A year and a half ago, I took office with a plan to use my business experience to run Cherry Hill more efficiently and effectively.
It’s hard to believe that 18 months have passed, but I am happy to share some of the accomplishments my administration has made in that time.
When I ran, I promised to be a full-time mayor; make government more open and accountable; ensure fiscal responsibility by running Cherry Hill like a business; promote economic development by encouraging businesses to reinvest in Cherry Hill and helping our community attract and retain commercial ratables; and preserve open space and keep Cherry Hill green.
Those promises I made a year and a half ago have been kept, and this week I’d like to share some examples of what I’ve done since taking office in 2012.
We’ve established a more open and accountable government.
As you know, our township website has grown into an award-winning, one-stop shop for users.
It now contains nearly any information you could want: bid information, meeting agendas, minutes, ordinances and resolutions, and resident request forms.
We have improved resident services throughout all areas of town hall, and we’ve expanded our presence on Facebook and Twitter.
We’ve saved taxpayer dollars, and restored fiscal responsibility.
When we introduce the fiscal year 2014 budget in August, it will mark the second consecutive year with no municipal tax increase.
We’ve made smart investments in infrastructure, while receiving nearly $2 million in federal, state and county grants to further enhance the services and programs we deliver. And we’re working smarter:
In 2008, the employee head count at town hall was 228; today, we are operating a better government with fewer than 170.
We have carefully examined the township’s debt, and worked to save our residents nearly $5 million in taxpayer dollars over the next several years.
Thanks to Cherry Hill’s strong bond rating and near-historically low interest rates, we will reduce our debt-service payment for 2014 by more than $100,000 over the previous year.
More than 70 percent of our debt will be paid off in 10 years, and 90 percent will be paid off in 12 years.
We’ve adopted common-sense approaches to streamlining government.
For example, we have created a database of recreation facilities so we can better plan for maintenance and equipment replacements; implemented 12-hour police shifts, which saves thousands of dollars in overtime and increases public safety; and developed extensive shared service agreements with the library, the schools and fire department to save taxpayer dollars and to provide better services to all.
We continue to look for ways to use technology to run more efficiently.
We are integrating our software between departments, upgrading our fleet-management programs, building a modern records-storage facility, and enhancing our online services to include free tax bill reminders and an online property tax search.
We have worked to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, adopting new regulations for owners of blighted, vacant homes that will make it easier for the township to enforce property maintenance violations, encourage quick sales of these homes, and protect our property values.
We also banned smoking in our parks, playgrounds and on all township-owned property, which improves public health and air quality, protects the children who play and visit these places, and keeps our public spaces free of litter.
We’ve led the fight to preserve and protect our open space.
With Camden County, we attempted to buy the 155-acre Woodcrest Country Club when it was auctioned off last month.
While we couldn’t match the high bid, we have made clear to its new owners that we do not support development of any kind on the property.
So far, the new owners have said that they’ll continue running Woodcrest as a golf course.
Finally, we all know that Cherry Hill was not immune to the effects of the economic recession.
When I became mayor, there were too many empty stores, and vacant properties, and our home values were decreasing.
I helped jumpstart our local economy in several ways, and in 18 months, we have attracted dozens of new businesses, with many more on the way.
More than 80 new businesses opened in 2012 in Cherry Hill and dozens more have arrived in late 2013 and 2014.
We’ve seen the start of the revitalization of the former Ellisburg Circle with two marquee additions to our township.
Whole Foods, which will open next year, is totally renovating the Ellisburg Shopping Center.
The new LourdesCare center has already opened at the corner of Brace Road and Route 70.
Construction has picked back up at the Garden State Park and continues on a positive path to benefit all Cherry Hill taxpayers.
I’ve been working hard over the last few months to keep Subaru — one of Cherry Hill’s largest employers — right here in Cherry Hill.
As we move into the future, we will continue to reinvest in our economy and use 21st century technology to help us achieve even greater efficiencies.
Our turnaround is just beginning, and I believe we are well positioned to continue our progress forward.
As always, I thank you for sharing my commitment to this great township.
Together, we are making Cherry Hill an even better place to live, work and play.
