Galloway Council Candidate Profile: Michael Suleiman

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: Michael Suleiman                  

Age: 23

Education: B.A., Rutgers University (Political Science)

No. of years lived in Galloway Township: Lifelong resident

Family: Son of Habib (deceased) and Lorraine Suleiman

Occupation: Legislative aide, Senator Jim Whelan

Public service: Member of Galloway Superintendent’s Advisory Team, member of Stockton Veterans Advisory Board.

PLATFORM:

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

Restoring fiscal responsibility will be absolutely crucial for the next council. Despite warnings from their auditors and financial advisors, the party in control of Galloway for the last 10 years has mismanaged the township checkbook, wasted $2 million on legal fees and lawsuits, and continued to borrow money rather than reduce our structural deficit. Because of this, the township has laid off police officers and decimated the Public Works Department.

The other major issue for Galloway is our township’s image. Many residents I have met during this campaign expressed their concern about all the negative headlines in the newspaper and online about Galloway Township. They’re sick of reading about lawsuits and layoffs. We need to end the embarrassing headlines and shenanigans so our residents can feel good about the township we all love.

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

Galloway Council has set the wrong priorities for our township. The township has laid off or forced to retire nearly 30 police officers, laid off many public works employees, and eliminated bulk pickup and spring leaf collection. Instead of trying to move Galloway forward, this council has focused on intra-party squabbles, increasing towing fees, and kicking the financial can down the road. We can, and we must, do better.

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

I come from a middle-class background and simply want to make a difference in the township that I love. After my father passed away when I was young, I got my first job at age 14 as a dishwasher at the Oyster Creek Inn to help support my family. I’ve seen first-hand how my family and countless others in Galloway have fallen behind these last few years. It's time we had members of council who will have a "we are all in this together" mentality rather than a "you're on your own" mindset. I have the drive and dedication to end the status quo in Galloway in order to provide these middle-class families with a little relief. I also have years of practical, real-world experience in public service to help restore fiscal responsibility in Galloway Township and make Galloway more business-friendly so small businesses can bring quality jobs and investment to the township.