Meet Ernest T. McGill, Cinnaminson Twp. Committee General Election Candidate

CINNAMINSON, NJ — The ballot season is in full swing in the Garden State, and Patch has asked local candidates aiming to win a seat on the Cinnaminson Township Committee to share their thoughts before the General Election on Nov. 3.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all contested candidates via the email addresses listed for their campaign. The responses received will be published between now and the general election. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

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Name: Ernest T. McGill

Age: 62

Town of residence: Cinnaminson

Position sought: Cinnaminson Township Committee

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife Tracey, Sons Matt, Kevin, and Kyle

Education: BA in History, Paralegal certification

Occupation: Retired

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Former mayor, current Township Committee member

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking another term because I have lived here in Cinnaminson for most of my life, and because I believe in this town, its people, and want to protect what makes it a great place to live, work, and play for all.

I want to continue to make this town the best place.

What additional measures would you suggest to build on one or two things that are done right now within the township?

I would work towards continuing to improve our neighborhoods by moving to keep investing in our parks, streets, sidewalks via grants, and continue to attract and retain businesses in town that contribute to our local economy while maintaining the character of our town.

If you were to start your own board or commission, what would it be for and why? What issues would you want to address, or areas would you want to highlight?

The board would be an advisory board comprised of residents from each section of town, a current Committee member, and Township professionals who would advise the Township Committee of local concerns and possibly recommend practical and money-saving solutions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The biggest difference is experience, and an understanding of how local government works.

I worked as police officer here in town for almost 20 years, and have been on Township Committee since 2018, two times as mayor.

I have been involved with development and planning matters. I understand we need to balance taxpayer demands, needs, and continued delivery of services provided to all residents.

I bring a record of public service from serving in the United States Navy Reserve, being a local police officer, and serving on Township Committee.

All of which giving me an understanding of what still needs to be done, I know I answer to the residents of this town, and not to party bosses, and that the residents deserve Committee members who focus on Cinnaminson.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

As stated earlier, my experience as a Township Committee member, and especially as a police officer, has helped our police department obtain accreditation, hire a chief from the department instead of a public safety director, and bring the manpower up to where it should be.

A priority of mine is to keep Cinnaminson safe and continue to increase community policing initiatives. I am the only one on Committee or of those running that has this experience.

I know this job, understand its responsibilities, and am prepared to continue my service to the residents.

What's a motto you live your life by?

My motto is to treat all people with respect, even if they disagree with you, and to do the right thing even when no one is watching.

What does it mean to you to represent Cinnaminson?

Moving forward, my goal is to continue to protect our quality of life here in town and continue to focus on public safety, sound fiscal responsibility, and maintaining all the things that make Cinnaminson a great place to live, grow up in, work, and play in.

I am asking for your vote to continue serving with pride and continue to have leadership that puts our residents and our town first.

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