Dan Hutchison

Democrat Fred Madden unseated an incumbent Republican State Senator four years ago by just 64 votes after the Camden County Democrats spend nearly $5 million on his campaign.

Now, Madden is unopposed in his bid for re-election to a second term. His Republican opponent, former Gloucester Township GOP Chairman John Jankowski, dropped out of the race on June 24, and so far, no new challenger her emerged.

Sen. Madden Has 2nd Chance To Stand Up For Gloucester Township

Perhaps the biggest upset of Tuesday's non-partisan municipal elections was in Gloucester Township, where Republican Cindy Rau-Hatton was elected Mayor in a close contest against a candidate backed by the Camden County Democratic machine. The incumbent, Sandra Love, did not seek re-election. Two Council candidates allied with Rau-Hatton won, including Dan Hutchison, a Republican who ran for Congress against Rob Andrews in 2004.

With a population of 64,350, Gloucteser Township is the largest town in the fourth legislative district, which was dominated by Republicans from 1991 until 2003. Rau-Hutton and Hucthison immediately become potential future candidates for the Legislature. The only municipality in the state with a Republican Mayor that is larger than Gloucester Township is Clifton (population 78,682), where James Anzaldi was re-elected yesterday.

Contact: Jeff Booker
856-366-9170

“STAND UP FOR GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP�
Nearly 4,000 Signatures on Petitions of Nomination to be Filed Today
MAYOR: CINDY RAU-HATTON

Council Persons-at-Large: DAN HUTCHISON
SHELLEY LOVETT
JACK CLOSE

Gloucester Township, March 16th-A groundswell of support from Gloucester Township citizens has been successful in encouraging community activist CINDY RAU-HATTON to run for Mayor of Gloucester Township. Joining Cindy are DAN HUTCHISON, SHELLEY LOVETT and JACK CLOSE for three seats on Gloucester Township Council. With a slogan of “Stand Up for Gloucester Township� this campaign will focus on public issues facing the 60,000+ citizens of this sprawling community. CINDY, DAN, SHELLEY and JACK have issued a Clean Campaign Pledge (no negative personal attacks), as well as a Campaign Expenditure Limit Proposal, (please see both attached, followed by candidate bios).

“I am proud to be associated with outstanding Council candidates Dan Hutchison, Shelley Lovett, and Jack Close on the nonpartisan STAND UP FOR GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP team,� said Mayoral Candidate Cindy Rau Hatton. “Together, we have voluntarily signed a Clean Campaign Pledge as well as a Campaign Expenditure Limit Proposal, and respectfully issue a call for all candidates to sign. As a candidate for Mayor, I want to send a clear signal that we will eliminate pay-to-play in Gloucester Township,� added Rau-Hatton.

“I will be an advocate for campaign reform,� added Council candidate Shelley Lovett. “It’s time to return to more voter interaction, knocking on doors, and attending community meetings. Through our words and example, Cindy Rau-Hatton, Dan Hutchison, Jack Close and I will STAND UP to curb the influence of big-money interests in Gloucester Township.�

“Gloucester Township needs new voices and a revival of spirit,� said running mate Dan Hutchison. “I believe the best hope for real reform is the election of the non-partisan STAND UP FOR GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP team. I am excited to join Cindy Rau-Hatton, Shelley Lovett, and Jack Close to bring about those needed changes.�

Council candidate Jack Close also commented: “I’ve always been somewhat fascinated and genuinely interested in government, but my recent experience working with my neighbors to save Valleybrook from further housing development has fueled my desire to serve on our local Council. I am proud to STAND UP with Cindy Rau-Hatton, Dan Hutchison and Shelley Lovett, to bring a much needed breath of fresh air to public service in Gloucester Township,� concluded Close.

CLEAN CAMPAIGN PLEDGE

Gloucester Township Mayoral candidate CINDY RAU-HATTON, and Council candidates DAN HUTCHISON, SHELLEY LOVETT, and JACK CLOSE have proposed a code not meant to discourage vigorous campaigns but rather to enhance trust in our political processes and to focus the campaign on Gloucester Township’s important issues rather than the negative campaigns previously witnessed in our township. As we face the May 9, 2006, election for Mayor and three members of Council, we call upon all candidates to sign our pledge.

HONESTY: Our spoken words and campaign materials will reflect truth. We will not engage in fraud or deception, or falsely portray our opponents. We will show integrity by not making promises which, knowingly, we do not intend to keep or cannot keep.

FAIRNESS: Our campaign strategies and plans will be directed to the qualifications, experience, record and policy stands of the opposition candidates. We will not engage in any personal attacks, and will behave in a courteous and respectful manner at all times.

OPEN ELECTION: We shall conduct our campaign in an open manner. Our campaign materials and public statements will be directed to educating the public on important issues and demonstrating our qualifications.

NO MORE “POLITICS AS USUAL�: We will take full responsibility for the quality of our campaign and for materials and statements made. We will not condone or allow third-party advertising which does not meet the principles in this Code.

Signed this 16th day of March, 2006
/s/ Cindy Rau-Hatton, Candidate for Mayor
/s/ Dan Hutchison, Candidate for Council
/s/ Shelley Lovett, Candidate for Council
/s/ Jack Close, Candidate for Council

CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE LIMIT PROPOSAL

Gloucester Township Mayoral candidate CINDY RAU-HATTON, along with Council candidates DAN HUTCHISON, SHELLEY LOVETT, and JACK CLOSE, strongly believe spending limits should be imposed to prevent the rise in the costs of elections and restrict the scope for undue influence and corruption so prevalent in our State, County, and local government. We call for all candidates to sign our proposal.

We recommend a Campaign Limit for Spending in the Gloucester Township Election to be held May 9, 2006, in an amount not to exceed $75,000 for all funds assisting each full slate of candidates. When citizens hear the enormous amounts of money spent in past campaigns, they often ask why there should be such a discrepancy in the amounts spent and the salaries of the positions sought. Our recommended amount answers our citizens concerns and will result in greater public confidence.

We base this recommended spending limit on the following: The total yearly salaries of the Mayor and three Council candidates is approximately $75,000.
(see attached Salary Ordinance)

We voluntarily sign this Campaign Expenditure Limit Proposal this 16th day of March, 2006.
/s/ Cindy Rau-Hatton, Candidate for Mayor
/s/ Dan Hutchison, Candidate for Council
/s/ Shelley Lovett, Candidate for Council
/s/ Jack Close, Candidate for Council

CINDY RAU-HATTON
315 Fairview Avenue, Blenheim, NJ 08012
Candidate for MAYOR
Gloucester Township

CINDY RAU-HATTON has resided, since age 3, in Gloucester Township, where she and her husband, Ed, live near her parents and brother in the Blenheim section of the township. Highly respected, hardworking, caring and knowledgeable, Cindy is eminently qualified to hold the position of Mayor of Gloucester Township.

Cindy is a graduate of Glassboro State College (Rowan University), with a B.A. in Education. She was an honor student at Highland Regional High School, Charles W. Lewis Middle School, and Blenheim Elementary School. She is a small business owner of Hatton School of Music.

Cindy’s wide-ranging list of community activities includes membership in the Concerned Citizens of Blenheim Civic Association, where she served as President; the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary; Gloucester Township Day volunteer; the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival; and Mainstage Center for the Arts.

Environmental issues are another interest of this Mayoral candidate. Cindy was a founding member and current director of Citizens Against a Radioactive Environment (C.A.R.E.). This organization received the “2004 Environmental Service Award� from the NJ Environmental Federation. Cindy is a member of the GEMS Citizens Task Force, an advocacy group of environmental leaders in South Jersey to monitor GEMS Superfund discharge and treatment of radioactive waste, advocate for stricter standards, and advocate for the remediation of Briar Lake (adjacent to the GEMS Superfund site), and the health and safety of sewer workers and surrounding communities.

With all of these activities, Cindy Rau-Hatton still finds time to attend all Council meetings and to assist residents in land use issues, such as Valleybrook, Blackwood Estates, and Wye Oaks. In 2005, Cindy spearheaded an effort to “Save Moffa’s Farm�, an historic farmhouse and 26 acre parcel of wooded property along the Timber Creek from development.

Cindy was on Gloucester Township Council from 1996 to 2000, where she served as Vice-President. She also served on the Gloucester Township Planning Board. Cindy has continued to issue periodic public interest newsletters to alert area residents on special concerns.

Many of Gloucester Township’s residents have been touched by Cindy Rau-Hatton’s helping hand and thorough research. No matter whether an issue is big or small, Cindy always treats citizens with respect.

SHELLEY LOVETT
742 Chatham Road, Broadmoor, Somerdale, NJ 08083
Candidate for Council
Gloucester Township

SHELLEY LOVETT and her family are 25 year residents of Gloucester Township. Shelley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from William Paterson College. She and her husband Ron have three sons, Scott, Mark and Jordan. All three boys attended Triton Regional High School, where Shelley was active with the Triton Music Association and the Triton Boys Soccer Booster Club. She is now active in the U. S. Naval Academy Parents Club of New Jersey. Shelley has been involved with many athletic organizations in Gloucester Township, and was a founder and former coach of Highland Youth Soccer Club. Shelley served as a Gloucester Township Council Member from 1996 to 2000, and formerly served as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Human Relations Committee.

DAN HUTCHISON
52 Sofia Drive
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Candidate for Council
Gloucester Township

DAN HUTCHISON has resided in Gloucester Township for almost a decade. Dan and his wife, Karen, are the proud parents of four young children, Kaitlyn, Shawn, Nick and Brian. Dan is a super-achiever. At Overbrook Regional High School in Lindenwold, Dan went to the state championships in wrestling and track. He received dual degrees in Accounting and Finance from Rider University. He passed the CPA exam, and then continued his education at Widener School of Law. He is presently in private law practice in nearby Woodbury. Dan serves as a volunteer public defender in Clayton, and served as a volunteer public advocate for parents involved with The Division of Youth and Family Services. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Salvation Army. Dan has coached and sponsored a Youth T-ball team. He has served as a Commissioner for an Intramural Soccer League, as a Tiger Scout Leader, and will be speaking to area schools regarding financial counseling and awareness.

JACK CLOSE
75 LaCosta Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Candidate for Council
Gloucester Township

JACK CLOSE and his family have resided in Gloucester Township for 18 years. Jack is a graduate of LaSalle University, and was a District Sales Manager for Proctor & Gamble for 22 years, before establishing his present printing sales company. He and his wife Anna have two adult daughters (one a Special Education Teacher and the other a Nurse). Jack is an active volunteer – he was a founder of the Katie Kirlin Foundation for Wheelchair Activities for Youth. He is active with the Lourdes Wellness Center and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of the Delaware Valley. Jack is also a Eucharist Minister at St. Luke’s Parish