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Thomas McGinty
Videos
Red Advertising Podcast Interview
📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋
In this extended podcast interview, Thomas McGinty—candidate for Millville City Commissioner—speaks with Red Advertising about his background, leadership style, and practical vision for Millville. Drawing on decades as a geologist and environmental regulator, along with frontline experience as a corrections officer, McGinty frames himself as a “nuts and bolts” problem-solver focused on safety, cleanup, and redevelopment.
Industrial Roots & Redevelopment Readiness:
McGinty ties Millville’s past to its future: from Wheaton Glass and heavy industry to modern redevelopment opportunities. He emphasizes hazardous site remediation, rail and gas access, and the possibility of data-center or industrial reuse—especially at the Wheaton property—as the engine to restore ratables and attract employers.
Public Safety, Addiction, & Accountability:
He repeatedly returns to safety as the precondition for growth—supporting more officers and stronger prosecutorial follow-through. Addiction and homelessness are described as cyclical, statewide problems that require services and clear accountability to reduce crime and improve quality of life.
Maurice River & Underused Tourism Assets:
McGinty argues Millville has a tourism backbone hiding in plain sight—birding, fishing, and eco-tourism along the Maurice River and open spaces. With cleanup and basic order, he believes these assets can meaningfully contribute to downtown recovery.
Leadership Philosophy:
He calls for “gutsy” leadership that stops recycling failed approaches, prioritizes teamwork, and tells the truth about what’s not working. He respects the current mayor’s energy but says he’s better suited to be a hands-on commissioner focused on operations and results.
Personal Resilience & Service:
From Eagle Scout lessons to mentoring youth projects—and even while battling cancer—McGinty underscores lifelong learning, civic duty, and a willingness to “call things out” when necessary. He wants Millville treated like an investment worth fighting for, not a political prize.
Final Thoughts:
If you want a substantive, ground-level case for how cleanup, safety, and infrastructure can restore Millville’s economy, this conversation provides a clear look at McGinty’s priorities and the experience he believes will help deliver them.
⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳
Interview Summary – Thomas McGinty
This table highlights the key topics covered in the interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 – 3:30 | Early Millville & Wheaton Glass | Grew up in Millville; summer work at Wheaton Glass gave first-hand insight into the city’s industrial base and economic shifts. |
| 3:30 – 10:00 | Family Legacy & Skilled Labor | Father’s mold-making career instilled respect for craftsmanship, precision, and industrial problem-solving. |
| 10:00 – 18:30 | Corrections Experience | After ~20 years at DEP, moved into corrections; learned leadership under pressure, teamwork, and people management. |
| 18:30 – 24:30 | Defining Geology | Geology as a broad, practical field tied to cleanup, redevelopment, and planning—highly relevant to Millville’s challenges. |
| 24:30 – 33:30 | Cleanup Work (Rollins & others) | Led hazardous site cleanups; shows ability to navigate bureaucracy and deliver results in complex regulatory settings. |
| 33:30 – 42:00 | Wheaton Property Remediation | Oversaw costly remediation; sees the site as a prime redevelopment opportunity if final hurdles are cleared. |
| 42:00 – 45:10 | Desantis Group Involvement | Credits progress on demolition/recycling; notes remaining legal obstacles. |
| 45:10 – 50:20 | Industrial Reuse & Infrastructure | Highlights rail and gas access; potential for data centers/industrial tenants to restore tax base. |
| 50:20 – 57:00 | Maurice River & Eco-Tourism | Argues the riverfront and open spaces are underused; birding/fishing can be real economic drivers. |
| 57:00 – 1:01:00 | Sports Identity | Millville’s athletic legacy (e.g., Mike Trout, Isiah Pacheco) as a cultural asset and point of civic pride. |
| 1:01:00 – 1:12:00 | Glass Decline & Arts District | Explains the downturn and calls the Arts District a “failed project” overall, despite some successes. |
| 1:12:00 – 1:14:30 | Commitment to Millville | At 66, rooted and invested; staying to help lead revitalization. |
| 1:14:30 – 1:20:00 | Safety, Kids, Quality of Life | Unsafe pockets and struggling youth impede growth; safety is foundational. |
| 1:20:00 – 1:23:30 | Addiction & Homelessness | Sees cyclical struggles and crime links; calls for services with accountability and consequences. |
| 1:23:30 – 1:28:00 | What He’d Do Differently | Prioritize remediation, revitalization, and infrastructure to attract investment. |
| 1:28:00 – 1:32:00 | Leadership Philosophy | Wants “gutsy” leaders, teamwork, and an end to recycled failures. |
| 1:32:00 – 1:36:00 | Election Dynamics | With 20+ candidates, urges voters to choose real leaders, not political “teams.” |
| 1:36:00 – 1:41:00 | Investment vs. Politics | Treat Millville like an investment—avoid “for sale” politics. |
| 1:41:00 – 1:45:00 | Eagle Scout Roots | Scouting shaped leadership, resilience, and civic duty. |
| 1:45:00 – 1:53:00 | Merit Badges & Skills | Practical, lifelong skills from scouting (railroading, horsemanship, veterinary science, etc.). |
| 1:53:00 – 2:00:00 | Mentoring Youth Projects | Supported Eagle Scout projects (parks, food pantry database, museum archives); wants to empower youth. |
| 2:00:00 – 2:07:00 | Role in Local Government | Praises mayor’s energy; sees himself as a commissioner focused on operations and results. |
| 2:07:00 – 2:15:00 | Police, Crime, Accountability | Backs Millville PD; wants more officers, stronger prosecution, and political support. |
| 2:15:00 – 2:23:00 | Studying Problems Firsthand | Talks directly with homeless/addicted residents; compassionate but firm about behavior change. |
| 2:30:00 – 2:35:00 | Lifelong Learning | Knowledge comes from asking, observing, and applying; positions himself as a constant learner. |
InformTheVoteNJ Radio Interview — Thomas McGinty
📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋
A focused conversation with Thomas McGinty, candidate for the Millville City Commission. Note: the first ~15–20 minutes did not record; the video picks up mid-conversation.
Team-First Governing:
McGinty emphasizes a cohesive commission focused on solving big problems—not bickering or “stepping-stone” politics.
Remediation & Redevelopment:
Drawing on his background as a geologist and hazardous site mitigation specialist, he outlines how to convert contaminated properties into brownfield-ready industrial sites—especially Wheaton Glass—and then complete the administrative push to match sites with tenants.
Case Study (EPA CAMU):
He describes cutting through years of paralysis on a hazardous site by coordinating DEP/EPA and stakeholders, overcoming objections, and delivering a remedy that enabled warehouse use and on-site solar.
Public Safety & City Image:
Funding exists to hire additional officers; recruitment and coordination are the bottlenecks. He supports visible walking patrols and a stronger city image to aid recruitment.
Sports are core to that pride. Millville’s blue-collar ethos shows up in its athletes—from state-title Thunderbolt teams to stars like Mike Trout and (nearby) Isiah Pacheco. McGinty wants that legacy visible in everyday city life—youth pipelines, safe fields, and events that reinforce a positive identity kids can grow into.
Blight, Youth, and Services:
Calls for aggressive code enforcement and open bidding (no inflated “emergency” teardowns), leveraging Thunderbolts pride and grassroots youth programs, and getting city staff back at desks with supervisor accountability.
Transparency:
Pledges clear communication and collaboration without over-promising—guided by an Eagle Scout ethos.
⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳
Interview Summary – Thomas McGinty
This table highlights the key topics covered in the interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Team-first commission, no bickering | Wants a cohesive board tackling big problems, not past grudges or “stepping-stone” careers. |
| 05:00 | Case study: hazardous site → productive land (EPA CAMU) | Cut red tape, coordinated stakeholders, overcame wetlands objections; result: capped remedy, warehouse frontage, solar. |
| 16:40 | Campaign message: Remediation & Redevelopment | Make contaminated sites brownfield-ready, then do the admin push to land tenants. |
| 17:50 | Brownfields 101 | Safe for industrial, not residential; engineering controls and pump-and-treat continue underneath. |
| 21:00 | Wheaton Glass next steps | Streamline requirements, remove impediments, connect owners with DEP specialists, match with users/buyers. |
| 23:00 | Public safety & recruitment | Funding exists; recruitment is the bottleneck. Improve cross-agency coordination and leadership. |
| 27:10 | Walking patrols & visibility | “Officer-friendly” presence to deter crime and rebuild community trust. |
| 29:10 | At the High St. shooting | He was on scene; stresses thanking responders and improving city image to aid recruitment. |
| 30:45 | Blight & code enforcement | Aggressive enforcement; stop inflated “emergency” no-bid teardowns; require open bidding. |
| 32:00 | Youth & Thunderbolts pride | Schools + grassroots programs; keep kids busy and proud as prevention—seeks concrete action plans. |
| 35:45 | City services & accountability | Get staff back in offices; review operations; hold supervisors accountable for responsiveness. |
| 37:00 | Transparency & closing | Collaborative tone, no over-promising; Eagle Scout ethos and commitment to communication. |
Agenda
City Service Responsiveness
Set clear response standards for phones, email, and counter service; re‑establish in‑office presence; and expect directors to supervise actively. Residents and businesses should experience predictable, timely service from City Hall.
Maurice Riverfront & Eco‑Tourism
The Maurice River and surrounding open spaces are, in McGinty’s view, underused economic and civic assets. Within the constraints of wetlands, estuarine habitat, and the river’s Wild & Scenic designation, he supports conservation‑compatible amenities—birding infrastructure, safe parking and access, guide/vendor support, and small‑scale marina or housing concepts where appropriate—to attract visitors while protecting sensitive habitat.
He notes that existing nature traffic—from osprey and herring‑run watching at the dam to eagle photography that draws out‑of‑state visitors—already contributes to local businesses. A coordinated plan could amplify those benefits without compromising environmental standards.
Team-First Commission
He rejects slate politics and performative “teams.” With many candidates in the field, McGinty argues voters should back proven problem-solvers willing to make tough calls and collaborate. His guiding principle: Millville isn’t for sale—treat the city like an investment, not a prize for political patrons.
Issues
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Downtown & Arts District Revitalization (Assessment & Plan)
McGinty acknowledges bright spots (Levoy Theatre programming, Glasstown campus classes, small studios/maker spaces) but says the “arts district” push had limited citywide impact and needs a reset grounded in safety and diversified uses.
Priorities:
- Visible, community-oriented policing and stronger code enforcement, especially after dark.
- Fair, competitive bidding for public work; transparent project selection.
- Storefront rehabilitation and recruitment of everyday, family-friendly ground-floor uses.
- Pedestrian lighting and cameras on high-traffic blocks and key walkways.
- Consistent evening/weekend programming that draws families downtown.
He also wants Millville to lean into eco-tourism—birding, fishing, photography at Union Lake and along the Maurice River—then connect those visitors to downtown with wayfinding, promos, and events so they eat, shop, and stay locally.
-
Outer Connector & Nabb Avenue Extension (Access to Airport/55)
McGinty backs the long-discussed outer connector—including the Nabb Avenue Extension—to link Route 55 to Route 49 with direct access to the airport, industrial parks, and the motorsports complex, so freight and race-weekend traffic bypass downtown neighborhood streets.
Why it matters: Unlock job sites, reduce cut-through traffic, and avoid tight downtown turns not built for large rigs and trailers.
Status & next steps:
- Build on existing segments and recent planning-board work aligning zoning and corridors.
- Coordinate city–county–state agencies under a shared playbook.
- Secure right-of-way solutions and a funding strategy (state/federal; public-private where feasible).
-
Addiction, Homelessness & Park Safety (Compassion + Accountability)
McGinty views addiction and homelessness as regional, intertwined crises impacting public safety, quality of life, and riverfront parks/trails. He supports compassionate outreach and services paired with firm, consistent enforcement so public spaces stay safe and welcoming.
Coordinated actions:
- Partner with county and nonprofit providers for treatment access, shelter placement, and case management.
- Proactive referrals and follow-up to encourage behavior change and reduce repeat hotspots.
- Consistent enforcement against trespassing, open-air drug use, and repeat nuisance offenses.
- Targeted park safety measures and patrols along the Maurice River corridor.
Goal: restore parks and the river corridor as welcoming public spaces while reducing victimization and fear for residents and visitors.
-
Wheaton Glass & Legacy Industrial Parcels
He notes that current owner-operators (e.g., the Desantis group) have advanced demolition and recycling while coordinating with consultants; City Hall should help clear procedural obstacles so redevelopment can proceed.
-
Police, Prosecution & Political Backing
McGinty praises Millville’s officers and detectives and calls for adding personnel, improving recruitment, and maintaining a visible presence (including walking patrols where feasible). He stresses tighter inter-agency coordination with neighboring departments and the county prosecutor.
He also argues that arrests must be matched by firm follow-through: fewer “catch-and-release” cycles for chronic offenders and clear political support for the department’s mission, so residents see consequences and officers see their work stick.
Background and Experience
-
Professional and Educational Background
Born in Hazleton, PA; grew up in Millville and has lived here for more than six decades. His father worked roughly 50 years at Wheaton Glass in the mold service department, instilling in McGinty a respect for skilled craft and industrial problem‑solving. He graduated from Millville High School, studied at Moravian College and Lehigh University, and earned a B.S. in Geology. Early work included summers in the mid‑1970s at Wheaton Glass—earning union wages—serving as a delivery runner between the Mold Shop and Hot End and as a mold polisher. He later worked as a Land Surveying Technician and Engineering Technician.
-
Environmental Remediation & Federal Case Management (NJDEP)
McGinty spent roughly 20 years with NJDEP—starting in air-quality monitoring and facility siting, then hazardous-waste enforcement, and ultimately Site Remediation as a federal case manager. He coordinated with USEPA, risk assessors, geologists, and treatment specialists to cut through delays and implement protective remedies that meet state and federal standards.
Representative project: On a long-stalled hazardous site, he leveraged the EPA’s Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) framework to secure approvals and deliver a triple-lined on-site cap with engineered controls, overcoming internal resistance and wetlands objections.
- Outcomes: warehouse frontage brought online for redevelopment;
- restored wetlands and habitat improvements;
- solar installation atop the capped area;
- long-term protection of human health and the environment.
-
Public Safety Leadership (NJDOC)
After transferring to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, McGinty served at Bridgeton, South Woods, and Southern State, retiring as a Lieutenant. He emphasizes teamwork, leadership under pressure, and practical inter‑agency coordination—experience he sees as directly applicable to directing public safety and emergency response.
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Notable Project: From Hazardous Site to Productive Land
As a case manager, McGinty leveraged the EPA’s Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU) framework to cut through red tape on a long‑stalled hazardous site. Overcame internal resistance and wetlands objections to implement a triple‑lined on‑site cap with engineered controls, enabling redevelopment. Outcomes included a large warehouse frontage, restored wetlands, and a solar installation atop the capped area—turning a liability into an asset while protecting human health and the environment.
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Community Ties & Values
Eagle Scout; advocates a team‑first, non‑adversarial commission. Emphasizes transparency, realistic promises, and steady communication with residents about progress and setbacks alike.
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Athletics & Community Identity (Pride & Resilience)
A Millville High state-championship alumnus, McGinty ties the city’s blue-collar ethos and sports legacy—hometown hero Mike Trout and NFL success stories like Isiah Pacheco—to civic pride and youth resilience. He sees youth athletics as a practical way to build discipline, mentorship, and safer neighborhoods.
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Eagle Scout Mentorship & Youth Projects (Mentorship & Service)
An Eagle Scout, McGinty credits scouting with instilling planning, persistence, and service. He continues to advise local Eagle candidates on capstone projects.
- Park beautification: flagpole, walks, memorial elements; trail cuts and upgrades.
- Church food-pantry build-out: inventory database and shelving system.
- Archival cataloging for the Millville Army Airfield Museum.
He wants to keep supporting youth-led civic projects whenever possible.
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Studying Problems Firsthand
McGinty regularly visits riverfront areas, alleys, and hot spots to speak directly with homeless residents and those struggling with addiction. He has attempted individual interventions and assistance, but says lasting progress requires personal accountability and consistent standards that protect the broader community.
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Leadership Style
McGinty describes himself as a “nuts-and-bolts” problem-solver—more builder than showman—shaped by years in environmental remediation and corrections. He favors a team-first commission, is willing to make unpopular decisions, and is focused on execution rather than using City Hall as a political stepping stone. He is not seeking a mayoral role.
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Health & Evidence-Based Advocacy
Open about his own prostate cancer journey, McGinty emphasizes evidence-based decisions and steering residents toward credible medical guidance—rejecting unproven “cures.” He views candor and transparency about challenges as part of public service.