Press Releases

(Blackwood, NJ) – Gloucester Township mayoral candidate Dave Mayer joined with council candidates Dan Hutchison, Michelle Gentek and Frank Schmidt to push open the doors to Gloucester Township government online.

"Folks are frustrated with the lack of information and services online in Gloucester Township," said Mayer, a former Assemblyman and Councilman. "Most residents are too busy to make it to the Municipal Building when they need to apply for a permit or register for programs.We need to bring government back to the people through a modern web site that offers updated information and access to basic government services.

"The Gloucester Township Democrats proposed a more transparent Township web site that includes:

• Improved access to government business, including easier to locate public meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, job postings, and requests for contract proposals;
• Online access to public records, including zoning and building permit applications and decisions, tax information, online applications, and the ability to pay fees and taxes online;
• Updated parks and recreation information, including schedules, information for special events, and online register for leagues and classes;
• Additional ways for residents to give comments about Township services, including an online survey with published, updated results; and
• Taxpayer-funded contracts, local and state budgets, school district budgets, and other public records that are accessible under OPRA laws should be made easily accessible.

Mayer also called on the Administration to cut costs by offering the quarterly print newsletter – currently mailed to every household in Gloucester Township – online, via e-mail.

Council candidate and community advocate Michelle Gentek added, "People expect local government to stay connected to residents.Meeting schedules and agendas, zoning board proposals, and requests for contract proposals should be just a click away."Hutchison and Schmidt proposed an expanded web site for Township Council, with contact information, meeting schedules, and e-mail newsletters from Council.

"Council members bring different experiences and views to the tough problems we face.We should have a visible and independent voice online that includes updated information about the public's business and easy to find e-mail addresses so residents can share their views with us," said Schmidt.

"If we do this right and do it now, the people of Gloucester Township will see improved services, better access to their government, and savings to boot.How can we continue to ignore one of the main channels of communications in today's world?" asked Hutchison.