Moorestown Council Election Profile: Barbara Omert

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Three Moorestown Council seats will be up for grabs in the Nov. 3 elections. None of the incumbents chose to run for re-election this year, so there will be three new faces on Moorestown Council come January.

Patch sent questions to candidates in the race, and is publishing their responses in a series of profiles. Information provided by Barbara Omert can be found below.

Age (as of Election Day)

68

Position Sought

Moorestown Town Council

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Husband - Ed Omert, age 68, retired

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Burlington County College, Rutgers University

Occupation

I was the third generation to own and run my family’s small business for approximately 30 years, and later worked in accounting and tax preparation

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

www.Facebook.com/FreshStartMoorestown

Why are you seeking elective office?

To serve the community that has given me so much over so many years.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As Doug Maute, Vick Bobadilla and I have spoken with thousands of residents, it’s clear that affordability is the number one issue on their minds. The current Town Council has raised property taxes even while sitting on an $8 million surplus.

Rather than bring legal action against the polluters of Moorestown’s water to pay for the needed upgrades to our water infrastructure, the Council chose to raise water and sewer rates. They raised fire inspection fees, recreation fees, and library taxes, and raised our Township debt by over $20 million in just two years. Moorestown families simply can’t afford four more years of going down this path.

I intend to tackle this issue by working towards a sustainable balanced budget that will provide for growth without increasing — and ideally lowering — the tax burden on the residents and businesses of our town.

We must pursue legal action against the polluters of Moorestown's water supply, taking taxpayers off the hook for millions spent on improving our infrastructure and holding those bad actors accountable.

We must also take a closer look at how we can grow our business ratables by filling empty storefronts, delivering on long-delayed projects such as the Lenola Redevelopment Project and Percheron Park on Main Street, and improving the way our town does business with those seeking to relocate or expand within our borders.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a fresh perspective to the table unconstricted by higher political aspirations or previous elected offices. I would come into this role prepared to do the job on Day One thanks to my background as a small business owner and community volunteer.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current Town Council has not established a proactive, long-term plan for our community and are primarily reactive to the issues as they arise, making short-term decisions individually without determining if they fit into a broader vision for our community.

Moreover, the current Council has voted to raise taxes and fees on residents in spite of the Township having an $8 million surplus, making it harder for families and businesses to remain in the town we love.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

1) Lower taxes and fees on our residents;

2) A proactive approach to business revitalization;

3) Increasing transparency and accountability in Township operations;

4) Ensuring that Moorestown not only has clean and safe water, but that the polluters who are to blame are pursued to recoup costs associated; and

5) Removing politics from the decision making process in awarding contracts, appointing to Township Boards and Committees, or collaborating with our residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served in a number of volunteer roles through the years, each one allowing me to gain new perspectives on the challenges facing my neighbors and my community. I have served on the Board of Friends of MEND, and have been an active participant in the efforts of the Moorestown Community House, Oaks Integrated Care, and Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice of South Jersey. I have been an active supporter of organizations such as the Historical Society of Moorestown, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Mercer & Burlington Counties, and the Alzheimer’s Association. These active roles in our Moorestown and South Jersey community have proven that I have the heart, passion, and drive to give my all in serving my neighbors.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

From my father who said “The greatest gift you can ever give is your time.” As your next Councilwoman, I will make sure that our town's residents, businesses, and organizations will always have my time and effort whenever needed.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I look forward to getting to work for the people of Moorestown with my running mates, Doug Maute and Vick Bobadilla, and know that together we will truly bring a fresh start to Moorestown. If elected, I will approach all issues fairly and equitably for all residents and businesses of our town seeking compromise, not a one sided political outcome, to establish programs and policies in our community. I will seek to bridge divides, find common ground, and work across the aisle whenever possible to ensure the best solutions are found on the issues facing our town. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FreshStartMoo... or via email at afreshstartformoorestown@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or concerns!