Politics & Government

Candidate Questionnaire: Hugh Keffer

Incumbent candidate addresses issues in questionnaire.

Springfield Patch asked the two candidates vying for the open seat on the Township Committee to answer a series of questions about their campaigns and Springfield. The candidates were asked the same questions. Incumbent candidate and Democrat Hugh Keffer's responses are below. 

Why are you running for office? Why should people vote for you?

I want our town to run better. I want people to feel free to come to committee meetings, share their ideas and feel a part of the process for making a better town. This past year, we had more meetings, better attendance at meetings, and better input. We started public broadcasts and, when the meetings were done, people stayed to speak with each other and share ideas.

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You and your opponent have both served the Township for a year as Mayor. Of what accomplishment are you most proud from your tenure?

I am most proud of the performance of our uniformed services during Hurricane Irene and the October snow storm. There is a term to describe the people who make up the foundation of a town—bedrock. The Police, Firefighters, Auxiliary Police and First Aid Squad of our town make up the bedrock of our public life.  In each department we moved forward this year. The Police Department ended oversight by the Prosecutor’s Office and saw the promotion of a new Chief. The Career and Volunteer Fire Department started in-house training programs, hit performance targets for fire inspections and kept up a busy schedule of firefighting and first aid responses. The Auxiliary Police were out in every natural disaster and on regular duty. The First Aid Squad has become a regular contributor to Public Safety meetings of the Committee and is currently working on plans to expand services in town.  All of the services deserve our thanks and appreciation for their service to the community.

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What are the most pressing public safety issues facing Springfield and how would you address them if elected?

Our infrastructure faces important challenges that we must address. Flood controls, storm water management, sanitary sewer capacity, bridges, electrical equipment and service are just some of the areas currently undergoing a thorough review. The infrastructure issues requires years of planning and commitment on a regional and State wide basis.

What are the most pressing economic issues facing Springfield and how would you address them if elected?

There is a structural problem with property taxes. If we want to retain and attract families, then we need to create value in the tax base. This year, we went to Trenton to get a variance from new environmental regulations that all but killed the possibility of redeveloping in the Morris Avenue business district. Estimates are that the Morris Avenue district could produce $1 million in revenue each year if we get the variance and property owners do tear downs and rebuilds.


What’s the best thing about Springfield?

The people of Springfield are the best thing about Springfield.  No matter what neighborhood I’ve gone through during campaign season, no matter what concerns people have expressed, I have uniformly heard good things from residents about their neighborhood. It tells me a lot when I hear that people care about each other, when I see that children who grew up in town have returned to town to start their own families.


What is the biggest challenge facing Springfield?

With increasingly restrictive budget caps slowly taking effect, we will have to think hard about what is central to town government’s mission.  In my opinion, the central function of town government is public safety. Programs that fall furthest from that core face the greatest burden of explaining their continuing relevance. In the near term, we have to look at our recreation programs. The Chisholm Recreation Center, pool and Sarah Bailey Civil Center will have to attract residents and build value in order to compete for ever decreasing public funding. In the coming year, we will need a task force to explore and develop proposals. 

What is the most important difference between you and your opponent?

I believe there are major differences between my opponent and myself; in the depth of our relationships in the community, our focus and our management style.

I have a thriving law practice. I’ve raised three children and watched them go through the school system. Along the way, I have developed a working relationship with the School Board, civic groups and others. I have served in public office as a Prosecutor. I’ve served on the planning board. I own a home and pay property taxes.

I believe you have to let people do their jobs and hold them responsible for reaching performance goals. My opponent believes in personally supervising the township employees.  This is micro-managing when, under our form of government, we have a Township Administrator charged with that responsibility. By micro-managing, my opponent conveys a sense that he has no confidence in the professionals or the Administrator.

My opponent does not own property and so receives no property tax bill.* He has no children in the school system. He has never coached a team. As Mayor last year, he ran government as he saw fit and not within the limits placed on a Township Committee by law. He has had two run-ins with the legal system most recently being named in a civil rights lawsuit. These weaknesses can be overcome, but they will require more maturity than I believe he has shown in the last four years.

What is the best thing you believe your opponent has done for Springfield?

Mr. Shehady did podcast township committee meetings during the year even after we began to broadcast on television. He did this out of a sense of service to the community. His work with Veterans groups is admirable. During Tropical Storm Irene, he arranged for a food delivery to our shelter at the Chisholm Recreation Center. I have personally thanked him for his assistance when he has given it. I have also told him those things that he has done that upset me. 

Editor's Note: After the initial publication of this article, I received the following note from Mr. Keffer: In my statement to you, I wrote that my opponent is unemployed. I was wrong in making that statement. Mr. Shehady is employed. We have spoken with him regarding my mistake. I apologize for the error and any embarrassment it may cause. The text has been changed to reflect the note. -AB 

 


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