It's crucial that you know my views on the issues that directly affect our community before you decide if I’ve earned your vote. Voting is one of the most significant ways you can shape our future, and you deserve a leader who shares your values and priorities. I believe in transparency, accountability, and open dialogue. I want you to feel confident that my decisions will always prioritize our community's best interests. By understanding where I stand, you can trust that I’ll work hard to address our challenges and lead with integrity. Your trust matters, and I’m here to earn it. Below are my answers to questions submitted by Haddonfield Today.

Q.01 – BIO: Please provide key biographical details (up to 150 words).

I’ve been proud to call Haddonfield home for the past 25 years, where my wife Kate and I have raised our three children—Meggie, Jack, and Patrick—with a deep commitment to service and community. As the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at the Wharton School, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape future business leaders. I’m excited to bring that same passion for excellence to my campaign for Commissioner.

My dedication to Haddonfield runs deep. I served three terms on the Board of Education, where I worked to support our schools and our children's future. I’ve also been deeply involved in several local boards and non-profits, including the Haddonfield Civic Association and the Haddonfield Educational Trust. I’m running for Commissioner to ensure that Haddonfield continues to thrive for generations to come, and I’m committed to positively impacting our community’s future.

Q.02 – QUALIFICATIONS: Why do you believe you are qualified to serve (a) as a commissioner and (b) as the director of revenue and finance?

I am uniquely qualified to serve as Commissioner and Director of Revenue and Finance due to my extensive experience managing large budgets and making critical financial decisions. In my current role as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Wharton, I am responsible for overseeing a yearly budget of over $8 million, managing a team of 32 employees, and making strategic operational and capital investment decisions for an institution that has been in existence since 1741 and will continue long after I am gone. This long-term perspective has given me a deep appreciation for making decisions that serve the present and future.

During my three terms on the Haddonfield Board of Education, I spent two years as the finance committee chair, where I helped develop and oversee the execution of a yearly budget exceeding $37 million. I understand that public financing is not about making profits but about making decisions that will impact future generations. The long-term effects of spending decisions made today must be taken into consideration.

With my combined experience in the public and private sectors, I am well-equipped to oversee Haddonfield’s revenue and finance department. I have a proven track record of managing comparable budget sizes and understanding the long-term implications of financial decisions. I am eager to apply this expertise to ensure our town’s financial health and stability for years to come.

Q.03 – CHALLENGES: What are the biggest challenges Haddonfield faces?

Haddonfield is currently facing several significant challenges that will shape its future. The biggest issue is the development of the Bancroft parcel / Woodmont project, which includes 120 rental and affordable units. While we need to fulfill our legally required affordable housing obligations, we must carefully consider how these developments will impact our infrastructure, schools, and the character of our town.

Stormwater management is another critical issue. We’ve seen increased flooding and lawsuits related to these concerns, and we need a comprehensive plan to address them, protecting residents and our community from long-term environmental and financial damage.

Our downtown is the heart of Haddonfield; keeping it vibrant is essential. We must support our local businesses, especially as they face economic pressures and competition from larger retail hubs. Additionally, rising costs and increased borrowing due to property acquisitions and maintenance are putting stress on our budget, and we need responsible financial planning to ensure the town’s long-term fiscal health.

We can’t ignore the concerns about crime, both real and perceived. Public safety must remain a priority, and we must work closely with law enforcement and the community to ensure Haddonfield remains a safe place to live. I am ready to address these challenges by fostering smart development, prioritizing infrastructure improvements, supporting local businesses, leveraging our Public Safety experts, and ensuring responsible fiscal management.

Q.04 – ISSUES: What are three key issues you’d like to focus on, if elected?

One key issue I’m particularly passionate about is restoring trust in our local government. Over the past year, I’ve seen public trust erode, and rebuilding that trust is no small task. From my experience serving on the school board, I’ve learned how difficult it is to regain trust once it’s been lost and how easily it can be broken. My goal is to bring civil discourse back into our decision-making process, ensuring that we work together respectfully and transparently.

Over the first few months, I will work to gain a deeper understanding of our town's issues. While some matters, such as the Bancroft development, are time-sensitive and will require immediate attention, I believe it’s crucial to take the time to listen, learn, and collaborate with the other commissioners, residents, and town administrators to prioritize our most pressing needs.

Stormwater problems, our downtown, and our public safety are all important for Haddonfield. Still, as Commissioner, I would work closely with my colleagues to align our priorities and create a unified approach that best serves our community. Trust, collaboration, and transparency will be at the heart of everything I do.

Q.05 – POLICING: A community group is donating funds to the Police Department to purchase automated license-plate readers that will be used to record data about vehicles entering Haddonfield. The move is in direct response to several break-ins and vehicle thefts earlier this year. The Police Chief says statistics show "there is no rise in crime." [The Retrospect, August 30, 2024]. Privacy advocates ask: "Will these license plate readers enhance or diminish our freedoms and privacy?" [The Retrospect, September 6, 2024]
Question: Do you believe it is beneficial to deploy license-plate readers? Do you believe that the analysis and retention of the data they collect is justified? Overall, do you believe this plan is appropriate for Haddonfield at this time?

In my role in IT and through my experience on the Board of Education, I’ve learned that some issues require the expertise of our paid professionals. The role of a commissioner is to ensure the voices of the public are heard while collaborating with those experts to make informed decisions when the path forward isn’t always clear.

In the case of automated license-plate readers, I would rely heavily on the professional judgment of the Police Chief. If the Chief believes these readers would benefit public safety, we should consider the donation carefully. However, if the Chief does not see a need for these devices or believes there are better ways to enhance safety, I would seek to understand why. The input of the Chief is critical, but so is the perspective of the community group donating. Their intention is clearly to improve safety, and I would want to work with them to determine how their support and energy could be most effectively utilized.

Ultimately, I believe any decision about these license-plate readers should be made in our town's best interest, balancing public safety with privacy concerns. We must ensure that our department’s tools serve our immediate safety needs and protect our civil liberties.

Q.06 – NONPROFITS: Some Haddonfield nonprofits are still struggling to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic. For reasons that have not been communicated, the Borough has not scheduled a Fall Festival on Kings Hwy this year, thus depriving community groups of their traditional opportunity to publicize their activities, recruit members, and raise funds on a Saturday in October.
Question: Do you believe the Borough should actively support Haddonfield nonprofits? If so, suggest some ways it can do so. If not, why not?

During the Commissioner’s Work Session on September 9th, I raised the issue of the Fall Festival’s cancellation and its impact on local nonprofits that rely on the event to recruit members and raise funds. I learned that the festival is being replaced by a new event celebrating Haddy’s Birthday, but the response regarding nonprofits setting up tables was non-committal. Despite this, I strongly believe the Borough should actively support our local nonprofits.

Nonprofits are a vital part of our community, and their success reflects what residents value and find beneficial for the town. Supporting them isn’t just about helping the organizations themselves—it’s about fostering the public good that they promote. The pandemic hit many of these groups hard, and it's in the Borough's interest to help them recover and thrive.

The Borough can support these groups by integrating them into the many events held on Kings Highway throughout the year. Instead of relying on a single day like the Fall Festival, we could create multiple opportunities for nonprofits to recruit and fundraise at events like the Classic Car Show, the Summer Street Fest, and Rally in the Alley. This allows our groups to engage the community more frequently and in different contexts.

I am committed to ensuring our nonprofits have the support and opportunities to continue their important work in Haddonfield.

Q.07 – PARKING: The commissioners' September 2023 decision to charge for parking on Saturdays and until 8pm six days a week, and to replace parking meters with kiosks and an app remains widely unpopular.
Question: What future do you see for free parking and paid parking in Haddonfield? In particular, are you in favor of: (a) free public parking on Saturdays; (b) returning Monday through Friday paid parking hours to 9am to 6pm; and (c) giving drivers options in addition to the Premium Parking app to register for 10 minutes of "errand parking" time? "Yes"/"No" answers to (a), (b), and (c) will be sufficient, although you may elaborate if you wish.

I believe parking policies in Haddonfield should balance the town's revenue needs with the needs of our downtown merchants and local residents. The decision to extend paid parking hours and the introduction of the Premium Parking app has raised concerns. Still, I think we need to strike a better balance between turnover for short visits and longer-term parking for diners and shoppers.

Regarding street parking, I would look at the data to see if the extra evening time is even justified; the goal is to help manage turnover for quick trips. Additionally, I would advocate for free parking in the lots on Saturdays and evenings to support residents and visitors who plan to spend more time downtown, whether dining or shopping.

While the convenience of the old parking meter buttons for free time was appreciated, I believe the new system’s free time for quick errands is sufficient – and the meters are gone. That said, I am committed to keeping an open mind and an open ear, listening to feedback from merchants and residents, and adjusting, as needed, to find the right balance between generating revenue and supporting our local businesses.

Q.08 – ENGAGEMENT: The current Board of Commissioners has been criticized not only for failing to inform the community about their work on some major projects, but for failing to invite input from the community on those projects. Examples include major changes to parking regulations (which were implemented without any public input or advance notice) and the naming of a designated redeveloper for Bancroft (which was announced without the release of any information about the responses to the RFP/Q or opportunity for public comment on the proposals).
Question: Do you believe those criticisms are valid? If so, suggest ways the commission could do a better job of involving the community and communicating with the community. If not valid, why not?

The criticisms regarding transparency are valid because they exist. I take issue with the current administration’s lack of transparency, particularly around major decisions like parking hours, meter changes, and the Bancroft redevelopment. After joining the Board of Education in 2014, I saw firsthand how much harder governing becomes when transparency is lacking. It took a dedicated effort to improve our processes by publishing documents, recording and hosting videos of meetings, maintaining thorough minutes, and ensuring public participation in large, impactful decisions.

As commissioners, we are responsible for making decisions, explaining our thought processes, and informing the public. When the community is left out of the decision-making process, it fosters distrust and disconnects residents from the issues that matter to them. Our neighbors’ Facebook posts should not be more informative than the official borough channels.

If elected, I will be fully committed to transparency and accountability. For the Civic Association, in 2011, I spearheaded the recording and posting of all public meetings – personally recording many and recruiting high school students to do many. I will work to ensure that important information is shared with the public in a timely and accessible way. This means providing clear explanations of decisions, offering opportunities for public input before major changes are implemented, and ensuring that every resident can understand and engage with the commission's work. I invite everyone to hold me accountable for this commitment, as I believe it is essential for effective leadership and maintaining trust in our local government.

Q.09 – BANCROFT: What would you like to say about Bancroft, in 250 words (or fewer)?

My approach to the Bancroft issue and the borough’s agreement with Woodmont Properties centers on minimizing impact. This means carefully weighing any proposal's positive and negative aspects and finding a solution that meets Haddonfield’s needs while protecting its character. The current conditional agreement with Woodmont, which includes 120 units, fails this test.

Haddonfield faces four competing pressures: fulfilling the affordable housing obligation, preserving open space, creating downsizing opportunities for older residents, and managing the impact on infrastructure and schools. Each issue must be addressed holistically, not just as a “Bancroft problem.”

Starting with affordable housing, we must build 10 affordable units. Woodmont's 18 affordable and 120 total apartments are 120% more than required - the opposite of minimizing impact. I also oppose creating a segregated affordable housing area, as seen with The Place at Haddonfield. Downsizing opportunities for seniors could be included by designing two- or three-bedroom homes with low maintenance and one-floor living. Additionally, maximizing open space aligns with the surrounding Camden County Park System.

The fourth issue—pressure on infrastructure and schools—is significant. The area is already congested, especially near the high school, and Woodmont’s 120 units would add unnecessary strain.

While this is not a proposal, a better balance can be found. A smaller-scale project or a plan to divide the property into lots for individual builders could better meet the town’s needs. The Woodmont proposal, however, is too large and does not minimize the impact.

Q.10 – BOTTOM LINE: Why should voters mark their ballot for you, rather than for your opponent?

Voters should support me because I bring a deep commitment to Haddonfield and a strong focus on transparency, collaboration, and responsible development. I’ve called this borough home for 25 years, served three terms on the Board of Education, and held leadership roles in several local nonprofits. I understand the importance of building trust with the community. I have firsthand experience fostering transparency and public engagement, which I saw was lacking in the Board of Education a decade ago and, more recently, in the current administration.

My approach to key issues, like the Bancroft redevelopment, centers on minimizing impact—balancing affordable housing, downtown opportunities, open space, and infrastructure concerns in a way that serves both current and future generations. I’m ready to listen, collaborate, and find solutions that preserve what makes Haddonfield special while ensuring we meet the needs of all residents.

I believe in transparency, accountability, and ensuring the community is informed and involved in decision-making. If elected, I will work tirelessly to restore public trust, support our local businesses, boards, and nonprofits, and ensure our borough is managed in a way that reflects the values of our residents. I ask for your vote because I believe I can bring the leadership, vision, and dedication Haddonfield needs at this important time.