Moorestown Council Election Profile: Jake Van Dyken

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 Jake Van Dyken can be found below.

Age (as of Election Day)

46

Position Sought

Council

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife: Dina, Children: Erica (14) and Bridget (5)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

J.D. – New York Law, 2001
BS – Biology (Minors: Pre-medical studies and Spanish), Bowdoin College, 1996

Occupation

Attorney at Law; 18 years experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Moorestown Open Space Committee – 2017-18
Recreational Advisory Committee - 2020

Campaign website

MoorestownTogether.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

While I am originally from North Jersey, I made Moorestown my home in 2007. It was an easy choice; My wife grew up in Moorestown, and I quickly fell in love with it here. The people in Moorestown are its greatest asset, and make it a truly special place to live. They are hardworking, talented, and involved in the community. While there has been some disagreement in recent years regarding township issues, the divisions are the outgrowth of a diversity of perspectives, which should be seen as a plus and not a minus. I believe that Council is a place where diverse ideas should be heard, and it is the mission of Council members to forge compromises that reflect these ideas. While much has been done to advance Moorestown, I believe there is more to do to make it an even more desirable place to live, work, and play. My goal on Council is to better the experiences of every resident in Moorestown, by promoting small business opportunities, implementing necessary infrastructure projects, and making Council a transparent and welcoming place for residents to be heard.

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

Covid-19. During this time of social and economic crisis involving Covid-19, I believe it more important than ever for residents to be able to rely upon an open and transparent government. Whether it be emergency resources or just updates on the pandemic, the Moorestown community deserves to feel as safe and secure as possible, and Council leadership plays a central role in that. The importance of openness and transparency are not, however, limited to the current crisis. A well-functioning town requires its leaders to be trustworthy, unbiased, and welcoming to opposing views. I believe all residents have the right to be heard and to inform the decisions that shape Moorestown’s future.

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

I can only speak for myself when I say that I truly care about putting in the time to understand and appreciate how the policy decisions made by Council impact township residents. It is extremely important to me that all residents have the opportunity to voice their positions on the issues being considered by Council before votes are drawn. I promise to work hard on Council and to represent all of Moorestown’s residents.

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

I am seeking election to a vacant council seat.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My main policy objectives are to preserve the historic beauty of Moorestown, restore its infrastructure, and promote a thriving small business environment. The only way to achieve these goals is to work hand in hand with other Council members, Township Committee Heads, and local leadership, so that Council is making decisions that draw upon the wealth of talent in our town and reflect all available information. I have made a career out of finding solutions that represent diverse interests, and I will bring those skills to this job as well. However, even well-intentioned leaders fall short when their decisions are made behind closed doors. That is why a cornerstone of my campaign is to bring even more openness and transparency to all of the decisions made on Council.

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

As a trial attorney, I deal with conflict on a daily basis. Through this, I have learned not only the importance of compromise but also how to achieve resolution. In addition, I have learned that one must invest time and energy in researching a problem in order to make informed and principled decisions. I would bring my two decades of experience as a litigator to Council to fight for the best interests of this township, and to ensure that all decisions are made in a responsible manner.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Tough times never last. Tough people always do.” My grandfather was a principal and superintendent of the Wayne Schools in North Jersey. He reminded his students, faculty, and board about this quote throughout his tenure. It has always rung true to me, especially now during the pandemic. We must all remain steadfast in our belief that these tough times will pass soon enough, and the residents of this town will begin to see better days again. This town is filled with resilient residents. Stay tough!

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

If elected, I will always be open and approachable to residents for discussion and compromise on the issues facing our town.