Meet the Candidates: Jim Gorman

On Nov. 8, residents in Galloway Township will go to the polls to vote on three seats that carry four-year terms on township council. Six candidates are vying for these three seats, and over the course of the next week, Galloway Patch will take a look at each candidate, one a day, in alphabetical order.

Name: Jim Gorman

Political Party: Democratic

Why are you running?

Having lived here over 20 years I thought I could help my community by getting involved.  I knew that spending was out of control and felt that I could bring a common sense approach to the table in that regard.  It has taken until the last couple of years to see this move in a positive way and during that time, I have worked with both Democrats and Republicans in a non-partisan way to help this happen.

What do you feel are the most pressing issues?

Unfortunately, I still think the pressing issue is the same as that it has been in the past which is the need to bring commercial ratables to the township in order to ease the tax burden on the residents.  Council has identified the Lenox site and the White Horse Pike as areas in need of redevelopment.  Galloway has been talking about this for 15 years.  If the redevelopment of these areas had been done sooner before the economy tanked we would be in better shape.  I am committed to bringing new commercial ratables and the jobs that will go with them  to Galloway and think that has to be the focus of all the members of Council going forward.

What changes would you make to what the current council is doing?

I will continue to work with all members of Council in a bi-partisan manner in order to achieve the goals that will improve living in Galloway.  I will continue to encourage putting meeting information and the minutes of our meetings up on the township website so that our residents would be better informed. Plus I will work to find ways within the framework of our budget that will allow us to get our police, fire, and public works programs back to what the departments need.  They have been working on a shoestring and have done a fantastic job of serving the people of Galloway but we on Council have to find a way to help them more financially.  Also I think that having a uniform trash program would help Galloway.  Some people when they go to sell and some when they buy think that Galloway has fees on top of taxes when they have to hire their own trash/recycling hauler.   It makes them ask: what am I really getting for the taxes that I am paying when that tax bill does not include trash and recycling – something that is available in the other towns in the area.

What are some of the positive things you believe the current council is doing?

Recognizing the redevelopment areas is the most positive thing.  Unfortunately, I think developers and residents in the last year have been disgusted and preoccupied with the turmoil in township government and that is slowing the township from moving forward.  Investors who are looking to open a business in a town are looking for stability in local government, the hirings and firings this past year have not sent a message of stability.

What would you bring to council that no one else can bring. i.e. strengths, experience, etc?

I think I have proven that I bring a common sense approach. I have not let any party lines decide what I think is right or wrong. And having four years experience on council in the worst economy will help me deal with keeping the taxes to a minimum. As the economy improves we can still toe the line in that area and can go forward with a moderate approach to spending even when revenue is increasing. Having worked on a Council that had three Democrats and four Republicans and then working on a Council in which I have been the lone Democrat sitting with six Republicans, I think that I have shown that I can work with whoever is on Council because my ultimate goal is doing what is right for Galloway.

What is your political background? What offices have you held/run for in the past?

I was elected in 2007 to Galloway Council.  As I stated in the past I have worked with both parties to get things done.  I did run for Freeholder in District Four because I believe that Galloway has not received its fair share from the county level. Jimmie Leeds Road and other areas still need to be improved and that means cooperation from the county at a higher level than in the past. I was happy to see the 6^th Avenue improvements begin; this has been a long time coming. Both parties need to work together in conjunction with the county to get other projects done in Galloway since we are one of the largest communities population-wise.  

Personal Background

I moved to Galloway in 1988. I have worked in the casino industry for almost 27 years. I serve on the Local 68 Operating Engineers Executive Board and formerly served on the Welfare Board. which has given me a lot of insight when dealing with contracting. My wife Tricia and I have been married for 23 years and have two children, ages 17 and 20.