Meet The Candidate: Dan Hutchison

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, 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 Gloucester Township, the Mayor’s seat and three council seats are up for grabs.

However, before the general elections on Nov. 7, Primary Day arrives on June 6. While only four Republicans filed to run in this year’s elections, eight Democrats have thrown their hats into the ring.

Each day for two weeks, Gloucester Township Patch is running candidate profiles for the Democrats 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: Gloucester Township Council Candidate Dan Hutchison

Why are you running for Gloucester Township Council?

• I am running for reelection because I believe in fiscal responsibility as we have shown time and again. Over the last eight years, we have stabilized the municipal tax rate by not raising taxes 6 out of 8 years. Prior to those years, residents of GT experiences tax increases each and every year.
• Public Safety is always at the forefront of our minds. We want our residents to be and feel safe. We will continue to work with our Police Department in promoting their new community policing strategies that has brought down the crime rate over 34% since 2010. Our officers deserve a congratulations on that phenomenal achievement.
• Despite a national economic recession, we have and will continue to focus on economic development and jobs. We have seen a tremendous commercial revitalization through the largest economic development project in the history of Gloucester Township and one of the largest in South Jersey - the Gloucester Premium Outlet Center. This project alone created over 400 construction and 600 permanent retail jobs that helped to improve both our local and regional economy. We have also established redevelopment plans for the College Drive Interchange, Blackwood Clementon Road, the Black Horse Pike and the Township-owned NIKE missile bases for further economic development and job creating opportunities for our residents.
• We will continue to invest in our youth and look at ways of saving more open space and becoming a more sustainable township. We are already leaders in sustainability and environmental stewardship, but we still feel there is a lot more we can do.

Our youth are the essence of what makes a great community. We make no apologies for the investment in our youth sports and activities. Over the last 8 years we have opened 3 new deck hockey rinks, 3 new turf soccer fields, a new turf football and lacrosse/field hockey fields, and the brand new Field of Dreams that give all children an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities in our town. We have also invested in our baseball and softball leagues for improvements to their facilities and fields.

Have you ever held a public elected office? If yes, please name the governing body (school board, township council, fire commissioner) and years of service.

I have had the pleasure of serving the community as a Gloucester Township Councilman.

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve on Gloucester Township Council?

I have lived in Gloucester Township since 1995 and have coached nearly every sport that GT has offered - soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball. I have also served as a Cub Scout Leader. With my experience in town through my community activities as well as my time on council, I know the pulse of the township. You might find me on weekends walking the town interacting with residents, listening to their thoughts and concerns, and to make sure their local government is serving them properly. I have a degree in finance and accounting, as well as a juris doctor from Widener Law. My practice is focused on assisting people with financial problems and bankruptcy, and I will continue to use those skills on council.

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

The biggest issue that is facing GT as well as every town in NJ are property taxes. Many folks do not realize that the municipal tax rate is only one part of the overall property tax burden - the other taxing entities are the local and regional schools, fire districts, and county taxes.

As a councilman, I have worked with Mayor Mayer in holding the line on municipal taxes for 6 of the last 8 years. Additionally, Council and the Mayor have improved finances and saved tax dollars with shared services agreements - GT is ahead of the curve in finding creative solutions to the property tax dilemma. Currently, Gloucester Township has the 23rd lowest tax rate for a municipal government in Camden County. We are always looking for new and creative solutions to reducing the property tax rate and will continue to bring in new businesses and create jobs.

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

I believe our residents are the biggest asset to Gloucester Township. We are 70,000+ residents strong and each person brings their own story to the township. From the service member who is fighting for our freedom to the religious leader who is praying everyday for our well-being; from the young-mind who is in full-day kindergarten thinking about becoming a police officer to the senior citizen who is sharing their wealth of knowledge with their fellow firefighters. Each one of those residents, and more, contributes to what is so great about Gloucester Township, and we are so proud to have met so many of them, and we continue to do so.

We are a township that is proud. We urge each reader to take a minute and see it in action - you can see it every day when walking around the numerous parks in GT, watching your children play on the new turf fields or the little league fields, shopping at the Gloucester Premium Outlets, or strolling down Blackwood with a piece of a tomato pie - these are the reasons why we will continue to follow through on our promises.

How do you plan to balance spending and revenue in tough economic times?

We need to continue building upon the strong economic development initiatives that we are continuing to see here in GT. There is not much developable land left in the township so we need to continue to be more creative with incentives to bring ratables into town, and find ways that will draw more consumers to our local businesses. We have received an upgraded A+ bond rating; refinanced debt which saved over $1 million dollars; eliminated several supervisory positions; merged several boards/authorities; restructured government offices; streamlined the process to bring businesses to town; amongst many other cost savings initiatives. Gloucester Township is home to the largest shared services solar project in NJ saving both our school districts and municipal government money while promoting a sustainable environment.

Do you feel the current Council is effective? Why or why not? Where do you think the governing body could improve?

Yes, I do feel that this Council has proved to be highly effective. Our current council is the most transparent that we have seen to this day, one can watch via live-stream, review minutes of the session online, attend work sessions and meetings and even email questions during a council meeting, and we are very approachable throughout town. Residents are always encouraged to ask us a question or discuss issues.

Council’s leadership continues to promote economic development by bringing in the largest economic development initiative in the township’s history, the Gloucester Premium Outlets; we continually protect the environment through green initiatives such as the numerous solar projects throughout the township; and we are always looking at ways to save the taxpayer dollar.

Lastly, the services to our residents are far superior to those elsewhere from the numerous beautifully maintained parks, one of the only dog-friendly parks in south Jersey, state-of-the-art turf fields for our numerous youth and adult athletic leagues, the field-of-dreams for children and adults with special needs, paved and maintained roads, trash and recycling services including brush and leaf pickup, appropriate land-use and ordinances, and an award-winning and highly acclaimed Police Department which has seen a 34% reduction in crime in Gloucester Township.

These are a few of the reasons why I feel that we, GT Council, and the current administration is serving the community as elected by their peers. We have accomplished everything that we said we would do and more. If re-elected, I will continue to serve the residents of Gloucester Township and will continue to make Gloucester Township the place to live, work, and play.

The attached image of Dan Hutchison was posted on the Team Mayer 2017 Facebook page