Three candidates, all newcomers, will vie for two, three-year seats on township council in the election on Nov. 7. No petition was filed for the second Democratic seat available during the June primary.
Republicans
Name: Michael A. Czyzyk
Age: 41
How many years have you lived in Medford Township? 23
Married? Children? Grandchildren? Married for 17 years with three children (16, 12, 9)
School and degree: Degree from Drexel in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
Profession: COO and co-owner of Oilmatic
Elected Office: First time running for an elected seat on council
Community involvement: Medford-Vincentown Rotary, MYAA softball commissioner, volunteer for Pop-Up Food Pantry, active in our church.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Growing up here, I have always known Medford to be a special place. Through the amazing support of my family and friends, as well as the grace of my company, I have the opportunity to give back. We have an amazing community of residents that made a conscious decision to live here. I am looking forward to listening to everyone’s concerns and opinions to continue to make Medford the place they are proud to call home.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
My goal is to serve. I want to bring all facets of our community together to work through challenges. I will hold Town Halls and continue to participate in community organizations to be able to best support the residents.
Name: Bethany J. Milk
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Medford Township? 17
Married? Children? Grandchildren? Married with two children, ages 12 and 17
School and degree: Stockton University, bachelor’s degree in communications
Profession: Director at PRC Market Research for 23 years
Elected Office: First time running for an elected seat on council.
Community involvement: My family and I attend Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford for the past 17 years. We are heavily involved in MYAA including Flag Football, Tackle Football, Lacrosse and Basketball. I also voluntarily pay visits to Medford Care where I interact with the residents who are just looking for someone to talk to.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I love Medford and I am looking for an opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me and my family. My goal is to not only help continue to help Medford thrive, but to also be an ear and voice of our residents.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Our first responders are the backbone of our community, so I want to help ensure they have the equipment, training and necessities they require to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. Police, fire and EMS (emergency medical services) all protect us, and I will focus on protecting them.
Democrat
Name: Raymond W. Coxe
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Medford Township? 2
Married? Children? Grandchildren? Married to his husband, Patrick with two children, ages 13 and 11.
School and degree: Bachelor’s degree in political science, Rutgers University, master’s in business administration, Drexel University and certificate in advanced graduate studies, Northeaster University.
Profession: COO and board secretary for the Camden City School District.
Elected Office: First time running for an elected seat in Medford. Previously served for the Board of Education his hometown of Gloucester City as well as the City’s Charter Study Commission. He has served on the Planning Board and Housing Authority and is currently serving as a committee person for District 2 in Medford.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Coxe chose to run for two main reasons:
- He believes the quality of communication between the Township council and residents could be more open, factual and transparents.
- He sees many opportunities to enhance the quality of life for Medford residents through improvements to parks and recreation, streetscapes, trash pick and traffic.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
If elected, one main area of concentration for Coxe is development in Medford Township. While acknowledging Medford is required to meet its affordable housing obligations under COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) and the Mt. Laurel decision, it is his desire to look at alternative methods to meeting those obligations, such as using current housing stock in the Township, rather than focusing on new development.
Additionally, Coxe would like to see an increase in the minimum area necessary to build new housing, increasing to a minimum area of ¾ to 1-acre. Finally, Ray is committed to bringing transparency to Council to ensure residents know and understand the actions taken by mayor and council.
Coxe hopes to bring his background and experience to council to be a new voice, representative of all residents in Medford.
