Mayor David Mayer talked about initiatives for improving Gloucester Township in the near future, including greater police partnerships, and increased economic development and sustainability.
As of a few weeks ago, Gloucester Township residents will not always have to seek out answers for questions they may have for the local government. Sometimes, the mayor will come to them.
Mayor David Mayer started the Ask The Mayor video at the beginning of March, answering questions from residents. A team visits local public areas, such as supermarkets and outlets, to directly come to residents.
“People are busy, and we need to make it easier for us to answer their questions, because I’m sure they have questions out there,” Mayer said.
So far, Mayer has answered questions about taxes, sports and seniors, and said he has plenty more on the way.
Mayer said the video series is an initiative to create more communication between Gloucester Township residents and their governing parties, including the township and police department.
The video series is just one of many such initiatives. In the near future, the township hopes to launch new programs and movements that will help improve the area in many ways, such as safety, economic development and sustainability.
The video series can be viewed on Gloucester Township’s YouTube page.
“Being visible in the community is vitally important,” Mayer said. “When you’re out and about, people are going to tell you if there’s an issue. I can’t solve a problem unless I know about it.”
In the near future, there are plans to increase communication and visibility with the police in several ways.
The next change residents can expect to see is the introduction of a truck that will be used for community outreach. The truck will house several computers and television screens that will travel into communities.
Young residents will be encouraged to play video games with the officers.
Mayer said having young residents interact with police officers will make them more likely to be positive members of the community when they get older.
Mayer said the van is tentatively planned to be introduced in May.
In addition, he mentioned police officers plan to wear body cameras in the future. He said forging partnerships between police and the community is the most important endeavor.
“We want to engage the community and young people in that process,” Mayer said.
Mayer believes it is important for citizens to be involved in the township’s economic development as well.
Mayer said opening the Gloucester Premium Outlets shopping center was the biggest economic development project in the history of Gloucester Township.
On May 17, the township will hold its 17th Annual Business Breakfast where residents are encouraged to meet with some of the business leaders in the area.
In other initiatives, the township can expect to be more sustainable. There are plans to convert the GEMS landfill into a solar panel field to produce clean energy.
Mayer also said there are plans to install a bike kiosk in the area that would allow residents to rent bikes and to expand on the township’s bike path.
All of these initiatives are part of the “2017 Big Picture” list Mayer keeps on his desk. He said at the beginning of each year, he compiles a list of goals he wants to accomplish for the township.
“Local government is where the rubber meets the road,” Mayer said. “You can really solve problems and improve a community.”
