Evans: 'It's About People, Not Parties'
Councilwoman Crystal Evans maintains that she is still a Democrat, and still an independent thinker.
Councilwoman Crystal Evans said she remembers the first budget she voted on as a new member of the Gloucester Township Council.
"I was brand new to the council, and I went there to vote on a budget that was worked on 18 months before," she said of the proposed tax increase. "I was given a packet. I told them that I hadn't had a chance to look at it yet. They said, 'Just say yes.'"
According to Evans, this incident has turned out to be characteristic of her experience on the Gloucester Township Council, to which she assumed office in January 2008.
Since then, Evans, a Democrat, has broken ranks from the party, publicly supporting former mayor Cindy Rau Hatton, a Republican, in her bid for re-election, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in his campaign.
And, although she ultimately did vote "yes" on that budget early on in her term—under pressure from other council members, she claims—she has since opposed her party on various issues, both through her endorsements and her council votes. She has also recently filed an ethics complaint with the state against a fellow council member, for verbally harassing her, she said.
"You get into this job to represent the people who voted for you, to have a mind of your own," said Evans, who was the first minority female to be elected to the township council. "It shouldn't be about dictating to people to pass agendas, or voting along party lines. That's where I separated from them."
Prior to serving as a councilwoman, Evans was a constituent caseworker for New Jersey's 4th Legislative District, working with Democratic Sen. Fred Madden Jr. and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.
Evans still considers herself a Democrat, and has no plans to switch parties.
"I'm still a Democrat. It's about people, not parties," she said. "I disagreed with some of the things they were doing, (things) I felt weren't good for the taxpayers."
In early December, Evans was the only member of council to vote against reopening bids on snow removal contracts. In addition to taking issue with the bid amounts, Evans felt that there wasn't enough information provided about the contractors.
"I think we need to have transparency, I think that's very important," she said. "We don't know what we're voting on—we're given a list, and told, 'These are the contractors, and this is how it's going to be done.'"
Evans believes this transparency should extend to public television broadcasts of council meetings, an initiative she said she has supported for quite some time.
"I've been very open to having our meetings broadcast on TV," she said. "It's an ongoing thing–always more excuses, always more talk about how it can't be done."
At Wednesday's council meeting, Mayor David Mayer announced that the administration is considering broadcasting its meetings on the township website, www.glotwp.com. Mayer maintained that Gloucester Township offers more public access to its meetings than many South Jersey towns.
"We provide more public access and comment opportunities than any other surrounding town in our area," he said. "We have five public access opportunities a month, we have an interactive website and I'm coming up with a new Gloucester Township access."
Still, Evans notes that online broadcasting may very well alienate Gloucester Township's senior population.
"There are a lot of seniors who aren't computer-savvy," she said. "A lot of them don't even have computers."
Councilman Dan Hutchison claims that Evans' main problem in voting on council issues isn't a lack of transparency, but a lack of preparation.
"I think it's wonderful that people have freedom of thought and freedom of choice," he said. "My problem with Councilwoman Evans is that she doesn't prepare for council meetings, and most often, she has no idea what she's voting on. I find that completely frustrating."
Hutchison said at council meetings, Evans often asks questions that are redundant to the agenda and other informational material.
"She has asked questions which, had she read the agenda or the content of what she was voting on, she would have already known the answers to," he said. "That is just unacceptable. We accept a paycheck from this town, and if we're going to accept that paycheck, we have to give 100 percent attention."
Hutchison said he also recalled the budget vote early in Evans' term, and emphasized that no pressure was placed on her to vote "yes."
"She was in no different a position when asked to vote on that budget than any other new individual coming into an elected office," he said. "She got upset during that vote because she didn't want to raise taxes. But you can't always look for an excuse when you have to cast a difficult vote—you vote."
He also called into question Evans' current job working for the state Motor Vehicle Commission, a job he said she was given by Christie.
"You have to question her motives," he said.
Hutchison said he offered to help Evans when she first joined the council, and still extends that offer today.
"Other council members have called me in the past for help, and if she were to call me and say she's having a difficult time with a vote, we could sit down and talk," he said. "If I think you're giving an honest day's work, you will get my respect, even today."
Yet, according to some local political figures, "respect" is hardly the word that would best describe council's treatment of Evans.
According to Gloucester Township Republican Municipal Committee Chair Ray Polidoro, the attitude toward Evans is anything but collegial.
"If you're supposed to be members of the same team, there are respectful ways of expressing your differences," he said. "That's not what I have seen from this council when they're challenged."
Polidoro said Evans' differences with the party are simply a result of her desire to serve constituents.
"When Councilwoman Evans ran for office, she was looking out for the people, and council is looking out for an unidentifiable agenda," he said. "They've taken a whole new agenda to a whole new level, and she doesn't subscribe to that."
Polidoro said despite Evans' disillusionment with her fellow council members, he has no knowledge of her seeking to switch parties.
"She's still a Democrat," he said. "She's just not the Democrat they are."
Evans said she believes the Democratic Party in the state is run by insurance executive and Democratic party fundraiser George Norcross III.
"Basically, there's a political machine in Camden County named George Norcross," she said. "He has his hand in everything."
Evans believes this status quo in the Democratic Party has been gone unchecked and unquestioned for too long.
"They give the seniors a spaghetti dinner, an absentee ballot and a pat on the back, and they vote them back in," she said.
Evans said some of the issues she would like to see addressed are the ongoing sewer-line problems at the Terrestria townhome development, the abandoned buildings throughout the township and an initiative to bring a YMCA to Gloucester Township for the community's youth.
Mayer says his administration has made great strides toward strengthening the economy and vitality of the township.
"This administration has held the line on taxes. My first budget was a zero tax increase. We initiated unprecedented shared-services initiatives. We have stepped up our economic development efforts and reached a redevelopment agreement with the Hit Doctor, and so many other initiatives," he said. "If Crystal does not support that, then I don't know what she would support."
Evans says she's unsure of her future political plans, but insists that despite their differences, she is committed to working with the council to serve the residents of Gloucester Township.
"I think if we focused on what needs to be done for the community, for the township, for the best interest of the people of the township, rather than arguing and beating each other down," she said, "we could accomplish something."
Danny
12:31 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Councilwoman Evans is what Gloucester Township needs as a leader. She is classy, beautiful and strong and she is a woman that displays care and concern for the residents of the township. I am totally impressed with her and whatever she decides to do in politics I will make sure the people of the township support her 100%. Councilwoman Evans is what we need to lead this township. Hutchinson needs to crawl under a rock. He is a liar and a former republican who went to the democratic party for political jobs to serve his weak law firm. Hopefully that ethics charge was against him. He is nothing more than a probematic councilman with a history of craziness and so is that sidekick Mayor who is nothing more than a copy cat. Watch him hinder or steal Evans ideas. We love you Councilwoman Evans because she has endured abuse from the Norcross cronies that have served on this council. Hutchison, that Mayor and rest of those council people have been nothing more than people who play the game of Simon Says. Evans is the only one who is there to serve the people not the special interest like Bianchini, Mercado, Hutchinson, Gentek, Schmidt, Garbowski, Carlemere, Greedy Remington and Vernick, lying Tom Cardis and Mr. Do nothing but what Simon Says Mayor David Mayer. Enough is enough already, get rid of this council and make Evans the leader of the township and watch postive change come. All this group is good for is defaming a good person.
Keep up the good work Councilwoman Evans!
leon jordan
1:37 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
Excellent story. It is about time they gave our Councilwoman her props. She has the biggest heart. She helped my family when we were going through a very difficult time. I will never forget all she has done for us. This lady deserves so much. I can not agree with you more. She has been beaten down by this group of bully council. Hutchinson is the biggest bully on council. He purposely is set in place to cause friction. I hope he is disbarred. He should have an ethics charge filed against him. Hutchinson shouldn't even be on that council and he should be recalled. What a arrogant person. Most of the time we see Hutchinson rushing into the council meetings late. He does what he is told so he is prepared to always say yes or no. Which ever way he is instructed to go.
Councilwoman Evans does what is best for the people. That's the difference and that is why she is special and stands above all of them and the people know it. She is not prepared to be a puppet like Hutchinson and the rest of the BS council. Have you noticed that all Hutchinson is good for is saying negative things. Not one statement in his interview was positive. This is the typical attitude of this Dirty Democratic Norcross Regime. All Norcross does is beat people down and that is why he and the rest of them have a big surprise awaiting them. They will not be re-elected, but Evans will succeed in whatever she decides to do. This is going to be a game changer! Norcross messed with the wrong one this time.
Angel
8:44 pm on Sunday, January 2, 2011
This lady just became my hero!
Camille
9:24 am on Monday, January 10, 2011
I heard about this article. It is making buzz around town. First let me say, kudos to you Councilwoman. I hope you read this. I will be sending you a letter thanking you for caring so much and for not being afraid to stand up. We are behind you.
Second - This is to the editors. You need to know that this so called Mayor you write about is no good. He criticizes Councilwoman Evans and distorts the truth to whoever he can. He is intentionally tapping into her base of constituent voters to make her look bad. We have witnessed his smooth operation. He even slipped his garbage mouth and cutting comment in this article. It clearly shows his true Intent. Last year he cast her out of the Black history month event. His actions will cost the lost of his own people in this next election. The way he has mistreated the first African American Councilwoman has been disgraceful and he should be ashamed of himself and so should the rest of that council.
I was glad to see Governor Christie seat Councilwoman Evans next him and the Lt. Governor when he came to town. She deserved all the recognition. It was a treat to see that Mayor off to the side being ignored.
We hear Councilwoman Evans will be honored this year and look forward to attending the event. Keep up the good work.
Camille
9:32 am on Monday, January 10, 2011
Councilman Hutchison needs to shut up. Nobody wants advise from a lying, fast talking attorney who shouldn't be serving on council. Who died and left him boss. He couldn't advise my dog.
Just a little FYI Hutchison: Puppets, bullies and harrassers have no place on council. I see why she had to file ethics charges. I would to if I had to deal with someone as disrepectful and arrogant as you and the rest of your team.
Since you do as you are told: Simon Says Shut Up and keep your bogus comments to yourself. Is it legal for a Lawyer to serve on Council and are you still collecting a salary? Last you said in the minutes, you were not. Maybe we should see if you reneged on that.
Justin
8:10 am on Tuesday, January 11, 2011
At the rate this Dan Hutchison is going, don't be surprised if he isn't disbarred. His misconduct on council is a Red Flag for an end to his career as a lawyer. The solicitor better make sure the information he is providing is correct or he will be in the dog house too. Two unemployed lawyers in the towship. Looks like another North Jersey Brewing 2011
N/A
10:26 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wow Leon, Justin, Camille, Angel, and Danny? It's pretty Ironic that the person you all swore was the best thing since sliced bread turned out to be the one who has charges pressed against her.
Jimmy
2:02 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
N/A Daniel Sean Hutchison you just don't give up do you man. Your hatred toward this woman is so deep. You need to get help man. Is your mother still in Ancora. Did you drive her there with all your hatred. Let your anger go man. Let it go. She is a good person and she will be just fine. Worry about the kickbacks you took Mr. Hutchison and HUD Deals. Ask George to send you to Haiti for a week and visit the top of the mountain. vooooooodooooooo
Pending...
7:40 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
I beleive she brought it on her self I mean she obviously is unfit to even be workin for the government acting the way she did I say oh well it's her problem of all the right she has did before all it take is one major wrong to over come all that he deserves it
Alex Allen
12:47 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Those old cars and those young do as your told kid cops will soon be walking the street of Camden. Hope you Boys and girls are up for the adventure. Game time is over. Don't worry the new expensive SUV's and Cross over cop cars will stay in GT with certain cops and the rest will go to Camden as part of the consolidation. Mayer Mayor and his boss Norcross have all the details worked out. As for you Daniel Hutchison Councilman, that is all you will ever be is a low show Councilman. Mayor Mayer has no intentions of promoting you to anything more than that. Gabby and Gentek, dippy as they are got trumped over you. Your a turn coat and you will never be trusted. So enjoy being trumped Sean
C.C.Andrews
4:41 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
Most of the residents in Gloucester Township, neighboring communities, throughout Camden County, and former constituents of former Councilwoman Evans/ are much better off during and since her tenure in office, because of all the recommendations and worthwhile improvements she introduced to the Council that were ignored when she was in office, are being accomplished by political copy cats that rejected her ideas. They have made an effort to accomplish what she had previously presented and suggested to the Council before she left the office. It would not have mattered whether she supported the Governor, the Republican party or even because she had a run in with the law, the jealousy, prejudice, and anger toward her because she is such an intelligent independent black woman is so great that they are constantly trying to throw her under the bus. She is completely over with that now and has vowed to be involved in local politics in an effort to assist GT residents, whether they are Democrat or Republican. It is my opininion that if she decides to run for the office of Mayor, the State Assembly, or or State Senator, she would mostly be elected and will do well.