Middle Township Chamber Meets Candidates

BURLEIGH – The Middle Township Chamber of Commerce held a Meet the Candidates night Oct. 16 at the Shore Club. The event included candidates for Congress, the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Middle Township Committee and the Middle Township School Board.  
House of Representatives
The evening began with six candidates running for retiring U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo’s seat in Congress. District 2 encompasses all of Cape May County along with all or portions of eight other South Jersey counties. The district was last redrawn in 2011.
Candidates for the seat include state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (Democrat), former Atlantic City Councilman Seth Grossman (Republican), along with four independents; John Ordille (Libertarian), William Benfer (Together We Can), Anthony Parisi Sanchez (Cannot Be Bought) and Steven Fenichel (Time for Truth).
The candidates had an opportunity for opening and closing statements and were asked to respond to questions concerning their views on the Second Amendment, the accomplishments they would most like to have as a first-term congressman, how they would respond to the threat of climate change, and whether or not they support congressional term limits.
Van Drew
Van Drew offered himself as a candidate who has shown an ability to work across party lines, something he promised to continue in a highly-politicized Congress.
Van Drew listed a number of issues confronting whoever takes the seat, ranging from saving Social Security to maintaining access to health care for those with preconditions.
Yet, his theme for the evening was the behavior of those in political life and a need to change that behavior in order to find solutions to the issues that cause the nation to struggle.  
Van Drew defended the Second Amendment, citing his gun ownership, while urging “common sense” controls like a “good system of universal background checks” and a process that ensures responsible right-to-carry laws.
He said he does not support term limits. He indicated that his highest priority in Congress is bipartisan action on critical issues. On climate change, he emphasized a near-term need to build for resiliency and a longer-term need to encourage cost-effective alternative renewable energy.
Grossman
Grossman said the election was about “walking away from the Democrats.” He emphasized the state debt levels and encouraged voters to reject the $500 million education bond ballot issue.
Stating that this is not “a normal time” in our political life, Grossman criticized the “disgusting attacks on Judge (Brett) Kavanaugh” and the “hatred” which led to presidential press secretary Sarah Sanders being “abused” in a restaurant. He placed an emphasis on the need for a solid Republican Congress.
On the Second Amendment, Grossman urged support for concealed-carry laws and a national reciprocity program for carrying guns across state lines to protect tourists who visit states with more restrictive laws.
Grossman stated that security is enhanced when more citizens are armed. He stated his belief that there is no climate crisis and thus no need for special action. Citing the melting of glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, Grossman indicated that flood waters are a natural phenomenon. Regardless of his position on the cause of rising seas, Grossman stated no position on a need for resiliency efforts in shore communities. 
Grossman stated that his most important issue was immigration and the need to build the wall along the Mexican border. He also expressed support for reducing the levels of legal immigration. He indicated support for congressional term limits.
Ordille
Ordille presented himself as a champion of libertarian principals which he said included getting government out of the lives of ordinary Americans. His governing goals are peace, prosperity, liberty, and freedom, all of which are best secured by limiting the scope of government. 
He promised to work to “take government out of your lives and to lower taxes even more.” He urged voters to believe “that libertarian principles will work.”
Ordille offered “full support for the Second Amendment” and both open and conceal-carry laws. The emphasis should be on protecting “soft targets” like schools and not on restricting gun rights, he said. 
A major issue for Ordille is taking marijuana off Schedule I so that it can be used medically in the place of addicting pills. “If we legalize it down the road, I would support that as well,” he said.
Ordille’s solution for the climate crisis is to “get the government out of it” and “invite the market in.” For Ordille “innovation comes from a free market.” He indicated support for term limits.
Fenichel
Fenichel, a physician, stated that he is running to take “dark money” out of politics and to support access to affordable health care.
He stated his belief that if either major party candidate is elected, the real winner is the hidden donor class. Calling this a critical point in time, Fenichel argued that “people have to wake up” and demand that politicians serve their interests.
On the Second Amendment, Fenichel said that only two countries regard gun ownership as a right rather than a privilege, the United States and Yemen.
He sees no need for citizens to own “high-powered firearms,” supports better screening for permits and calls for “strong federal laws” on gun restrictions in order to enforce consistency across state lines.
Fenichel stated his passion for health care as a human right, adding his belief that we will only solve the healthcare crisis when we get “dark money” out of politics.
Necessary steps on climate change are also impeded, Fenichel said, by groups like Americans for Prosperity which he called a front for the Koch Brothers.  Fenichel supports term limits.
Benfer
Benfer said he could not run as a Democrat or a Republican because his signature plan for this South Jersey district has aspects that both major parties would reject.
He called for returning manufacturing to the region through a concentration on the “manufacturing of renewal energy products.” Benfer cited jobs and economic development as the primary issue confronting the district. He referred to his “five-point plan” for “green” manufacturing as a solution. He said details on his plan are available on his website.
Benfer said the Second Amendment is “important” but that “we need to be smart about it.” He said he feels that New Jersey gun control laws are fair. Benfer’s issue all evening was the state of the district’s economy. 
“The ROI on South Jersey is not good,” he said. “People do not want to invest here,” he added. On climate change, Benfer again returned to his emphasis on green energy alternatives. He supports term limits for Congress.
Parisi Sanchez
Parisi Sanchez split his time between stating his political case and attacking the major party candidates, especially Van Drew, who, he said, is responsible for Parisi Sanchez’s “illegal” incarceration in the county jail when he previously ran for office. 
Parisi Sanchez urged voters to turn to independents rather than support either major party, both of which, he said, are controlled by party bosses.
Parisi Sanchez expressed support for the Second Amendment but called for “modifications” that would reduce the number of automatic weapons.
His main issue was the need for campaign finance reform and the influence of “power brokers” in our political life. While Parisi Sanchez called climate change “a fact,” he did not offer specifics on actions needed to combat it. Parisi Sanchez did express support for term limits.
Freeholder
Two candidates for freeholder were scheduled to present their views, but only one, Jeremiah Scheneman (Democrat) participated and took questions.
The other candidate, Leonard Desiderio (Republican), was present for a meet-and-greet prior to the event, but said he had a conflicting engagement which prevented his participation in the forum. Desiderio is seeking reelection to the freeholder board where he is vice director.
Scheneman
Scheneman stated his priorities as protecting the working class residents of the county. He expressed concern about rising taxes that place many in the county in precarious financial positions.
He described himself as “not a party guy,” Scheneman argued that the county does not do enough to help its own distressed citizens. He cited the lack of a homeless shelter and the ineffectiveness of the existing voucher program.
Scheneman called for greater transparency in county government and the need for change on the Board of Chosen Freeholders that has long been dominated by one party.
One attendee questioned what Scheneman would do to respond to the growing position of Middle Township as a “hub” for social services; a process the questioner said is making the “township a dumping ground for the state.” 
Scheneman responded with a discussion of the need for positions in county schools that would help young people with a variety of issues that can otherwise lead to addiction and unemployment.
Urging voters to stop “electing the same person over and over again,” Scheneman called for greater transparency in county spending, an emphasis on opioid addiction and an end to wasteful spending.
During the time that Desiderio was at the event prior to the formal presentations, he stated his belief that two of the major issues confronting the county are the opioid addiction problem and the need to build on the economic development efforts at the county airport.
He stated his belief that the freeholder board needed to provide full support to law enforcement as a means of confronting the drug problem that plagues many areas of the county. Desiderio said he was running on his record.
Middle Township Committee
Two candidates are seeking one seat on the township committee. Deputy Mayor Jeff DeVico (Democrat) is seeking re-election for a second term and he is opposed by Theron “Ike” Gandy (Republican).
Gandy
Gandy cited his previous role as a behind-the-scenes, “boots on the ground,” Republican campaign worker as he spoke of his first formal run for office. He stated his priority as control over spending and a return to a no tax increase budget in the township.
Gandy presented himself as a life-long resident of the township, growing up in Green Creek and attending township schools.
Responding to a question, Gandy said he wanted “full transparency” in the budget process, promising that taxpayers would know the specifics if taxes ever did have to be raised. 
Admitting that he does not yet know a great deal about the municipal budget, Gandy said he was not yet in a position to give specifics on how he would maintain the tax rate.
Responding to a question on the need for noise barriers for some neighborhoods impacted by changes on the Garden State Parkway, Gandy expressed sympathy but did not support using township funds for the purpose.
DeVico
DeVico also placed emphasis on his township roots, and on his service as a police officer and his role as a local business owner. In his first term, DeVico says he was an individual who showed he could reach “across the aisle” and work with Republican Timothy Donohue “to get things done.”
DeVico recalled his first year on township committee as a year of no tax increase. 
He added that he soon came to the conclusion that the years of flat tax rates had been at the expense of any surplus in the budget. “They used all of our surplus,” he said, adding that this left the township vulnerable to unexpected increases in mandated expenses like pensions and health insurance. 
DeVico argued that “maintenance increases” in the tax rate are necessary in order to keep up with rising costs. 
On the question of noise barriers on the parkway, DeVico said that was not a township issue. He advocated having the township aid in bringing the concern to the attention of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
In closing, DeVico reiterated his roots in the township and promised to continue to make decisions that he feels are best for his “township family.”
Gandy admitted a need to learn more about specifics of the municipal government and budget, promised 110 percent effort and said of DeVico ”he had his shot for three years.”
Middle Township School Board
There are four candidates for three positions on the Middle Township School Board. Only three of them attended the Chamber event: Kimberly Krauss, Stephanie Thomas, and Edward Dagney. David McCarty was unable to attend.
Krauss
Krauss said she had never sought public office and admitted that she was not an educator. She is running for a seat because she has two young children in the school system and wants to get involved in ensuring that their experience, and the experience of all of the township’s children, is one that equips them well for life.
Krauss is the Middle Township Clerk and Assistant Business Administrator, roles which she said have provided her with experience and talents that would be valuable on the school board.
“I am not running to change specific things the board is doing,” she said.  “I am running because I think I can add value,” she said.
Krauss told of how impressed she was with a presentation on students in STEM education programs which emphasize science and technology. 
For her that is an area that needs extra focus if students are to be job ready in the 21st century.
Thomas
Thomas is seeking reelection to the board. She cited a belief in the transformative power of education. She spoke of her own children who went through the school system.
“I want to ensure that each generation of children can do better than the last,” a process that she believes starts with education.
Thomas said the school district needs to better market the many opportunities that it offers, citing the fact that the district is in the school Choice Program. 
She listed many programs that give students a jump start on college through focused academies, AP (advanced placement) courses, and arrangements with post-secondary institutions.
Dagney
Dagney is seeking re-election to the board. Like the others, he had children who went through the township schools. Dagney talked of the bond issue voters approved which allowed the district to invest in needed infrastructure. 
Dagney emphasized that it is not the role of the board to run the school system but rather to ensure that it is run efficiently and effectively.
Dagney took pride in the many extra-curricular options that are available to students. Proud of his record of service, he wants to continue his efforts to improve the school experience for township children.
Despite the emphasis on property taxes in the discussion with candidates for Middle Township Committee and Freeholder, no candidate for school board and no question from the audience touched on the issue of the school tax rate which is the largest single portion of the overall property tax.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.