Suggested Use of Candidate Pages & Project Disclaimer
Note: There are a few ways to use this page. It mixes objective source material with light analysis and first-hand reporting so voters can choose their depth.
How to get the most out of this candidate page
- Start with the Quick Summary. Click the Quick Summary button underneath the websites section. It gives you the fast take: what we know from sources + brief analysis from a “data collector / local reporter” point of view.
- Scan the objective sources. If you want more data, jump into the source material we’ve collected:
- Official campaign website (if available)
- Social media pages and posts (if available)
- Interviews (video/audio) and transcripts (if available)
- Check the agenda & positions. Look for the candidate’s stated agenda and issue stances. We try to group them plainly so you can compare across candidates quickly.
- Read the Transparency/Accessibility rating. For a deeper look at how transparent the candidate has been (web presence, interviews, follow-ups, meet n greets) and how communicative they've been in response to outreach, see the rating and its short explanation. This helps you understand what’s easy to find and who is easy to contact.
- Use the page as a multi-layered hub. If you 'just want the facts', stick to the source documents. If you want opinions about transparency, accessibility, and communication, check the transparency meter. If you want coverage somewhere in between, like interviews that range from introductory to moderately pressing, watch the interviews. Choose your own adventure.
Where we add context or opinion, it’s to help busy voters make sense of gaps in local information. Not everyone has time to be a volunteer politico.
Dan Dixon
Websites
Quick Summary
Dan Dixon is a lifelong Millville resident, business owner, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach running for Millville City Commission in the 2025 election. With decades of experience in sales, marketing, and team leadership, as well as advanced degrees in exercise science and human performance, Dixon brings a research-driven, business-minded approach to city government.
His top priority is tackling crime as the foundation for Millville’s revitalization, proposing a detailed 10-point plan that includes hiring more police officers, reestablishing the Crime Task Force, targeting nuisance properties, and implementing proactive community safety measures. He also emphasizes creative strategies for increasing city revenue—such as aggressive code enforcement, Special Improvement Districts, and a dedicated commercial property platform—to attract businesses and grow the local economy.
Positioning himself as a fresh voice unbound by political games, Dixon pledges transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to making Millville a safer, stronger, and more prosperous city.
This election is on November 4th, 2025
Videos
Dan Dixon: Millville City Commission Campaign Presentation (PowerPoint)
📋 Click here for full presentation summary 📋
In this ~21-minute campaign presentation, Millville City Commission candidate Dan Dixon introduces his background as a third-generation Millville resident, small-business owner, and longtime coach/instructor. He traces a path from sales/marketing management to founding Impact Fitness & Martial Arts (2007–present), highlighting relationship-building, revenue generation, and team leadership.
Core Thesis:
Millville needs a proactive “standard-bearer” who can sell and market the city, build relationships with developers, and make it easier to do business here. Dixon pairs that with a public-safety focus, arguing that crime reduction and economic development must move together.
Public Safety & Code Tools:
He points to a 10-point crime plan leveraging code enforcement, nuisance-property designations, and landlord accountability to target a small core of repeat offenders. The goal is to stabilize neighborhoods so families feel safe and investment can follow.
Economic Development & Ease of Doing Business:
Dixon proposes a dedicated portal—“MillvilleMeansBusiness.org”—with a step-by-step guide, a business liaison, and a live inventory of city-owned and private commercial properties. He emphasizes proactive outreach to firms planning expansions and prioritizing higher-wage employers.
Closing Message:
Rejecting the idea that Millville is a “lost cause,” Dixon calls for disciplined policy, consistent marketing, and community involvement. He invites residents to events, asks for support, and frames service as a net sacrifice undertaken out of commitment to the city.
⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳
Presentation Summary – Dan Dixon
This table highlights the key topics covered in the presentation, summarizing major takeaways per section.
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 0:01 | Intro & family roots | Third-generation Millville resident; husband, father, grandfather; many know him through Impact Fitness & Martial Arts. |
| 2:04 | Education | Undergrad/grad work in exercise science; two master’s degrees; certifications; currently in a PhD program with dissertation planned after campaign duties. |
| 3:35 | Career path | Sales/marketing and management in horticulture; founded and operates gym (since 2007); emphasizes revenue generation, budgeting, promotion. |
| 4:44 | Volunteer leadership | Directed church drama; experience organizing and motivating volunteers—useful for coalition-building and civic projects. |
| 5:26 | Why he’s ready to lead | Identifies gap: Millville lacks a “standard-bearer” to sell/market the city and forge outside partnerships; positions himself as a relationship builder. |
| 7:20 | Engagement & research | Watched commission meetings for two years; spent recent weeks interviewing staff, department heads, former officials, and community leaders. |
| 9:21 | Public safety focus | 10-point plan using code enforcement, nuisance-property tools, and landlord accountability; targets a small core of repeat offenders harming neighborhoods. |
| 12:26 | Business portal proposal | MillvilleMeansBusiness.org concept: step-by-step process, dedicated liaison, property inventory (city & private), and investor-friendly navigation. |
| 14:55 | Crime ↔ Development linkage | Economic growth and crime reduction are interdependent; both must be pursued in tandem to restore stability and attract investment. |
| 17:02 | Personal story & vision | Childhood freedom vs. current safety concerns; cites Rome, GA as a downtown model with disciplined standards and active management. |
| 19:00 | Policy levers & ordinances | Notes permissible limits on behaviors (e.g., blocking entries, camping, traffic-distraction in intersections) alongside free-speech protections. |
| 20:25 | Closing call to action | Rejects “lost cause” mindset; invites residents to events, yard signs, and participation; frames service as commitment over pay. |
Dan Dixon: Meet-and-Greet Speech (Public Safety First)
📋 Click here for full speech summary 📋
At this meet-and-greet, Millville City Commission candidate Dan Dixon lays out a clear priority: public safety before (and alongside) economic development. He argues investors won’t commit serious dollars without visible safety improvements and says the city has had the sequence backwards.
Police Staffing & Retention:
Dixon notes the hiring lag (academy + field training ≈ ~10 months) and emphasizes retention as the immediate pain point. He cites step-pay gaps of roughly $15–20k compared to Vineland that pull officers away and calls for getting sworn strength to ~85 and keeping it there.
Code Enforcement & Nuisance Properties:
He urges aggressive use of nuisance-property tools (e.g., citations after qualifying calls within 90 days), pushing for trials in absentia, bench warrants, and—per a newer state statute—rolling unpaid fines into the tax bill (not just a lien) to trigger foreclosure if ignored. Goal: make negligent landlords more selective and accountable.
Focus on Repeat Offenders & Youth Prevention:
Dixon frames a three-prong approach: (1) law enforcement pressure on a relatively small group (≈200–300) driving most violence and disorder; (2) nuisance-property enforcement to disrupt hot spots; (3) prevention with community partners (e.g., inner-city youth outreach) to redirect kids before they choose the wrong path.
Illegal Bikes/ATVs & Pursuit Limits:
He proposes a drone program to identify and seize illegal bikes/ATVs (with unclaimed vehicles destroyed after a hold period), noting state-level pursuit restrictions on traffic infractions limit MPD’s options.
Closing:
Dixon rejects fatalism about Millville’s future, asks residents to spread the word, grab yard signs, and push for policies—and statewide leadership—that support law enforcement and neighborhood stability.
⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳
Speech Summary – Dan Dixon (Meet-and-Greet)
This table highlights key sections of the speech with the main takeaways.
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | Opening & vision | Thanks supporters; signals alignment with like-minded candidates; points audience to detailed platform on his website. |
| 1:08 | Public safety mandate | Poll: ~60/70 respondents prioritize public safety; argument that safety must precede meaningful investment. |
| 1:55 | Economy vs. safety sequencing | Investors won’t put $100k–$250M into a city perceived unsafe; city’s had the order backwards. |
| 2:27 | Hiring lag reality | New officers take ~6 months academy + ~4 months FTO; election-year hiring should’ve started years earlier. |
| 3:00 | Retention & pay steps | Vineland pays ~$15–20k more at higher steps; calls for step parity to stop “bleeding out” officers; target ~85 officers. |
| 4:46 | Recent violence example | High Street shooting underscores why “gang vs. gang” still endangers the public; safety issues are everyone’s concern. |
| 5:22 | Nuisance property strategy | Use ordinance (≥5 qualifying calls/90 days) to cite owners; push trials in absentia, bench warrants, license suspensions for no-shows. |
| 6:21 | Turning fines into taxes | New state path: roll unpaid nuisance fines into the tax bill (not just a lien), enabling foreclosure if unpaid. |
| 7:28 | Repeat-offender focus | Estimates ~200–300 individuals drive most problems; majority of residents want peaceful neighborhoods like anyone else. |
| 8:48 | Three-prong approach | Law enforcement pressure + nuisance enforcement + youth prevention via partners (e.g., JT Burks) to change the trajectory. |
| 9:53 | Funding/pay fixes | Hints at near-term options to adjust step pay; parallel track on economic development once safety stabilizes. |
| 10:19 | Drone program proposal | Use drones to locate illegal bikes/ATVs for seizure; unclaimed vehicles destroyed after 90 days—deterrence effect. |
| 11:41 | Pursuit restrictions | Notes state AG use-of-force policy limits pursuits for traffic infractions; argues for statewide leadership supportive of policing. |
| 12:14 | Close & call to action | Encourages questions, sign-ups, and yard signs; asks attendees to spread the word and stay engaged. |
Dan Dixon on JT Burks’ “Run for Millville Commission Series” (Interview)
📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋
Background & community role: Dan Dixon—owner of Impact Fitness & Martial Arts for ~20 years—coaches BJJ, sports performance, and personal training. A lifelong Millville resident (age 55), he returned to school later in life, finishing a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees in exercise science and clinical human performance, and is currently pursuing a PhD. He highlights mentoring youth and how jiu-jitsu helps students and adults with anxiety, confidence, and community.
Why he’s running: Dixon says Millville is at a turning point on public safety and neighborhood stability. He argues most residents want peace, while a relatively small group (~200–300 people) drives much of the disorder. His goal is that everyone feels safe enough to live, work, and invest in Millville—linking safety with economic revitalization on High Street and beyond.
Three-prong approach: (1) Law enforcement pressure on repeat offenders and open-air drug markets; (2) Nuisance property enforcement and landlord accountability to cool hot spots; (3) Youth prevention with community partners (like Coach JT) to reach kids before they choose the wrong path.
Homelessness & downtown experience: Dixon stresses compassion and services for people who want help, while protecting customers and shop owners from harassment (e.g., panhandling during lunch). He wants clearer coordination with the county on outreach and shelter options, noting the tension between addiction, program rules, and public space impacts.
Governance style & tone: He calls for less toxic Facebook politics and more direct, helpful communication (e.g., privately flagging filing issues). If elected, he wants the Commission to set a practical 30/60/90-day plan and a 2-year horizon focused on measurable outcomes that improve residents’ daily lives.
Values & pledge: Dixon cites the Golden Rule, parental role models, and “character education” in schools as cultural supports for safer neighborhoods. Politically, he’s a registered Republican who identifies as more libertarian (“freedom until it infringes on others’ rights”). He pledges to serve one term (four years) and step aside if he can’t show clear results.
⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳
Interview Summary – Dan Dixon x JT Burks
This table highlights key sections of the conversation with main takeaways.
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | Intro | JT introduces the “Run for Millville Commission Series” and guest Dan Dixon. |
| 0:15 | Background & credentials | 20 years running Impact Fitness; BJJ/MMA coaching; bachelor’s + two master’s in exercise science; pursuing PhD. |
| 3:00 | Mentoring youth | JT describes Dixon as a father-figure/mentor; Dixon hosts kids to experience jiu-jitsu and constructive activities. |
| 7:45 | Why run & safety focus | Millville at a turning point; a small group (~200–300) drives most problems; residents deserve safety and stability. |
| 12:10 | Three-prong plan | Law enforcement on repeat offenders; nuisance-property enforcement; youth prevention via partners like JT. |
| 14:28 | Downtown models | Example from Rome, GA: diverse, thriving downtown anchored by strict anti-crime posture—what Millville could be. |
| 16:02 | Homelessness & businesses | Balance compassion/services with safe customer experience (e.g., panhandling at lunch at El Guacamole). |
| 18:05 | Libertarian-leaning view | “Freedom until it infringes on others’ rights”; cites anti-camping ordinance and the need to protect storefronts. |
| 20:19 | Civility over toxicity | Golden Rule; avoid Facebook gotchas—privately help candidates fix compliance instead of public call-outs. |
| 21:58 | 30/60/90-day planning | Commission should set concrete milestones and evaluate if actions tangibly improve daily life in Millville. |
| 26:00 | Character education | Advocates values/character curricula to support parental gaps; cites research on crime reduction benefits. |
| 27:58 | Results-first pledge | Results mindset from business; promises only one term if progress isn’t clear in four years. |
| 30:37 | Closing | Mutual appreciation; call to vote; emphasis on shared responsibility and small actions (Golden Rule). |
Transparency/Accessibility Rating: Above Average (Trending Up)
Explanation
Dan Dixon has taken meaningful steps to make himself accessible and transparent as a candidate for Millville City Commission. His campaign website goes further than most of his peers by outlining his platform in detail, giving voters a clear sense of his priorities and values. He has also scheduled a meet-and-greet in the coming weeks, signaling a willingness to show up in person and take questions directly from the community. When I spoke with him by phone, he was responsive and straightforward: he acknowledged my questionnaire, explained he needed more time to prepare thoughtful answers, and made it clear he intends to follow through before moving into interviews.
That balance—having some strong public-facing materials while also asking for a little breathing room on deeper questions—puts Dixon in a position that is better than average, but still shy of the highest standard. And to note, the overwhelming amount of candidates in the county don’t reach top tier, because recent elections have raised the bar. Whether it’s Donald Trump doing a 3-hour podcast or Steven Fulop outlining 70 pages of policy, there are possibilities that go beyond the status quo of local politics. That being said, Dixon’s approach strongly suggests a candidate who values transparency and accessibility but is taking his time to make sure he does it the right way. In a county where voters too often get surface-level campaign blurbs, even this level of preparation already moves him into the “above average” category.
The question is what happens next. If Dixon follows through on his plan to complete the questionnaire, sit for interviews, and keep building a two-way channel with the public, he could easily rise into the top tier of transparency. The groundwork is there: he’s already engaging online, scheduling in-person events, and picking up the phone when asked. The next step is checking the remaining “beyond status quo” boxes. Sometimes it’s not about the individual candidate, but pushing the county towards a higher standard.
For now, Dixon earns an above-average transparency rating, with clear momentum toward the top tier. If he keeps building on what he has started, he could set a new expectation for what candidate accessibility looks like in Millville.
Events
Overall Agenda and Positions
-
Public Safety and Crime Reduction
Dan Dixon’s top priority is addressing crime as the foundation for Millville’s revitalization. He argues that economic growth is impossible without first making Millville safer for families and businesses.
His 10-point plan for public safety includes:
- Hiring 10–15 additional police officers to fully staff the department.
- Reestablishing the Crime Task Force to target violent crime, drug activity, and gangs.
- Deploying mobile or semi-permanent precincts in high-crime areas.
- Passing a content-neutral traffic safety ordinance to address standing in high-traffic areas and enforcing private property panhandling restrictions.
- Holding slumlords accountable for unsafe and nuisance properties through stricter penalties and enforcement.
- Seizing and redeveloping long-abandoned or non-compliant properties.
- Working with regional partners to relocate homeless individuals to facilities with appropriate resources.
- Implementing drug, anti-gang, and crime prevention education programs in schools.
- Placing limits on new affordable housing development to prevent over-concentration and strain on city resources.
- Collaborating with county, state, and federal agencies to dismantle drug networks in Millville.
-
Economic Development and Revenue Growth
Dixon believes revitalizing Millville requires both improving safety and creatively increasing city revenues without overburdening taxpayers.
His proposals include:
- Developing a city-managed commercial property platform to attract businesses and showcase Millville’s advantages.
- Establishing Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) to fairly assess properties that disproportionately use city resources, reinvesting funds into security, beautification, and infrastructure.
- Implementing aggressive code enforcement to hold absentee landlords accountable, generate fine revenue, and improve property values over time.
- Partnering with private and public entities to foster economic growth through strategic redevelopment and targeted incentives.
-
Leadership Philosophy
Dixon positions himself as a candidate with a fresh, business-oriented perspective rather than a career politician. He emphasizes openness, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving as his guiding principles for city governance.
He sees Millville’s challenges as requiring bold, creative action and invites residents to share ideas to shape solutions together.
Background and Campaign Message
My mission is simple: to make Millville safer, stronger, and more appealing for residents, businesses, and visitors. I believe transparency and accountability are critical to rebuilding trust in local government, and I am committed to openly sharing my plans, progress, and challenges with the public.
I bring decades of experience in business leadership, team management, and community engagement, along with advanced academic training in evidence-based problem-solving. My passion for helping individuals and organizations achieve their potential drives my vision for Millville’s future: a thriving, secure, and prosperous city we can all be proud to call home.
Educational Background
- Studied Physical Education at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University)
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Concordia University, St. Paul
- Master’s Degrees in Exercise Science and Clinical Human Performance
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences
Experience
Professional and Business Leadership
-
Nursery Industry Leadership
Over 15 years of management roles with large national nurseries, including Sales Manager, Purchasing Manager, Brokerage Manager, and Customer Service Manager. In 1997, Dixon founded his own nursery sales business, gaining firsthand experience in marketing, budgeting, and client relations. -
Fitness and Martial Arts
Opened a gym in 2007, training law enforcement officers in defensive tactics and coaching athletes to championship levels in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Currently a 4th-degree black belt candidate and the highest-ranking BJJ coach in the region.
Community Engagement
Dixon has trained police officers in defensive tactics for over 20 years and worked with individuals from all walks of life to achieve personal and professional growth through fitness, mentorship, and discipline.