Name: Tina Marie Coolidge
Age: 41
Occupation: Higher Education Professional — College of Nursing and Health Professionals, Drexel University
Organizations: Tabernacle Township Recreation Committee (2005–2012); Tabernacle Board of Education (2008–2014) — Member of four committees, including Budget, and Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bulling (Chair); Association for Continuing Higher Education, Mid-Atlantic Region, Board of Directors (2012-Present); College Reading and Learning Association (2011-Present)
Why are you running for township committee?
It has been years since we have had a competitive election in Tabernacle. I am putting my experience in local activities on the table along with my professional background and giving voters a real choice. I believe my running mate and I offer a positive plan for improving township government.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Improving transparency for, and communication with all residents is my priority. Sitting in the bleachers at TAA sports, attending school events, and even just walking my dog, I interact with folks who know little about what is happening in our town. They feel blindsided when they learn of decisions that affect their wallets.
Name: Stephen Vincent Lee IV
Occupation: Cranberry farmer, Lee Brothers, Inc., an Ocean-Spray grower-owner
Organizations: Former board member, Washington Township Board of Education; deputy section warden, New Jersey Forest Fire Service; Widener University Hospitality Advisory Council, 1999; Board member. Tabernacle Land Use Development Board, chairman, 2008–2011; past-president, American Cranberry Growers Association; representative, Burlington County Board of Agriculture, president 2010–2011; member, Governor-Elect Chris Christie Transition Team-Agriculture Subcommittee, 2010; Youth athletic coach, Tabernacle Athletic Association 2007-present; Member and annual Convention Delegate, New Jersey Farm Bureau 2009–2014; Member, Tabernacle Township Committee 2011-Present; Deputy Mayor, Township of Tabernacle 2014; Mayor, Township of Tabernacle 2013, 2016; Member, National Cranberry Marketing Committee
Why are you running for Township Committee?
My family has been part of our community since 1868, and it has been an honor to represent my neighbors as a member of Township Committee. Tabernacle has and will always be part of my heart and soul, and I hope to continue to serve in that capacity.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Our families, farms, playgrounds, ball fields, churches, schools and our friendships with our neighbors are just some of the pieces of the fabric of our community. Keeping our community safe, strong and most of all, affordable, is clearly my top priority.
Name: Jason Litowitz
Age: 39
Occupation: Solutions Architect — Information Technology; Attorney
Organizations: Member NY and NJ Bar; Licensed to Practice in three Federal
Districts; Volunteer — US FIRST Robotics; Volunteer — Student Legal Services, Emory University School of Law; Member — Cornell Young Alumni
Why are you running for township committee?
Having regularly attended township meetings for years, I have a strong knowledge of the issues. I can be more productive than the entrenched incumbents in addressing the rift they have inflamed between our volunteer fire and rescue units, in supporting local business, and in communicating with ALL residents.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Township committee has proposed a budget that would give us the largest tax increase in recent years. My first priority would be to review and draft a long-term fiscal plan to ensure we are not depleting our emergency surplus, and not forced to make cuts to important local services.
Candidate Joseph Yates did not submit an article by deadline.
