First Candidate Forum Q & A With Michael Lynch

Our first candidate forum is with Michael Lynch. Michael is running for the vacant Town Council seat in the upcoming election. Michael is married and has two children ages 11 and 7. He is an active coach in Marlton Rec. I conducted a cyber interview with Michael and he responded to the questions I've posed. I am reprinting his answers verbatim.

Marlton Needs Sports Fields: Explain why you think you are a good candidate for council and what do you see as the biggest challenges facing Evesham?

Michael Lynch:
There are many issues facing our community: high property taxes, wasteful spending, poor recreation facilities, etc. Addressing these issues is very important to sustaining the quality of life here in Evesham, however, as with any problem we must go to the root cause if we are to have real success. I believe the root cause is a lack of leadership in our local government. A great leader has two key attributes, competency and character. The incumbent politicians have shown by their actions or failure to take action that they lack both. The political agenda of the day is what drives their decisions, not the needs of the people. As a member of council I will embrace my role as a leader and provide a voice for my fellow residents. I will set priorities and have a vision that goes beyond the next election. I will fight to protect our community from the political corruption and waste that is taxing us out of our homes and eroding our quality of life. The biggest challenge facing Evesham right now is fiscal stability. Politicians have wasted our tax dollars and incurred credit card like debt. The examples are plentiful, the Taj Mahal country club, a $5 million bus garage, purchasing of already preserved open space, pay-to-play contracts and election year tax gimmicks like deferring $8 million in school taxes are just a few of the examples. The first step to solving this problem is to stop the bleeding!

MNSF:With regard to Marlton Recreation and our quest for new fields, what ideas do you have for funding the construction of new fields and where would you like to see them built?

ML:
First of all we must open the lines of communication between the township, school board, rec. council and the neighborhoods affected by field activities. All have a stake in the improvement and development of our recreation facilities. By communication I mean listening not just talking. We must take care in planning not just for today but for tomorrow. The source of funding improvements should include the Open Space Recreation Trust Fund as well as fundraising, grants etc. By putting a stop to wasteful spending such as pay-to-play contracts we should be able to include facility improvements in School and Township budgets without placing a significant burden on the taxpayers. We should look at ways to improve existing facilities as well as developing land that has been purchased through the trust fund. Although development of much of the land that council has purchased is limited by wet lands and pineland protection, we must maximize the use of these tracks so that the money we as taxpayers have approved for open space and recreation is not a total waste. Its all about setting priorities, with 8,000 kids in our recreation programs, safe and adequate facilities must be a top priority. We cannot fix the problem overnight but we must start now, as taxpayers, parents and coaches we deserve better!

MNSF: A major issue facing the township is the annual drain on our budget by the Indian Springs Golf Course and clubhouse. What would be the course of action you will take to lessen the financial burden?

ML:
Clearly the Indian Spring Country Club debacle has been a significant drain on our tax dollars. What is more disturbing is the fact that the politicians allowed the problem to continue for nearly five years. Not only did they raid our Open Space Recreation Trust Fund of $750 K, but they delayed taking steps toward fixing the problem. Political patronage was allowed to run ramped the entire time! Thanks to pressure applied by the tax payers, a private management company has been brought in to run the golf course. Despite what we are being told, the fiscal stability of the golf course is at best fragile; we must keep a watchful eye and take immediate action to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Under my leadership political agendas will not be allowed to get in the way of responsible fiscal decisions.

Part two of this interview will take place in the next few days. I will also contact Bonnie Olt, Mr. Lynch's opponent and offer her the opportunity to answer the questions I've posed to Michael Lynch. I f you have any questions you'd like to ask, please leve them in the comments section or e-mail to me at sswenviron@comcast.net.