Meet the Cherry Hill Council Candidates

We invited the candidates for the municipal administration of the township to speak a little about themselves to the voters before the vote. Here is how they responded.

By Matt Skoufalos | November 1, 2021

On November 2, voters in Cherry Hill will choose from eight candidates elected for four city council seats.

Outgoing Democrats William A. Carter, III; Sangeeta Doshi; David Fleisher; and Carole Roskoph face republican challengers Diane C. Carr, Lodge David, Nicole nance, and Rossanna Parsons.

We invited everyone to respond to the same set of prompts, letting voters know about themselves, their priorities, and their perspective on the current state of the community. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Diane Carr (D, Challenger)

Diane Xanthopoulos Carr is a married mother of two grown children who teaches English as a Second Language at Camden County College and has run her own tutoring business for 14 years.

Her husband is a pastor of an Anglican missionary church in Mount Laurel; her son is a senior account manager in software sales and her daughter is studying for the Medical School Admission Test (MCAT).

Carr enjoys creative projects, gardening, cooking, hiking, and spending time with her 90-year-old mother, who lives with their family.

What is your philosophy of government?

The government must be an example to the people it represents through the policies, actions and attitudes of its leaders.

What does the future hold if legislators do not act in accordance with the law in the way they articulate these principles? How can people live comfortably when some are trusted administrations, and others are the conscience of their own soul?

Therefore, it is imperative that the law is not made arbitrarily but with careful scrutiny and transparency taking into account its implications. This includes educating immigrants to better understand our public policy in their own languages, while providing affordable access to learning English.

The government must be a minister of good in order to effectively allow society to flourish.

Why would you want to serve on Cherry Hill City Council?

There are two main reasons why I would like to serve on Cherry Hill City Council.

The first is to make the privileged location of Cherry Hill accessible to those who live here. I have heard it said time and time again that people cannot afford to live in Cherry Hill due to the high taxes. They are thinking about their future, and including high expenses is not in their plans.

Although the municipal tax rate has remained stable over the past ten years, taxes continue to increase. As someone said, we had the “rainiest rainy days” but no tax relief during the pandemic, despite having a surplus of $ 13.7 million and new construction revenue. Residents are rightly concerned that they see little added value in these inflated spending.

Second, I would like to see the views of residents prevail over those of “who-helps-who” or special interests. Council members should be representatives of the population, express the views of residents in city considerations, and not serve their own purposes.

What are the biggest challenges Cherry Hill faces?

Two of the biggest challenges our community faces are firstly the lack of intellectual diversity. Forty-four years of deep roots, favors and relationships squeeze out differences of point of view.

It’s quite simple: for common sense to be acceptable, it must think for itself, not agree without thinking with the politics of party machines. Anyone who can clearly think through their reasoning when they disagree should speak rationally and not give in to the fear or the benefits that come with pimping.

The second biggest challenge concerns the Critical Race Theory curriculum and is twofold. The first component is the selection of consultants for the popularized critical race theory program, which is extreme and non-liberating for those it is intended to set free. Enough information is available to recognize that the underlying motivation of this program prepares us for anarchy. Consultants of other points of view exist, but they are not considered acceptable by the selected consultants because they do not follow their “messages”.

Prominent surgeon Dr. Ben Carson said: “With initiative and education, almost anyone can thrive. This is where the focus needs to be on his race as a barometer to achieve the goals we can all agree on. A survey can tell us what they are.

The second part concerns the fact that school administrators do not listen to all the views of parents, otherwise there would not be as many “anxious” conversations about it across the country, including in Cherry Hill. This compulsory curriculum may seem like it has little to do with the roles and responsibilities of city council, but I disagree. In order to fund the Board of Education and represent all taxpayers, the Board must have a say in how its young residents are taught, and not just when problems arise.

Parental rights are threatened! Their ideas for the well-being of their children are put aside. As an educator, especially in the field of teaching English language learners, I want to provide local educational bases in Cherry Hill, in order to give more accessibility for people to be equipped to work with integrity and building skills. Critical Race Theory, as presented by the chosen consultants, does not serve the common good and should not be taught in our schools.

What are Cherry Hill’s greatest strengths?

One of the strengths of this community is its location at all points: the city for work (with bridges all around!), The shore for relaxation, and the arteries to major airports to anywhere in the world. world.

Another is its recognition as a hub. It is not limited to our large and charming mall which attracts people from other regions, but also to our vibrant ethnic restaurants, our places of worship of various faiths and our open spaces which attract people from all over, bring our community together. for a variety of activities and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

These and many others are all part of this residential community of nearly 72,000 people. We must not spoil it with masking and vaccination warrants or business that does not serve the best interests of the community.

Weaknesses are also part of any community and Cherry Hill is not exempt; therefore, we have work to do. Being a hub, the commercial sprawl needs to be carefully monitored, the aging and wilting of old buildings needs to be rehabilitated as quickly as possible, the overgrowth of trees and stumps needs to be dealt with, several streets need to be repaired, flooded areas must be surveyed (according to unrecognized resident for 25 years in his neighborhood), waste contracts must be quickly reviewed, pollution (air and water) must be systematically sampled, schools must be updated with new ones safety protocols, wildlife must be controlled humane.

Taxpayer money must be used efficiently to deliver the most value to residents and taxpayers. One-party control has reduced the accountability of rulers, and our commune has paid the price with unmet needs.

What are the three key questions you would like to focus on if elected?

From what I heard speaking to the residents of Cherry Hill: taxes, parental rights in child rearing, and infrastructure security, crime, and welfare.

In addition, I would like to promote the sustainability of Cherry Hill and look at the provisions for seniors, such as lawn care and home maintenance.

Nicole Nance (R, Challenger)

Nicole Nance is BBA Minister, Administrator, Executive Director, Certified Community Health Worker, Amway Independent Business Owner, and Entrepreneur.

A mother of two and a grandmother of one, she enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time with family and friends.

What is your philosophy of government?

Government is how the affairs of a city, state, or nation are to be conducted and regulated by the inhabitants of the city, state, or nation.

Why would you want to serve on Cherry Hill City Council?

I like helping people. I am a lawyer.

Serving people with advocacy is part of governance.

I want to help restore balanced governance to the people of Cherry Hill.

After all, that’s why we have elected officials. Taxpayers’ money pays their wages!

What are the biggest challenges Cherry Hill faces?

Property taxes and one-party rule. It is time to return to civil government in its original form: to have a body of people who rule with different points of view, but resulting in a win-win situation for the residents of the community, resulting in a better quality of life. Lowering property taxes is definitely a better quality of life!

What are Cherry Hill’s greatest strengths?

Resources. Cherry Hill is a large community with many resources that people drive for miles to access.

What are the three key questions you would like to focus on if elected?

1. Property taxes are reduced, residents enjoying millions of dollars in surplus.
2. Budgeting. Where does the excess money go and can it be better used for residents?
3. More involvement of the community with the police and schools.