By Vanessa S. Holt, Managing Editor
The Register-News provided questionnaires to candidates running on the Democratic and Republican tickets in local municipal elections Nov. 4. Following are the responses from candidates received before the Register-News deadline this week.
Bordentown Township
Two three-year seats and one unexpired one-year seat are available on the Township Committee. Incumbent Republicans Bruce Hill and Robert Delaney will face Democrats Stephen Monson and Jason Medina for the three-year seats, and Republican Anita Di Mattia will face Democrat Jim Cann for the one-year seat.
Bruce Hill, 56, a Republican, is a resident of Mission Road.
He attended Hamilton High East. He has been on the Township Committee since 2003 and has served as mayor and deputy mayor.
He has also been a member of the township Planning Board and zoning board and is a liaison to the Township Veterans Advisory Committee.
Mr. Hill described the issues he has worked on as a committee member and ongoing issues that he said are important to the township:
“The Township Committee started revitalizing Routes 130 and Route 206 in 2001 after the Republicans obtained a majority on the committee. We created design standards and redevelopment zones along these highways to ensure that what is ultimately developed would make Bordentown Township easily recognizable along the corridor.
“This has come to fruition with Acme Commons at Bordentown Township, Alstarz Sports Pub, Chickies and Pete’s; additionally, we will soon have Team Campus at Bordentown Township that will replace the old Agway buildings with class A office space and a world class health and sports training facility.
“I will continue to maintain the quality of life for all residents of this township by having open meetings and most important listening to their comments and concerns.”
Robert Delaney, 32, a Republican, has lived in the township for eight years and resides on Alfred Drive.
He attended McCorristin Catholic High School and The College of New Jersey, where he received a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
He is a software infrastructure specialist. Mr. Delaney is a member of the Burlington County Workforce Investment Board, the board of directors, ACCO Princeton Federal Credit Union, a volunteer for the American Red Cross and a certified water safety instructor.
He has been on the committee since 2006 and is currently deputy mayor. He has served as liaison to the Planning Board, zoning board, code enforcement and emergency management.
“Improving the quality of life for the residents of Bordentown Township will continue to be my primary concern,” said Mr. Delaney. “Personally, I continue to remain committed to the youth of our community and adults with special needs through programs such as Project Lifesaver, our first Youth Police Academy, and encouraging our children to give back to the community with events such as the Spring Cleanup of Northern Community Park.
“As a result of continuous municipal aid cuts and the irresponsibility of our lawmakers in Trenton, Bordentown Township continues to develop creative ways to cuts costs while generating additional revenue through the implementation of shared services agreements in areas such as EMS services, the Public Works sign department, and merging courts with Bordentown City. I will remain committed to encouraging clean, commercial ratables which are attractive to our residents and neighbors. With regards to development, I will continue to implement the design standards which have been an integral part of the planning and development of sites such as Acme Commons and the Team Campus site which will replace the current Agway site.”
Anita Di Mattia, 33, a Republican, has lived in Bordentown Township for 33 years and currently lives on Georgetown Road.
She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has worked in the financial services industry for seven years, currently as an executive recruiter with Ajion Finance.
She was on the Bordentown Township zoning board for two years as secretary.
“If elected in November, I will continue to preserve open space, limit development, and run Bordentown Township more efficiently which is currently a priority now with the Township Committee,” Ms. Di Mattia said. “Being the newest member and the only woman on the Township Committee I will have a different perspective on topics that will affect our residents.”
Stephen Monson, 67, of Windingbrook Road, a Democrat, has lived in the township since September 2006. He previously lived in Fanwood, Union County for 38 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, an MBA in industrial and labor relations, from the University of California, Berkeley, and a juris doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.
He retired in April 2007 from the state Division of Criminal Justice, where he served as a deputy attorney general for 30 years.
Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked in business for Scholastic Magazines, Inc., and Grace Line Shipping and also taught high school mathematics in Southern Alameda County, Calif.
Issues he said he would concentrate on if elected include banning “pay to play,” having an open government and making the township “green.”
“The residents of our township need to be assured that vendors, individuals, companies and corporations offering professional services, as well as others such as developers are truly deserving of their business, job or approvals. Political contributions, whether to local political parties or county or state level political parties must be removed from the business of this township,” he said.
“Democrats are committed to an open and responsive government. All business of the township must be conducted openly and publically for all residents. All residents deserve to have their individual concerns, comments and complaints given respectful consideration,” he said.
“We need to encourage, not discourage, the ‘greening’ of our township,” Mr. Monson said. “All available grant resources must be explored to provide solar and other energy efficient products for use in our public buildings and vehicles. We need to pass ordinances to provide a tax moratorium for residents who make their home more energy efficient; and require all new construction, or remodeling to meet stringent energy efficiency standards.”
Jason Medina, 36, a Democrat, has lived on Windingbrook Road for over a year with his wife, Jennifer, and rat terrier, Roxi.
He has a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from New Jersey City University.
He is a school law attorney at the firm of Medina, Martinez & Castroll, LLC in Pennington, representing public and private school districts. He has served as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County, N.Y., as a Public Policy Fellow for a Washington D.C. based nonprofit organization; organized minority and student voter registration drives; and has been involved in many local, state, congressional and presidential campaigns.
He described the issues he said are important to the township:
“The Turnpike expansion is coming and will be here soon. I will ensure that the committee acts diligently and engages the Turnpike Authority in constructive negotiations for a sound abatement proposal satisfactory to all residents,” he said.
“There is a dire need for open government in our township,” Mr. Medina said. “Residents are not getting the information they deserve. I will push for the videotaping of public meetings; overhaul the township’s Web site; and develop citizen committees on important issues.”
“The revitalization of commercial development along the Route 130 and 206 corridor is well under way,” he continued. “I will fight to improve the aesthetics of commercial development and quality of life of residents by advocating for the use of ‘green building’ technologies and designs on all current and future development proposals.”
Finally, he said he wanted to “ensure fairness in the awarding of contracts for commercial development and other services; I will propose passage of a comprehensive pay-to-play ordinance.”
James Cann, 58, a Democrat, has lived in the township for 24 years.
He has served as a member of the zoning board and was elected by board members to be chairman as well as secretary.
He attended Wilmington College in Ohio and Middle Tennessee State University, where he majored in biology.
He is a partner in a real estate appraisal business. He and his wife of 33 years, Carole, an elementary school teacher in Pemberton Township, have two daughters, Laura and Erin, both graduates of Bordentown Regional High School.
He has coached youth football and wrestling, and was assistant coach and manager of the Bordentown Fireballs girls soccer team. He also coached Bordentown Community Soccer teams and was co-director of Bordentown Thanksgiving soccer tournament for four years, and is coach of a BCSA mini ball soccer team. He is a member of the Sierra Club and GreenPeace.
“I believe that anyone running for elective office should be concerned with holding the line on our taxes and if possible providing tax relief for its citizens,” Mr. Cann said. “I will endeavor to provide tax relief through more efficient use of current resources, as well as uncovering any wasteful spending. I would like to have a task force…to actively search for tax saving ideas.”
Mr. Cann said he believes the governor’s program to have consolidation of services with neighboring municipalities is a good idea and said he believes “more can be done” in Bordentown.
“The township needs to active seek ways to ‘green’ the township buildings and vehicles,” he said. “We need to encourage our commercial property owners as well as residence to make their buildings more energy efficient. An ordinance to not tax energy efficient improvements to buildings could be used as an incentive.
“It is imperative that the township committee has representation for all its citizens, and I promise to be an independent voice on the committee. I am committed to doing what is best for Bordentown. I am not beholden to any special interest group, and believe a strict “pay to play” ordinance should be enacted. I believe our most important duty is providing a quality education to our children and insuring the safety of all our citizens.”
Chesterfield
One three-year seat is available on the Township Committee. Incumbent Republican Lawrence H. Durr will not have a challenger on the Democratic ticket.
Lawrence H. Durr, 58, a Republican, is an Old York Road resident and has lived in the township for over 50 years.
He is a retired farmer and owner of a water delivery business.
He has served on the Township Committee for 18 years and also has served on the zoning board, Joint Land Use Board and Burlington County Agricultural Development Board.
The issues he said he would focus on, if re-elected, are:
Continuing to oversee the development of Old York Village as planned in the Master Plan; working to develop and implement the Township Recreation Area; continuing to keep Chesterfield’s local purpose tax low and improving emergency services.
“We need to improve our Emergency Service response and fairly distribute the costs of this service,” Mr. Durr said. “I have been a supporter of combining our two fire districts and the First Aid Squad for some time.
“This can only be done with the cooperation and support from both fire district commissioners or by public petition. I have supported studies that confirm the theory would provide superior service at a more economical price. The current arrangement has many gaps in coverage and is not funded fairly. We must fully cover the gaps in service at an affordable price that is equal for all residents.”
Fieldsboro
Two three-year seats are available on the Borough Council, with incumbent Democrats David Hansell and Harry Brown running unopposed. No candidate profile questionnaires from these candidates were received before the Register-News’ deadline.
Mansfield
Two three-year seats will be open on the Township Committee, with Republican incumbents Arthur Puglia and Kenneth Denti running unopposed. No candidate profile questionnaires from these candidates were received before the Register-News’ deadline.
New Hanover
Four candidates seek two three-year seats on the Township Committee. Two Republican incumbents, George Ivins and Paul Peterla, will face two newcomers, Democrats Salvatore Schiano, Jr., and Michael C. Hill, Jr. No candidate profile questionnaires were received before the Register-News deadline.
North Hanover
One three-year seat is open on the Township Committee. Incumbent Republican Lou DeLorenzo will face Democrat Kim South.
Louis DeLorenzo, 58, a Republican, has lived in the township for 26 years and resides on Jacobstown-Arneytown Road.
He owns DeLorenzo Fuel Oil, providing home heating, and is a farmer, raising beef cattle and summer crops.
He has served for five years on the township zoning board and five years on the Land Use board and has served nearly six years on the Township Committee. He was mayor in 2004 and 2007.
“I will continue working to defend our township’s rural character and keep our wonderful country lifestyle intact,” he said regarding his goals if re-elected.
“Farmland preservation and our country lifestyle are always in the forefront of my efforts. I will also work to keep our taxes low, and fight our state government’s out of control taxing of small communities like us.”
Kim South, 55, a Democrat, is a lifelong resident and resides on Chesterfield-Arneytown Road.
Retired from 35 years with the Roofers Local 30, Philadelphia, he is a field supervisor for WTI/Tremco Company, overseeing projects for federal, state and school districts. “I put emphasis on communication, safety and making sure projects are completed on time and at cost,” he said.
He is a freemason since 1995 and had donated time for roofing projects for needy citizens and has volunteered with boys and girls clubs and the Elks.
“Personally, the only thing I can do in these trying times is not to accept any medical benefits from the taxpayers of North Hanover, which is approximately $12,000 a year. It is paramount to maintain our rural character and charm; most people live here for that reason.
“I would accomplish this by not using the open space trust fund for general township expenditures. Last year $139,838 was used for expenditures it wasn’t intended for. No open space or farms were preserved by the incumbents. We’re encountering higher local and couny taxes with school budget increases every year. These things coupled with our 54 percent increase are affecting the quality of life for the families and seniors in our community. The only thing I can do to start with, is monitor and report to the township what the current committee is doing with our tax dollars.”
Springfield
In Springfield, two four-year seats will be open on the Township Council, with Democrat newcomer Roger Lord running against Republicans John Hlubik and David Frank.
John Hlubik, 57, a Republican is a lifelong township resident. He graduated from Northern Burlington County Regional High School and attended Burlington County Community College for a year. He is a lifelong farmer.
Mr. Hlubik has served on the Springfield Township Planning Board for the past six years, as well as the Burlington County Agriculural Development Committee for the past four years.
“Springfield Township has been very active in preserving farmland, and if I am elected I will contiue maintain the rural character of the township,” he said. “It’s what we here in the township have been trying to accomplish, and I think we have been very successful so far in doing that.”
Dave Frank, 44, a Republican, is seeking re-election to a four-year term.
He is an attorney whose practice focuses on land use, real estate transactions, and land preservation. He attended Springfield Township Elementary School, Princeton High School, Tulane University (where he received a bachelor’s degree in history) and received law degree from Rutgers-Camden Law School.
He has served as treasurer of the Springfield Township Historical Society, is a member and past-president of the Wrightstown Area Rotary Club, is treasurer of the Burlington County Board of Agriculture and member of the board of directors of the Burlington County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
He is the solicitor for land use boards in Wrightstown, Florence, Tabernacle and New Hanover, and has been special counsel for land preservation and agricultural matters in several other towns.
Mr. Frank said state mandates make it challenging for a municipality to remain compliant while maintaining services.
“We have a very bare bones budget already in Springfield, so there’s no longer much, if anything, to cut or shift to other purposes. Like all New Jersey towns, we suffer with the statewide structural problem of over-reliance on local property taxes. We cannot grow ourselves into fatter budgets or lower tax rates. Look around, the towns that have had significant development do not have lower tax rates, but they do suffer from a diminishing quality of life. The best, most cost-effective means of stabilizing taxes for the long-term is careful budgeting, sound planning to manage our growth, and continued preservation of land and farms.
“Since the 2000 election my fellow councilmen and I have been elected and re-elected under the banner of “Preserving Springfield.” We have been very effective in preserving farmland and open space, and in holding down taxes. In the climate fostered by our administration during these past eight years, thousands of acres have been permanently protected in Springfield through state, county and our own local efforts. While our neighbors had a development boom that has gone bust, we’ve had a preservation boom that will last forever. We’ve done a lot, but there is still more to do.”
A candidate profile questionnaire was not received from Mr. Lord before the Register-News’ deadline.

