District 9 Representatives Visit Galloway Township for a Fourth Time

Galloway Township’s new representatives from District 9 visited Galloway for the fourth time since the redistricting on Wednesday night.

State Sen. Chris Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove visited the Smithville Inn for a fundraiser held Wednesday night, hosted by the Galloway GOP.

It was the trio’s fourth visit to the township, despite the fact that Galloway doesn’t officially fall into District 9 representation until after the November election. It was

“We’re very excited about representing Galloway Township,” said Connors, who has served as a senator for more than 21 years. “Good things are on the horizon. Their partnerships with the private sector are very important. They have a great resolve and devotion to technology.”

All three spoke of the developing businesses in Galloway Township, including the ever-expanding airport and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s growth, which may include a presidential or vice presidential debate during the 2012 election.

“That’s a wonderful thing,” said Gove, who has family scattered throughout the surrounding towns in Atlantic County. “That would be a coup not only for Galloway, but for all of New Jersey.”

While they are pleased to be picking up a township developing at a rapid rate, Galloway also faces some of the same issues the other District 9 municipalities are facing.

“They have the same bay concerns, the same issues with recreational and commercial fishermen and the environment,” Rumpf said. “We’re also aware of the need to revitalize Atlantic City. Our populous works in those casinos. Thirty-five percent of Little Egg Harbor works in the casinos, and having Galloway in the district brings us closer to that.”

At their event last week, the representatives had a chance to meet with some of the locals, Rumpf said. There are also plans to visit a Galloway Township Council meeting in the coming weeks. This would most likely happen in July, after the budget is settled, Gove said.

At recent council meetings, Galloway residents have expressed concern that the new legislators are available for township residents to speak with now, but that they might disappear once the election is over. All three legislators are sensitive to the concern, and assure Galloway residents they aren’t going anywhere if they are re-elected.

“The Galloway residents have all been very welcoming. Galloway and Port Republic are foremost on our minds, and we intend to prove ourselves,” Rumpf said. “We represented Hammonton and Folsom for the last 10 years, and we were frequent visitors to their schools and we toured their businesses. Our relationship was good, but we’re here now, and we hope to win (in November). Come January, you’re going to see even more of us.”

Connors wanted to assure residents that even though they are limited in what they can do, and the possibility of setting up a satellite office in the township is up in the air, the office in District 9 is all-inclusive.

“It’s premature to speculate about setting up a satellite office,” Connors said. “ … We’re going to be extremely accessible. We’re going to take every opportunity to let people know who we are.”

“People fear change, but there’s nothing to be fearful of,” Gove said. “We’ll be here. If you call and ask for us, we’ll call back.”