By MELISSA DIPENTO
After announcing their bids for the top official spot in Cherry Hill more than three months ago, mayoral candidates Stephen Buividas and Charles “Chuck” Cahn are ramping up campaign efforts.
Both candidates said the most important thing they have been focusing on is getting out into the community and walking the streets to meet their neighbors in Cherry Hill.
Cahn, the Democratic hopeful, has also begun hosting “Chats with Chuck,” where residents can meet up and ask him what’s on their minds. He’s also met with the new superintendent of schools, Dr. Maureen Reusche, as well as Mayor Bernie Platt, to try and establish a good, working relationship with both entities, he said.
Cahn also estimates that he, as well as the three Democrats vying for council seats in this election, visits approximately 60 to 80 homes per day, even on the 100-plus degree days.
He said he enjoys campaigning with current council members John Amato and Sara Lipsett, as well as Melinda Kane, the mother of Jeremy Kane, who was killed in January 2010 by a suicide bomb attack while on patrol in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
“We’re trying to walk every neighborhood. It’s great walking the streets and seeing residents answer the door,” Cahn said. “The feedback has been very positive, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone.”
Buividas and his team of council hopefuls, Ann Madden Tufano, Maria Heckendorn and Dolores Kelly, have been taking their campaign to the streets, as well. Buividas said they’ve been to about 1,000 homes so far and show no signs of slowing down.
Buividas said his campaign has 80 or so volunteers already who are passing out brochures and other campaign literature.
His Republican slate, he added, has also attended a Chamber of Commerce luncheon and the recent Merchantville/Cherry Hill public meeting.
His team has also met with various groups in town, including Sustainable Cherry Hill.
From speaking to residents, Buividas said he senses concern about the Democratic leadership in the township.
“We’re really getting a lot of input. We’re hearing everyone’s thoughts and concerns,” Buividas said. “The status quo isn’t good enough, I’m hearing. Thirty years of Democrats … the people I’ve spoken with have had enough. They want a new voice and a new representative.”
Both candidates said they are committed to listening to residents’ concerns. One pressing topic for many residents, both Cahn and Buividas said, are property taxes.
“I’m hearing ‘Our taxes our too high.’ I respond, ‘With a town of this size, I think we need a full-time mayor,’” Cahn said. “I have a business background. I’m not a politician. But I’m committed to being a full-time mayor. Everybody’s been extremely positive and agrees that’s what the town needs.”
To address the higher taxes residents are concerned about, Buividas said he would find ways to reduce spending through shared services and competitive bidding in the township.
Buividas said his campaign has been a great success up to this point.
The campaign trail, though, has not been entirely smooth.
Public records, obtained from the Township of Cherry Hill, show late property tax and sewer payments for a business property he is listed on at 907 Berlin Rd. and his residential property on Brian Drive.
According to the property tax and sewer records for 907 Berlin Rd. from 2006 to 2009, a lien was placed on the property in the amount of $45,972.23.
Fees, penalties and interest added to the principal for that time period accumulated an additional $16,478.36, which records show was paid in 2010. Since then, the township has continued to collect late payments from the property.
The 907 Berlin Rd. property is also owned by Buividas’ father, Jim Buividas. The Buividases are co-owners of the property through a life estate agreement.
Jim Buividas is the life tenant of the property and Stephen Buividas is the remainderman. Buividas said the life estate is similar to a will, in that when his father passes away, the property will be passed on to him. For now, Buividas said, his father is obligated to pay the bills and taxes for the property.
Buividas, who has been practicing law for the past 11 years, said, in New Jersey, the life tenant is solely responsible for the payment of the real estate taxes in this situation.
Buividas said he has no obligation to pay the property taxes at that property.
Buividas’ residential property records from his Brian Drive home show he was late on his 2008, first quarter property taxes for $2,480.37.
Records also show Buividas has made late payments each year since 2008 on his sewer bills, which range from $75 to $95 per year. Buividas is currently up-to-date on his residential property bills.
Buividas said he does take responsibility for his late residential payments. He said, in his work as an attorney, he has good and bad months financially.
“When I do fall behind, I catch up. The economy is tough on everyone. I’m just like my neighbors in this economy,” Buividas said.
Buividas said he is confident his campaign will keep moving forward. He said he is dedicated to working hard for the township.
“It’s a non-issue. Yes, I do work hard, 12 hours a day, five days a week and usually six on Saturdays. I was brought up with a good work ethic, and I’m going to be able to provide for Cherry Hill,” Buividas said.
Records obtained from the township show Cahn’s residential property taxes, including 2011 first and second quarter payments of $24,518.75, have been paid on time.
Cahn, a former business owner who sold his document imaging company in 2004, said his opponent’s late payments are not an issue for him and said he does not intend to use the numbers in his campaigning.
“It speaks for itself,” Cahn said.
Moving forward, both candidates said they are looking forward to even more campaigning this fall.
Buividas’ campaign recently launched a new website, www.itstimecherryhill.com, where residents can read about each of the candidates and upcoming events. You can also check out the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-Time-Cherry-Hill-2011/227262700622182.
Cahn’s campaign information can be found at http://cherryhilldems.com. Soon, he said, a new website, www.teamcahn.com, is set to launch with even more news, videos, testimonials, events and details about each candidate.
