Courtney Bracken for
Mantua Twp. Committee
Where I stand
Pro Taxpayer
Do more, with less!
Government, at every level, should be slim and efficient. We need to offer the best possible services, for the lowest cost to the taxpayers. By increasing our ratables and seeking outside sources of revenue- we can increase our quality of services, while keeping our costs low. We will re-evaluate our current business contracts and shared services agreements and find ways to streamline spending while not reducing services to our residents.
Pro Business
Improve Economic Development
Our local government's role in our town's economy should be to support and empower businesses to start and grow. We will re-evaluate the town's zoning map and master plan.. We plan on working with private partners to create a downtown walkable shopping district. We also plan to use PILOT programs to attract new businesses to our town. We want to fill our vacant storefronts, not demolish our dwindling natural landscape for new construction.
Pro Parent/Family
Empower Parents To Be Involved
With parental rights and education being at the forefront of many people's minds, our goal is to involve parents on any decisions that may affect them or their families. This may include township programs, educational seminars, and planned infrastructure projects like parks and activities. We want to bring back the "community" feel of the old Mantua by restoring programs and events that we used to host.
Pro Law Enforcement
Provide Tools, Resources, and Training
Mantua has top notch police officers that protect and serve our community. We will defend and support our police by providing them the equipment and resources they need to do their job. This means offering higher education and advanced training so our officers can grow within the department. We will heavily focus on the community outreach aspect of the department to keep our residents aware of community issues in the township.
My Stance on the GCL
I do not support the Glassboro to Camden Line (GCL) as currently proposed. I am not against public transportation, but I am in favor of more a more environmentally friendly, economic/adaptable smart growth approach.
Using the same route from the 1800's to provide rail transportation to areas that are already served by a network of highways and roads that currently have multimillion-dollar reconstruction projects underway is wasteful.
With population and business/industrial growth spreading out from the established communities along the current rail and highway system, we need a transportation solution that can be utilized to access these areas and connect them to the established routes.
An alternative solution would be a network of environmentally friendly rapid transit busses (known as BRT). These bus routes and service times could be easily adjusted to maximize their effectiveness and ridership without the expensive construction costs of train rails. Rails that once established, can not be moved if found they are not servicing the community effectively.
Just because we are not for the GCL project proposal in its current form does not mean I am against public transportation, union jobs, etc.
I pledge that if elected, I will listen to our resident's concerns and input regarding the GCL project and represent the resident's concerns and opinions regarding this very important issue in our town. I will propose a resolution that Mantua Township has concerns and are against the GCL proposal in its current form.
Meet courtney
She is a mother of three sons, Brandon (26), Cameron (23), and Aiden (11). Aiden is enrolled in the Mantua School system.
Courtney is currently a member of the Mantua Republican Executive Committee and a current member of the Elks Lodge #2132.
She is a graduate of Pitman High School and Rowan College of South Jersey. She received her Associate's in Applied Science of Law Enforcement. She previously worked in the criminal justice system and currently works in New Jersey's 3rd Legislative District as a Constituent Services/ Legislative Aide for Senator Edward Durr.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking day trips, and hiking with her youngest son, Aiden. Courtney also dedicates her free time to volunteering. She assists with organizing the Senior/Disabled Holiday meal program.
