Candidate’s Son Offers a View from the Inside

To The Editor:
As many people have for the past few months, I have also visited the Cape May County Herald website and taken the time to read the postings surrounding the current race for Middle Township Committee. The postings and letters range from very positive to the very negative regarding, my father, and candidate Mike Voll. As a person very familiar with the process in Middle Township, since I grew up in it, I felt it would be a disservice to both my father and the people of Middle Township, if I did not try to give an inside look at the former mayor and current candidate.
Now, of course people are going to read this and immediately think “this is biased” or “who cares what Mike Voll’s son has to say?” Well, that is their prerogative and certainly their opinion if that is what they choose to believe. However, rather than slinging mud or putting the other candidate down without having good reason to do so, I wish to provide my experience and insight.
Susan Atkinson-DeLanzo is probably a great person, I have no doubt, so I have no reason to bash her or put her candidacy down in any way. But, what I will do is provide the residents of Middle Township the view of Mike Voll when he was on Middle Township Committee in the past.
It has been approximately 10 years since Mike Voll was last on Middle Township Committee, so many folks may not remember what they had with him. I certainly do. I lived through it. So, here is just a small reminder. There was not a day that went by without our home phone ringing and a person on the other end asking for “the mayor” or “Mike” to help them in some way. These calls would come at all hours of the day and night. The reasons would range from complaints about township service(s), to a resident who may have been grieving the very recent loss of a loved one.
People knew the type of caring and compassionate man that they had in office, and they certainly knew how to reach him. Do you how they knew how to reach him whenever they needed him? It is simple. They just needed a phone book. When they looked up Michael Voll, they didn’t get an unpublished number or a phone number that goes straight to a recorded message. They got, in bold face type: Michael Voll – mayor, with our home phone number and address directly next to it.
This gave the residents of Middle Township direct access to our home phone, and they certainly did use it whenever they felt the need. And, no matter when it was, dad took the call and would immediately address the persons question or concern. We could be sitting down to have dinner and a call would come. It did not matter. He put the residents first and served them admirably. How many elected officials will give you such access? Not too many, if there are any at all. Now, times have changed, and cell phones are the norm. So, what has my father done now? He has made his cell phone number accessible as well. In fact, if you go to www.mikevoll.com, you will clearly see it listed right next to the same home phone number we have had my entire life.
My father did what he felt was right and would always put the people of Middle Township first. He took great pride in helping Middle Township be the “Clean, Safe, and Caring Family Community” that it is. He took what was supposed to be a “part-time” position, and embraced it as a “full-time responsibility.” By this point in his life, I had hoped that dad would take it easy and not have an interest in jumping back into the political arena. But, he feels strongly that it is his responsibility to help where he thinks he can. Therefore, I ask that you come out in support of my father, Mike Voll, for Middle Township Committee on Nov. 2.
MICHAEL J. VOLL JR.
Vineland