice in their government.
“With all five current members being Democrats, there are no opposing viewpoints being expressed,” she said. “Nobody’s there to tell the other side.”
In the end, she like Grace isn’t really knocking anyone on the current committee. She just thinks she can do a better job.
“I want a Dennis Township to be proud of and raise my family in,” she said. “I’ll work hard every day to make sure that happens.”
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com