Meet The Candidate: Amy Leis

Moorestown voters will go to the polls on Nov. 8 to not just elect the next President of the United States, but to determine a large part of the makeup of their local government for the next four years.

With three of the five council seats up for grabs, Moorestown residents will be determining the balance of power and direction of the township this fall.

Patch asked each candidate to complete a questionnaire outlining biographical information, their platform and their stands on a handful of issues.

This week, Patch will run profiles of all the candidates for council in alphabetical order, and alternating between the Democrats and the Republicans.

Profiles are presented here in the same format as the questionnaires given to the candidates. There were no further instructions, and none of the responses has been edited (beyond basic proofreading and formatting). Readers can make their own judgments on how the candidates did or didn't answer the questions.

Up next: Democratic candidate Amy Leis.

Why are you running?

My husband’s family is from Moorestown. His parents met at MHS and his grandfather was a Mayor here in the 1960s. With that in mind, when I saw businesses closing on Main Street, I knew it was time to serve the community and make a difference.

What do you feel are the most pressing issues?

Our Main Street and Lenola business districts are long overdue for revitalization. We can create a Hip Meets History vibe that makes Moorestown a destination for families. In addition, our town could benefit from a 5- year plan. As my fourth grade teacher Mr. Flemming used to say, "a failure to plan is a plan to fail."

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

Council can be more collaborative and transparent. A "how are we doing" survey should be sent annually to residents. Town meetings can be videotaped and easily accessed through the township website. The Council can better use social media to reach out to residents who can't attend meetings. Finally, there should be a Red Tape Commission, similar to the one at the state level, where business owners and residents get a chance to discuss zoning, appearance, and other concerns with decision makers.

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

Lisa Petriello has been working hard to ask the right questions and gather information before expensive, time-consuming decisions are made. In addition, the Council has passed numerous resolutions recognizing upstanding citizens and organizations in Moorestown.

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

I have 11 years of experience in financial services that includes roles both in corporate management and as a financial advisor. In addition, I've served on several boards in town, including the Moorestown Business Association and the Perkins Center for the Arts. I've also volunteered with Samaritan Health Care and Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association. My strengths include long-term planning, acting in a fiduciary capacity, budgeting, tax-efficient investing, and results-driven idea generation.

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

I'm a working mom trying to make a difference. I'm not political and I've never run for office.

Personal Background

My husband and I have been together for 12 years, and our 5-year-old daughter is in kindergarten at Moorestown Friends. I grew up in Pennsylvania on the Main Line in a small town called Gladwyne. My undergraduate degree in Communications is from University of Miami and my PhD in Educational Psychology is from Temple University. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends, playing golf, and hanging out at the Shore with family.