Vince Calcagno, Sheree McGowan and Dennis Shennard.
Vince Calcagno, Sheree McGowan and Dennis Shennard all have experience in the municipal government. The voters’ task Nov. 5 will be to decide which two they believe deserve four-year terms to serve on the township council.
Calcagno and McGowan are incumbents running as a slate. Calcagno has been long involved in township affairs, serving as committeeman and mayor in the old form of government, and as a councilman in the new, elected-mayor format since 2009. McGowan also has served on township council since 2009, and has planning board experience. She also was the Republican’s candidate for state assembly in 2011.
Shennard filled a vacancy on council created by Rich Levesque’s 2012 resignation. He sat on the board for several month, but lost a re-election bid to David Boyne. Shennard currently serves on the planning board, but seeks a chance to regain his position as a township councilman.
The Robbinsville Advance asked the candidates to analyze the state of the township, and explain why he or she is the best person to lead the township forward. Their responses follow:
Vince Calcagno
Years in the Township: More than 25
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University; Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University
Occupation: Principal Data Architect at Ericsson
Community Groups: Township Committee from 1994 to 2004 (Mayor in 1999 and 2004); Township Council since 2009, township boards and sub-committees including the Senior Advisory Committee, Open Space Subcommittee, Zoning Board, Planning Board, and Cable TV Advisory Committee.
What is the state of Robbinsville Township? Why are you the best choice for council?
As township committeeman for 10 years and a councilman for the past four years, my record shows my ability to work effectively with the residents, mayor and council to serve the community.
During that time, I have been a member of many Township boards and sub-committees. Some accomplishments that I am most proud to have been a part of include nearly tripling the commercial ratable base, preserving almost 2,000 acres, working with the County to establish a senior citizen nutrition center and TRADE bus route, requiring background checks for anyone supervising our children, creating new parks and facilities for the recreational needs for residents of all ages, instituting a ban on pay-to-play, establishing a firearm discharge ordinance to prohibit guns from being discharged in or near residential neighborhoods and enacting rent control in the mobile home park.
Approximately two years ago, the commercial rateable base stabilized and started to grow. The sound planning and zoning policies and redevelopment implemented by the Council and Mayor have been critical components that have attracted Amazon, McKesson and many new small businesses as well as retained the existing businesses. These commercial businesses are not only generating jobs, they are also expanding the rateable base to help ensure the proper tax revenue balance between farmland, residential and commercial development within the Township.
If re-elected to another term on the Council, I would continue to build on this record and work constructively and proactively on initiatives that are in the best interest of our township.
Sheree McGowan
Years in the Township: 20
Occupation: Mercer County Board of Social Services; Human Services Specialist
Community Groups: Planning Board (4 years); Chair-Planning Board (2 years); Rent Control Board (3 years); Affordable Housing Committee (4 years); High School Referendum Committee (1 year)
What is the state of Robbinsville Township? Why are you the best choice for council?
Robbinsville is unequivocally one of the best places to live in Central New Jersey. Our town has grown significantly in the past 10-20 years, and we have struck the right balance between promoting the health and development of our small business community and vigorously defending the Township’s natural beauty and open space. Our schools are high-caliber, our municipal tax rate is stable, and our local government works effectively and efficiently.
I’ve worked closely with Mayor Fried to continue moving Robbinsville forward during my time on the Township Council. We’ve brought in new businesses and housing developments, making Town Center a model for suburban development in Mercer County, and enticed Fortune 500 companies like Amazon to call Robbinsville their home.
Having served for several years on the Council, I feel like my work is just beginning. My background in accounting and finance and my MBA, along with my experience with economic development and budgeting, enables me to look at things in a way that ensures we are fiscally responsible. I have worked on our redevelopment in the warehouse zone, culminating in Amazon and McKesson coming on board, and now am working on the redevelopment on the south side of Route 33.
There is much more to do in the next few years, and I’d appreciate voters’ support as I work to strengthen our business and community networks through my work on the council and with our economic development committee.
Dennis Shennard
Years in the Township: 16
Occupation: President and Owner of Groundmasters, Inc., a landscape construction company
Community Groups: Over 25 years as a volunteer firefighter; former member, Robbinsville Zoning Board of Adjustment; former member, township council, current member, planning board
What is the state of Robbinsville Township? Why are you the best choice for council?
Robbinsville has experienced continued growth in commercial rateable while those around us have stagnated. This success is reflective of the economic development efforts of Mayor Fried and those involved in the process. As a former zoning board chairman, former township councilman and current planning board member, I have led efforts to make Robbinsville an attractive place for businesses.
But it’s not all about economic development; it is also about creating a vibrant community, a great place to live for all of our families. Our recreation programs are second to none, and I appreciate that my children go to schools that do a fantastic job in preparing them for bright futures. I am proud to be a part of a community that provides opportunities for people to help others less fortunate, like the way we banded together during Hurricane Sandy.
I enjoyed my time on Council when I was selected to fill a temporary vacancy. I would like to come back to Council and continue to offer my ideas and experience. I am proud of my contributions to the town, and I worked very hard to do what I believe can make a difference.
For the future, I am concerned about Town Center South (the redevelopment area). While it’s great that Walgreens is there now, I believe that I can use my experience to get much more happening to complete the entire picture. I also intend to focus a great deal on making the Foxmoor Shopping Center a successful, complete shopping destination once again.
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