Three candidates will vie for two, three-year term seats on the Shamong Township Committee in the Nov. 4 election.
Republican incumbent Michael Di Croce – currently serving as mayor – and newcomer Michael Southwick will face Democratic newcomer Anastasia Zuccaro. Republican Committeeman Neil Wilkinson lost his bid for reelection in the primary.
Candidates were asked to complete questionnaires that have been lightly edited for space.
Name: Michael Di Croce
How many years have you lived in Shamong? 32
Education: Juris Doctorate, bachelor of science, Penn State University
Profession: Attorney/business owner
How many years/terms have you served as committee member? Approximately 10
Community involvement: I am actively involved in the community, serving as mayor, and a member of the Shamong Historical Society. I support and collaborate with our volunteer organizations, recognizing the vital role they play in serving our residents. I also make myself available and approachable to community members to listen to their concerns and work with them toward solutions.
Why are you running for reelection?Â
I am running because I believe government should work for the people, not burden them with high taxes and overreaching regulations. Also, we don’t need people from outside our community coming in with big-city money and trying to tell us how to live. Shamong’s strength comes from our own residents, our values, and our way of life, and that’s what I want to protect. My focus is on protecting personal freedoms, supporting our farmers and families and helping residents enjoy the best possible quality of life. I want to encourage new businesses to come to Shamong, keep Wharton State Park open and free, work toward lowering school taxes and keep our neighborhoods safe. Above all, I want to preserve what makes Shamong special— what I like to call our ‘little slice of heaven.’
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?Â
One of my top priorities is tackling ever-rising school and property taxes. They’ve become such a burden that we’re actually losing good neighbors who can no longer afford to stay here. That’s not acceptable. I’m committed to fighting to get these taxes under control and making Shamong more business friendly by cutting back unnecessary regulations. If we do that, we can ease the strain on families, keep our schools highly rated, our community strong, and create more opportunities right here in town. Another priority for me is finding a real solution to the loss of Shamong’s EMS. I’ll work to partner with an organization that can provide exactly that. Lastly, I will continue to fight the county’s proposed “roundabout” on Stokes and Willow Grove roads.
Name: Michael Southwick
Age: 67
How many years have you lived in Shamong? 29
Family: Wife, three children, four grandchildren
Education: BS in business, Glassboro State College
Profession: Retired sales manager for a beverage company
Is this the first time you’ve run for a township committee seat? Yes
Community involvement: Member of rent control, Pinelands Republican club, past Indian Mills Athletic Assocation (IMAA) coach and manager.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
To protect and improve the town that I am proud to live in. I have admired how Shamong is run and I will stand up for taxpayers and community values. I will fight to keep local taxes low. I will defend individual and property rights, keeping government small and out of your personal affairs. I am against the closure or restriction of access to Wharton State Forest. I will oppose unnecessary spending, like the $3-million dollar traffic circle are Willow Grove and Stokes roads. I am committed to respectful, responsive government and excellent service to residents.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I will concentrate on the interests of the taxpayers and what’s best for our community.
Name: Anastasia Zuccaro
Age: 59
How many years have you lived in Shamong? 12
Family: Married, two adult children.
Education: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, LIM College, New York.
Profession: Public affairs consultant
Is this the first time you’ve run for a township committee seat? Yes
Community involvement: With my service on various nonprofit boards – from arts and culture to health care and social service organizations – I have experience making difficult decisions and managing limited resources. As an interior designer, I thoroughly enjoyed helping clients achieve their goals while being mindful of budget constraints. As a public affairs consultant, I help advocate for causes I care about and help secure the resources necessary to achieve their missions.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Our high-quality schools, bucolic neighborhoods and access to top-notch health care and social services all contributed to our family choosing Shamong as our home. While Shamong has, for the most part, been run efficiently, efficiency is not always effective, and moving forward, it will no longer suffice. We can and must do better. Recently, the committee leadership went behind closed doors and terminated our EMS and rescue services. There was no public discussion or public engagement on how these critical services would be provided.Â
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I would plan to host quarterly community meetings in each of our four election districts. Openness and transparency will be one of my top priorities. I plan to foster stronger relationships with our neighboring communities and their leaders to expand and enhance services cost-effectively. I will collaborate with our county, state and federal officials – regardless of party affiliation – to ensure that residents can access the services they require.
