Every week, The Sun will ask candidates in the Nov. 3 election for Voorhees Township Committee seats to respond to questions pertinent to local issues.
This week’s questions:
1.) Why are you running for township committee?
2.) If elected, what would be your top priority?
Dave Adamson
Age: 58
Occupation: Managing Partner of Adamson Technologies, LLC, an IT and networking solutions company
Political Affiliation: Republican
List of Candidate’s Clubs/Organizations: Voorhees Business Association (VBA), CIO Network, Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies, Alluvium Woods Volunteer Homeowners Association, Kirkwood Lake Clean Up Effort, Hope Church and other Civic and other Nonprofit Organizations and the Junior Ice Hockey Clubs in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EHL).
Why are you running for township committee?
Over the last year I have met with thousands of Voorhees residents; an experience that makes me uniquely qualified to address voter’s concerns. I want to join with Heidi and Committeeman Friedman to finally lower property taxes. My experience as a business owner will bring much needed efficiency to town hall.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
When elected I will be to bring balance back to the township committee; ending the one-party monopoly that has run Voorhees since the late 1990s. The same politicians raise our taxes each year. I will fight to change the way we contract, fix the budget and increase non-tax revenue to bring most Voorhees their first tax cut ever.
Dr. Heidi Handler
Age: 47
Occupation: Physician
Political Affiliation: Republican
List of Candidate’s Clubs/Organizations: Burlington County Emergency Medical Corps (deployed during Superstorm Sandy), East Coast Asian Dog Rescue, The University of Chicago Alumni Schools Committee, Board of Trustees Congregation Beth El, Board of Trustees The Religious School at Congregation Beth El, Hadassah, Volunteer Physician at NJY summer camp, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Board of Family Physicians, New Jersey Association for Gifted Children
Why are you running for township committee?
I care deeply about our community. It hurts to see seniors and hard-working families leaving because of the oppressive taxes in Voorhees and because certain politicians in our local government have grown deaf to its citizens’ concerns. I have the ability and commitment to make changes happen, the stamina to see it through, and the desire to stand up for people.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Fixing the oppressive tax burden and eliminating the behind the scenes self-serving political deals for township professionals continue to occur thanks to one-party domination. I am honest and I have integrity, two things that are needed to reform a broken system and bring back transparency, honor, and responsibility in government.
Jason Ravitz
Age: 43
Occupation: Vice President of Retail Operations for the Ravitz Family Shop Rites
Political Affiliation: Democrat
List of Candidate’s Clubs/Organizations:Member of the Jewish Community Center Board of Directors, Voorhees Township Planning Board Member, Vice-Chair of the Jewish Community Center Annual Sports Awards Fundraiser, Board Member of the Ravitz Family Foundation, Member of the Advisory Board for the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation, Former Member of the Camden County Technical School Board of Education, Former Member of the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of South Jersey.
Why are you running for township committee?
I am running because I am committed to community service. Voorhees is a great community and I believe with my business skills and history of community service I can be successful in working with our elected officials and residents to keep Voorhees moving in the right direction.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
My top priority will be to maintain long-term tax stability without reducing the level of services Voorhees residents expert and deserve. I will place special emphasis on partnering with the Voorhees School District to make sure all our children get the best possible education and the School District receives its full share of State aid.
Michelle Nocito
Age: 38
Occupation: Financial Advisor, MBA, CRPC®, CDFA, Managing Director, Ameriprise Financial
Political Affiliation: Democrat
List of Candidate’s Clubs/Organizations: Co-President of ET Hamilton Parent Facility Association, Voorhees Township Planning Board Member, President of Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Foundation, Avid runner and Member of the Voorhees Mom’s Runners Club, Voorhees Soccer Association Girls U-9 Travel Team Coach
Why are you running for township committee?
I am running because I am very passionate about our community. I believe my business background and experience as a licensed financial advisor and trained certified mediator will add substantial value our Township Committee. I possess the necessary business experience and negotiation skills to continue to move our Township forward.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
I am committed to cutting spending and reducing the size of government while maintaining the high quality of municipal services Voorhees residents expect and deserve. In 2014, through sound fiscal planning, there was no local tax increase. My priority will be to continue to strive to stabilize local property taxes.
