Galloway Council Candidate Profile: Frank M. Gargione

Galloway Township voters will go to the polls in the general election on Nov. 5 to fill four seats on the seven-member Township Council.

The ballot will feature slates of four from the Democratic and Republican parties.

On the Republican slate, Galloway Mayor Don Purdy will run for re-election with candidates Robert Maldonado, Frank Gargione and Tim Meadows. Republican incumbents Tom Bassford and Whitney Ullman will not seek re-election.

On the Democratic slate, incumbent Councilman Jim McElwee will run for re-election with challengers Bill Montag, Michael Suleiman and Cliff Sudler.

Each candidate answered the same the same set of questions about their background and platform.

Read all candidate profiles:

• Democratic: Jim McElwee, Bill Montag, Michael Suleiman, Cliff Sudler
• Republican: Frank Gargione, Robert Maldonado, Tim Meadows, Don Purdy

Name: Frank M. Gargione                  

Age: 41   

Education: I was born and raised in Galloway and graduated from Holy Spirit High School.  I received my bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel and an MBA from Rutgers. 

No. of years lived in Galloway Township: Lifelong resident

Family:  I am married to Carrie and have two young boys both attending Galloway schools.

Occupation:  I was previously employed by Lenox China for 11 years until it closed. I purchased Bagel Gourmet in Leeds Point and have grown the business to three stores, including a franchise location. We employ a dozen local residents.

Public service: I am a current Zoning Board member, appointed in 2008. I am Past President of the Galloway Sons of Italy and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. 

PLATFORM:

What issues do you see as critical for the next four years?

Galloway's biggest issue is the lack of commercial ratables.  

What do you see as the biggest accomplishments and shortcomings of the existing Township Council and township administration in the past four years?

The current administration has done a fine job cutting cost, but that’s not enough. We must look at the income side and increase revenue and the tax base. We could be more proactive, reaching out directly to businesses and developers and show them the incentives and support available, whether it’s abatements, PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) or just helping guide them through the complexities of development. If we demonstrate how much Galloway has to offer they will start to come.

What do you want voters to know about you and what you’ll bring to the table?

I would also like to focus my energy on youth sports, recreation and cultural enrichment programs for all ages and abilities. As a youth I grew up playing sports locally and see how the playing fields have not improved much. And there is always a lack of availability of fields, which makes it difficult as a youth coach to schedule practices and games. I will work proactively reaching out to the private sector business community for sponsorship underwriting to fund ongoing programs, future upgrades, and maintenance.

After I am elected, I will lead an effort to form a network of community partners, interested institutions, corporations, businesses and individuals to work collaboratively to help with funding and manpower for our Community Services and Public Works departments. My ultimate goal is a more sustainable, creative and resourceful approach to funding important community recreation and enrichment programs, like it was in the days of my youth, and stop always looking to the taxpayer to fund.