Three Republican candidates, including two incumbents, will vie for the two committee seats on the Shamong Township Committee in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The candidates are incumbents Brian Woods and Christopher Zehnder, who is serving as deputy mayor, and David Diamond. All were asked to submit an election questionnaire. As of deadline, Diamond and Zehnder had not responded.
Name: Brian Woods
Age: 34
How many years have you lived in Shamong? Five
Family: Married with one child. My wife’s name is Deidre Woods and my son’s name is Walker Woods. He just turned one.
School and degree: Rowan University – bachelor’s degree in journalism
Profession: Chief of Staff to Sen. Latham Tiver and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi in the 8th Legislative District. I was a journalist from graduation until 2017, when I left to be the communications director to past Assemblyman Ryan Peters.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for Township Committee? I am running for my second term. I am currently in my third year on Township Committee.
What is your involvement in the community? Aside from the Township Committee, I have a son that attends the wonderful Education Station in town. I also volunteer on the Greater Philly YMCA board, which covers Burlington and Camden Counties and provides services to countless children and adults in Burlington. In my role as chief of staff at the 8th Legislative District, I’ve worked with Shamong and its schools to support grant applications, advocate for local legislation and support the local business community. And, generally, I love attending town fundraisers and events like the Thanksgiving 5k, Valenzano Winefest, Indian Mills Fire Company coin drop, and more.
Why are you running for an elected seat? The simplest answer for why I’m running for a second term is that I love Shamong. I’ve lived in several towns in North and South Jersey throughout my childhood and 20s, and none of them come close to what we have here. Shamong is a diamond in the coal mine of a state that has become filled with rules, regulations and overcrowding. I want to serve so I can keep the town the way it is. We have a culture of neighbors helping neighbors and personal freedom.
The best thing I can do as an elected official is keep the government small, avoid enacting any new rules or regulations, preserve open space, and, most importantly, be a kind, helping hand to any resident in need.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? Farming. It is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to exist in New Jersey with developments pushing against farm land and taxes and regulations creating an expensive business environment for the people who grow our food. They need as many voices in government as possible to push back on market forces that are squeezing them out. We would all benefit from eating more healthy and locally grown food. I want to continue to be a voice that stands up for local farmers and listens to their issues.
A close second would be recreation. I’d love to see a park like Dingletown grow on its successes and continue to get attention, like a finished walking trail, waste bins, etc. Dingletown means a lot to the community and the children in town, and everybody loves having a beautiful town park.
