Meet The Candidate: Ernest McGill

CINNAMINSON, NJ — There’s more on the line in New Jersey in November than just the Governor’s seat. All seats in the State Senate and State Assembly are up for grabs, as well. In Cinnaminson, there are two open seats available on the Township Committee.

However, before the general elections on Nov. 7, Primary Day arrives on June 6. With no Democrats filing to run in the election, it appears the winners of the Republican Primaries will be seated in January.

Each day this week, Cinnaminson Patch will run candidate profiles for the Republicans running in this year’s primaries. Patch sent each candidate the same questions, and their responses are posted here, with minor edits for grammar and spelling. Check out each one, then head to the voting booth to make an informed decision on June 6.

Up next: Ernest McGill

Why are you running for Cinnaminson Committee?
Because of my deep commitment to our town as a life-long resident, I have decided to give back by continuing my service to Cinnaminson Township as an elected member of our Township Committee.

As a decorated Cinnaminson Police Sergeant, I traversed our town for 18 years, so I know the needs of the community and it starts with true tax relief. It starts with being an independent minded individual who isn’t afraid to make tough choices on real spending cuts while still providing essential services to the residents. It starts with “Putting Our Community First” and not those of the campaign donors or the politicians. I want to provide an avenue for all residents to have a voice. Our opponents have turned off the opinion of the residents that they were elected to serve a long time ago.

Have you ever held a public elected office? If yes, please name the governing body (school board, governing body, fire commissioner) and years of service.
NO

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve as a member of the Cinnaminson Committee?
From my 18 years as a police officer in town, to my current position as acting Superintendent of Public Works and Sewer Department in a neighboring community, I would enter the office with a wealth of knowledge on two of our most highly visible Cinnaminson municipal services. I have the skill set to lead either of these two talented Cinnaminson departments with the vision and the benefits of having served in these capacities myself. This experience allows me to root out wasteful spending within the departments while still providing the tools and resources necessary to continue to serve the residents of Cinnaminson.

What is the biggest issue facing Cinnaminson? How do you feel the issue should be addressed by Council?

It is one simple word TAXES! Cinnaminson municipal tax rates are higher than 24 out of 40 municipalities in Burlington County. They are higher than Moorestown, Medford, Mt. Laurel and other comparable towns. The municipal tax rate is the only rate a Township Committee person controls. Municipal property taxes have increased an average of 10% every year for the past 15 years under the current leadership. In my opinion, they have failed miserably. This year’s so called tax break is a contested election year political stunt.

It can be addressed with smart and strategic redevelopment of the Rt. 130 corridor and our industrial area. This can be the biggest key to reducing the homeowner tax burden in Cinnaminson. It needs to be a comprehensive plan that sells the values of locating in Cinnaminson without providing tax incentives to already very rich developers and business owners. This strategy by the current administration has failed the Cinnaminson homeowners in the past 15 years.

The team of McGill-Horner has the professional skill sets to stabilize and then change the direction of the municipal tax rate.

What do you feel is Cinnaminson's biggest asset at this time? How would you exploit that asset to the township's benefit?

As a public servant in this town, I believe it is the residents that I have had the honor of serving for almost two decades. I believe in our residents and I believe that they deserve a voice in our government. While not perfect, our community is filled with great people who do great things. I’ve seen them come together time and time again to help one of our own who is struggling. These same people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by our governing body. They don’t get that today by some members of our governing body. My goal is to always listen and make informed decisions for our residents even if that decision isn’t the most popular.
Aside from our residents, our other greatest asset is our highly ranked school district. They are in the upper rankings in many categories. They are a motivation for many homebuyers to locate to Cinnaminson.

How do you plan to balance spending and revenue in tough economic times?
As I stated earlier, my experiences as a Police Sergeant in Cinnaminson and dealing with a $3.9 million budget as acting Superintendent of Public Works and Sewer Department in a neighboring community would allow me to make educated budget decisions for our Township. It allows me to help determine the immediate needs vs. the long-term needs. It allows me to prioritize and save taxpayer dollars in any given year. I will work with the sports programs to lift the new financial burdens that they currently face by finding efficiencies within the Public Works budget so the sports programs aren’t taxed twice for field maintenance and upkeep. I will utilize my expertise in policing to provide the necessary tools for our extremely talented Cinnaminson police department so they can continue to meet the difficult challenges that they face every day.
As stated earlier, I believe that smart and strategic redevelopment of the Rt. 130 corridor and our industrial area can be the biggest key to reducing the tax burden in Cinnaminson.

Do you feel the current Committee is effective? Why or why not? Where do you think the governing body could improve?
No, they have become ineffective because of the tension and ill will that some members of the Committee continue to demonstrate against other members of their own Committee, other governmental entities such as the fire and school districts, and most importantly to our residents.

At their May 15th public meeting, our opponent utilized the meeting to what appeared to be a 2-hour dog and pony show for his campaign. He rolled out unfinished and un-finalized agenda items of self-promotion. He refused to answer pertinent questions of the residents regarding the items on his own agenda.

The governing body will only be successful when they all see their mission as “Putting Our Community First” and not their own ego driven needs before the needs of the Cinnaminson residents. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

I am asking for your vote on Tuesday June 6th for Ernie McGill and Ryan Horner – Column 6.

The attached image was posted on the McGill-Horner For Cinnaminson Township Committee Facebook page