The Retrospect Q&A

It’s important that you know where I stand on the issues impacting our community before deciding if I’ve earned your vote. Voting is one of the best ways to ensure your voice is heard, and I want to make sure you feel confident that I share your values and will represent you with integrity. I believe in being open, transparent, and always putting our community’s needs first. These questions and my responses are part of a feature in The Retrospect newspaper, and I encourage everyone to subscribe to The Retrospect and NJ Pen for accurate, local reporting on the issues that matter.

Question: In May 2024, the borough’s commissioners voted 2-1 to designate Woodmont Properties as the conditional redeveloper of the Bancroft parcel. The deciding vote was cast by the commissioner whose seat you are seeking. A citizen’s group has sued the town to invalidate the 2-1 vote. What is your vision for the Bancroft property, how do you plan to achieve consensus with the two sitting commissioners, and do you think a new vision can reasonably be decided on by next May’s commissioners’ election for all three seats?


The Woodmont Properties proposal, with its 120 units, is far too large and out of step with Haddonfield’s needs. Our town values preserving open space, minimizing infrastructure strain, and creating downsizing opportunities for seniors, all while meeting our affordable housing obligations. With one commissioner already voting no, I pledge to do everything in my power to reduce the scope of this project at every opportunity. Woodmont will need to collaborate with us and work toward a consensus, or they’ll face an uphill climb in moving forward.

My vision is to scale down the development to better reflect Haddonfield’s character—balancing affordable and market-rate housing, designed to appeal to downsizers, while protecting valuable open space. Consensus is achievable through open dialogue with the two sitting commissioners, ensuring we address each priority without rushing toward the May election deadline. This project is too important to force through a flawed plan that could burden our schools and infrastructure for decades to come.

Rather than being bound to an election timeline, I believe we should slow down, involve the community, and work with the developer to find a solution that satisfies all parties. Whether it’s a smaller-scale development or dividing the property into lots for a neighborhood-driven approach, there are better options that can be explored. I’m committed to ensuring we take the necessary time to make the right decision for Haddonfield’s future.

 

Question: In recent commission meetings this year, town leaders have warned residents about the spread of mis- and dis-information online, including claims that such misinformation fuels fear over public safety. Residents have also stood up during public comment, showing divisions in the town over such issues as borough open space, police presence and safety technology, parking in the downtown, and pickleball disturbing neighbors. What would you do, as commissioner, to turn down the political temperature in the borough and restore a greater sense of unity and civility among residents even with disagreements on policy?


In the many conversations I have had with residents, a lack of access (sharing, feeling heard, transparency, proactive sharing of information) to timely and pertinent information regarding the issues most important to them has surfaced time and time again. As commissioner, my priority will be to create a space for open, respectful dialogue, where we can disagree on policy without dividing the community. From my time on the Board of Education, I’ve seen firsthand how transparency and clear communication are essential to building trust. When decisions are made behind closed doors or when the public feels left out, misinformation and fear can take root, leading to unnecessary tension. It took a strong commitment to transparency and public involvement to restore trust when I joined the BOE, and I’ll bring that same approach to the Borough Commission.

I firmly believe in trusting the expertise of our public service professionals, especially when it comes to issues of public safety. At the same time, I recognize the value of community engagement in shaping policies and would value opinions from groups that have already been formed like Haddonfield Safe. The concerns about borough open space, parking, safety technology, and even local issues like pickleball must be addressed with input from both our professionals and the public. We can build better, more informed solutions when we invite residents into the process and provide clear, accurate information.

To turn down the political temperature in Haddonfield, I would foster civil discourse and open opportunities in meetings and forums where residents can express their opinions without fear of being dismissed. Misinformation thrives in a vacuum, so I will prioritize keeping the community well-informed and engaged.

By restoring transparency, trusting our public safety officials, and fostering a respectful environment for public participation, we can ensure that even when disagreements arise, we remain unified in our shared goal of making Haddonfield a better place for all.


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  • David Siedell