Paid for by Sean Elwell
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Sean's Vision: Getting Back to Basics, Foundation for our Future! When I first ran for office I was asked many times, “Why?” The answer then, and still today, is because I believe Elsinboro Township is one of the best communities in New Jersey. With your help we can continue to make Elsinboro Township the best place to live. According to the 2010 NJ Monthly Top Towns, Elsinboro Township is ranked number 39 (of 566) in the entire state. This represents a drastic improvement from the previous ranking of 227. While we continue to make strides to improve Elsinboro Township, we still have work to do. Over the years I have had the opportunity to not only share my vision for the township, but put my words into action by getting back to basics and practicing our ABCs (Affordability, Basics, and Communication). While there have been many challenges, there have also been many opportunities for the township committee to get back to basics. These accomplishments are the building blocks for sustaining our community for the future. A- Affordability- I have worked extremely hard in being fiscally responsible for Elsinboro Township. I will continue to work to keep Elsinboro Township’s municipal taxes at a manageable rate for our residents. Stabilizing taxes is where fiscal responsibility begins, but certainly not where it ends. I have consistently worked on ways to reduce the municipal budget and tax rate by exploring shared services, and eliminating wasteful spending. I will continue working with the county, state, and federal leaders for aid in road and building projects. Over the last several years I have successfully applied for many grants, which have had a direct benefit to Elsinboro Township. These grants helped fund programs that would otherwise not be possible. I will continue to apply for state and federal grants to keep necessary services and programs and help offset costs to our taxpayers. I understand that a large number of our residents live on a fixed income. That’s why keeping Elsinboro affordable to all residents remains at the top of my list. B- Basics- Let’s get back to basics. Just like every resident, we as elected officials need to continue to remember the basics. It is important to keep the programs and services that benefit the residents going, while not raising costs for our residents. We are fortunate to have a dependable police department, curbside trash pickup, and various other services we can offer to our residents all within a quiet, peaceful setting. We have been able to re-negotiate a police contract with a minimal increase, implement a new trash and recycle pick-up processes, and implement shared services for our municipal services, including with the clerk’s office. Thinking creatively and partnering with neighboring municipalities allows us to maintain the services we are all used to, while seeing a savings. Keeping Elsinboro Township as a rural community is of utmost importance to me. Not many rural communities can claim they offer the services that we do. I pledge to continue to provide the needed services to our residents, while keeping costs down. C- Communication- Effective communication is the key to all success. While communication may be listed as the third priority, it is certainly equally important as the first two. If we are not communicating with each other then we are setting ourselves up for failure. Communication is important not only between the committee members, but with the residents of Elsinboro Township. As a committeeman I am dedicated to working for you, the residents, and improving our communication. To improve communications I have continued my monthly office hours. On the first Monday of every month, from 6 – 7 pm, I am available at the municipal building so residents can voice their concerns and have their questions answered in person. In addition, I have given my cell phone number as the point of contact, so that I can be as accessible to every resident as often as possible. Over the years we have created methods for residents to be involved directly with the creation of ordinances for the municipality. I also am the founder of our Community Development Committee, which is directly responsible for our Elsinboro Community Days and Trunk or Treat events. In January 2011 we initiated our first community newsletter, which I write. This newsletter is distributed three times a year and is also available on our website. We unveiled our municipal website in an effort to make information more readily accessible, and continue to add and update the site regularly. I also have worked diligently to improve communication between Elsinboro Township and our county and state leaders. We have made many strides in improving communication on all fronts and this will continue to be one of my top priorities.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
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