Meet the Candidates: Tracey Trotto

On Nov. 8, residents will have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote for four members of Gloucester Township Council. Gloucester Township Patch will share information and some of the thoughts of the nine candidates seeking four Council seats throughout the week of Oct. 9.

Name: Tracey Trotto

Political Party: Democrat

Years of residency in Gloucester Twp.: 15

Job: A/R and Medical Billing representative, 11 years

Education: Associate's Degree in Business Administration

Family: Married to Nick for 22 years; two sons, ages 11 and 13

Why are you running for Gloucester Township Council?

I am running for Gloucester Township Council because I want to be a part of making Gloucester Township the great place that it is. My knowledge of the community and my interaction with residents will allow me to remain aware of the needs and concerns of the residents. I want to be part of a team that continues to make progress in Gloucester Township.

Have you ever held public office?

I have not previously held public office. 

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve as a member of the Gloucester Township Council?

I have been an active member of the Gloucester Township community since moving to GT in 1996. I have worked with the Town Watch Program and as a volunteer for the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. I just finished my sixth year as PTG President at Glendora Elementary School. I have been very active with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life for ten years and I am responsible for bringing the Relay to Gloucester Township in 2010. In the two years we have been in Gloucester Township we have raised over $125,000. The Relay allows me to bring the community together, including our schools to raise awareness of the fight against cancer. We hold a 24 hour walk at Sam Siler Veterans Park every June. I have worked in a management position in the banking industry for years and I was responsible for maintaining the branch staff, branch cash totals and reducing overtime by re-evaluating the staff hours. I am also a classroom aide for CCD classes at my church. My experience in my career and community has allowed me to remain active with the residents, and I feel I am aware of the needs and wants of the residents. 

What is the biggest issue facing Gloucester Township as we approach the end of 2011? How do you feel the issue should be addressed by Council?

The biggest issue facing Gloucester Township residents is taxes. The current administration has found ways to provide services to residents despite the fact that state aid has decreased and there’s a greater need for services. Sharing services (trash, solar energy projects) that will reduce costs and providing our residents a transparent government that keeps them informed can help us succeed in our efforts to cut costs. 

What do you feel is Gloucester Township's biggest asset at this time? How would you exploit that asset to the township's benefit?

Our residents are our biggest assets. I’ve been blessed to meet so many of our neighbors over the last few years through Relay for Life, Youth Soccer and Hockey, and through campaigning throughout the summer and fall. Our residents care about each other and want what’s best for our community.

How do you plan to balance spending and revenue during tough economic times?

I believe we have to control spending. The current administration has come up with various creative ways to do this through contract negotiations, shared services and renewable energy source programs. Furthermore, we have to continue to attract business development to our commercial corridors.

Do you feel the current Council is effective? Why or why not? Where do you think the governing body could improve?

I wholeheartedly agree that the current Council is effective. The current Council has passed two consecutive budgets with a Zero tax increase during difficult economic times. 

I feel that our governing body wants continuous improvement. I feel that they will continue to look for new and innovative ways to provide the same level of services to our residents while maintaining costs, and I look forward to helping them achieve these goals. 

Editor's Notes: This is the eighth of nine profiles on candidates for Gloucester Township Council. Glen Bianchini's profile and Samuel Garro's profile ran Monday, Darren Gladden's profile and Theodore Liddell's profile on Tuesday, Orlando Mercado's profile and Linda Musser's profile on Wednesday, and Sam Siler's profile this morning. Republican candidate Erica Weissmann's profile will be published at 6 a.m. on Friday.

Aside from minor formatting changes, the responses each candidate provided to the above questions appear here unaltered.