Meet The Candidate: Scott Owens

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 will run 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 Scott Owens

Why are you running for Gloucester Township Council?

As a husband and father of two young children, we chose Gloucester Township to be our lifelong home and I want to make sure my family and other families continue to benefit from the services and programs the township offers its residents. My family and I utilize the beautiful parks throughout town, we use the recreation and athletic facilities, we engage in the numerous volunteer opportunities offered, and we attend movie nights, we participate in athletic leagues and programs, we enjoy Gloucester Township Day, and more. I want to make sure these activities and services will be around for the future.

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.

No I have not, though I currently serve as the Chairman of the Gloucester Township Planning Board (appointed volunteer position).

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve as a member of the Gloucester Township Council?

I am bringing not only my academic background, but my professional experiences as well. I hold a masters degree in public administration which has prepared me to take on the myriad of issues that will come before council. I am very well qualified to analyze issues ranging from budgetary to organizational questions, and policy inquiries to human resource issues. I will bring new, innovative ideas to the table. Additionally, I am very involved in the community, currently serving as head coach for Erial Little League. I have served as an assistant coach for Blackwood Kiwanis Little League, I volunteer during MLK Day of Service and Relay for Life, and I help provide food for the less fortunate throughout the year. I am continually attending numerous fundraisers that support great initiatives such as the “Field of Dreams” and the GT Scholarship Committee.

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 - our local government is not responsible for those taxing authorities. Our current Council and the Mayor have done their part 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. I will continually look for new and creative solutions to reduce the property tax rate and will look 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 I am so proud to have met so many of them, and I continue to do so.

We are a township that is proud. I 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, shopping at the Gloucester Premium Outlets, strolling down Blackwood with a piece of tomato pie - these are the folks that I will promote and will continue to engage with as a councilman.

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. The Township has 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; among many other cost savings initiatives. Gloucester Township is also home to the largest shared services solar project in NJ saving both our school districts and municipal government money while promoting a sustainable environment. It’s through these channels, and belt-tightening that will balance spending and bring in more revenues.

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 council has proven to be effective. First of all, 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 our council members are very approachable throughout town. Residents are always encouraged to ask them a question or discuss an issue.

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; they continually protect the environment through green initiatives such as the numerous solar projects throughout the township; and they are always looking at ways to save the taxpayer dollar.

Lastly, the services to GT residents are far superior to those in other communities. Gloucester Township has numerous well-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 that benefit the community, and an award-winning and highly acclaimed Police Department that has seen a 34% reduction in crime in Gloucester Township.

These are a few of the reasons why I feel that this council is serving the community as elected by their peers. This council has accomplished everything that they said they would do and more. If elected to council, 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 Scott Owens was posted on the Team Mayer 2017 Facebook page