By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Candidates for the Township Committee were asked this week to name two personal characteristics that distinguished them in the field of five.
Candidate Susan Gulliford chose her history of educating the public, as well as her political independence, separated her from the field.
Democrat Ann Harris selected “innovative leadership” and “creative problem solving.” Her running mate, Laurie Poppe, chose “analytical and collaborative.
Republican incumbent Carl Suraci said the two that distinguished him were “decision quality” and “trust and integrity.” His running mate, Greg Burchette, thought his experience and tenacity, in business and government, made him stand out.
In the Nov. 3 election, township voters will select two of the five to serve three-year terms.
Mr. Suraci said he had made decisions “based upon a well-balanced mixture of analysis, experience, and judgment. I believe that most of those decisions (policies, personnel, budgetary, etc.) have proven to be correct when judged over time.”
“There is nothing more important to me, as an elected official, than to be viewed as someone who is widely trusted by those I humbly serve,” he said. “The only way to earn such trust is to serve with 100 percent integrity.”
Mr. Burchette pointed to his decision to personally take up the challenge to build and execute the Shop Hillsborough awards program. Residents can use the card to receive discounts at participating businesses, and receive a credit reducing local property taxes. Stores gain added customers.
“Presently, we have 90 participating businesses and taxpayers have earned more than $47,000 towards reducing their property tax bills. It took over a year to get the program funded and established, all at no cost to our citizens. We can now be proud that the Shop Hillsborough program has been copied by many towns across the state, but our program continues to be the most successful,” he said.
Ms. Harris cited her years as a 4-H leader, on Hillsborough’s Sustainable Steering Committee, Strategic Planning Committee for Hillsborough’s School District as examples of her leadership.
Ms. Harris said, “Being a leader requires vision, organization skills and persistence to help implement programs and projects, providing assistance to insure success and allowing others to be heard and recognized for their accomplishments and contributions. When successful implementations of the group are shared, everyone feels the synergistic effects of meeting township goals.”
Ms. Poppe, who is an attorney and a certified mediator and a therapist, said she was trained “to research complex issues and to present solutions to juries, judges, and clients in ways that are easily understood and sensible.”
She said, “I have an ability to resolve difficult matters in a way that best represents the goals, values and interests of the parties, and to seek commonality in these instead of focusing on the differences. I am trained to listen deeply and to ask questions that lead me to an understanding of the entire matter at hand.”
Ms. Gulliford pointed to 30 years of “countless hours researching information, reviewing township files, laws, and history, and attending hundreds of Township Committee, Planning Board and other commission meetings to become an informed resident.”
She said she has kept residents informed though personal contact, blogs and Facebook pages.
“These traits provide me with the ability to take a seat on the Township Committee being completely prepared at a high level of detail,” said Ms. Gulliford. “I am confident that my knowledge compares favorably to all my opponents. I am the only candidate who is independent, not answering to a political party, guaranteeing that I serve only the public.”
Editor’s note: The full responses of the five will be posted at hillsboroughbeacon.com.
