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Lawrence Township Committee

A seat on the Lawrence Township Committee is up for election this year, with incumbent John Tisa endorsed by the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization. Challenger Charlie Woody, who has run in previous Lawrence Township elections, is mounting a strong and accessible campaign effort this cycle.

While John Tisa maintains a visible presence at township meetings and Republican breakfasts and is hosting a meet-and-greet event in May, he has not provided accessible, campaign-specific information to the broader public. When offered the opportunity to share his platform through InformTheVoteNJ.com, he declined, stating, "If I had an opponent who was a valid candidate, I would reach out to you." As a result, voters without deep familiarity with local politics are left without clear tools to evaluate his candidacy. Tisa’s transparency and accessibility rating has been downgraded to the lowest level on this site to reflect modern voter expectations for public information.

In contrast, Charlie Woody maintains an in-depth and regularly updated campaign website that outlines his views and plans for the township. Woody has also committed to participating in a candidate interview with InformTheVoteNJ.com within the next few days, further demonstrating his commitment to public transparency and voter engagement.

Several unresolved concerns continue to shape the political atmosphere in Lawrence Township, including recurring issues with decorum during township meetings, uncertainty regarding the outcome of last year’s township race, and growing health concerns among currently elected representatives. InformTheVoteNJ.com is actively working to set up a public candidate forum ahead of the election; to date, only Woody has confirmed his willingness to participate.

Click the red x at the top of this box and then scroll down down for more in-depth information and sources.

What does a Township Committee Member do?

A township committee member serves on the governing body of a township, which is a form of municipal government commonly found in New Jersey. The roles and responsibilities of township committee members include the following:

Learn More Legislative Responsibilities: Township committee members are responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and regulations that govern the township. They make decisions on local laws, zoning, land use, and other matters that impact the community.

Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Committee members participate in the development and approval of the township’s annual budget. This involves allocating funds to various departments, services, and projects, as well as setting tax rates and managing financial resources.

Executive Functions: The township committee also has executive responsibilities, such as appointing key officials (like the township administrator, attorney, or engineer) and overseeing the implementation of policies and ordinances. In some townships, one committee member may serve as the mayor, who presides over meetings and represents the township in official matters.

Public Services and Infrastructure: Committee members oversee the provision of public services, including road maintenance, public safety, parks and recreation, and other essential services. They work to ensure that infrastructure projects are completed and that services are delivered efficiently.

Community Representation: As elected officials, township committee members represent the interests and concerns of the township’s residents. They engage with the community, attend public meetings, and respond to constituents' concerns to ensure that the local government is addressing the needs of the people.

Strategic Planning: Committee members are involved in long-term planning for the township, which may include land use planning, economic development initiatives, and efforts to improve the quality of life for residents.

Collaboration: In townships with a committee form of government, decisions are often made collaboratively, with members voting on important issues. The committee typically operates on a majority vote basis, where the collective input of the members shapes township policies and initiatives.

Candidate Transparency/Accessibility Chart

REPUBLICAN

REPUBLICANO

OFFICE TITLE

TITULO OFICIAL

A

Republican

Republicano

B

Republican

Republicano

PERSONAL CHOICE

SELECCION PERSONAL

Lawrence Township Committee

Vote for One

Comité del municipio de Lawrence

Vota por Uno

Republican

Charlie N.

1A

0

Woody

Personal Choice

Seleccion Personal

0

Lawrence Township Committee

Vote for One

Comité del municipio de Lawrence

Vota por Uno

Republican

John

1A

0

Tisa

Personal Choice

Seleccion Personal

0
Form 14 - Vineland W6 D-4