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In 1982, our family moved here from Central Jersey when I transferred to the Salem/Hope Creek Generating Station. We decided to live in South Harrison as it was a clean, safe, quiet and peaceful community - a great place to live and to raise our kids, who attended South Harrison Elementary School and Kingsway Regional.
I became involved in the community, including the fight against the landfill. In addition to my serving on the Township Committee for many years, I have also served a number of years as a member of the Township Planning Board, and as the Township Zoning Officer - learning and applying the ordinances and codes of the Township.
I joined the all volunteer Unity Service Ambulance Association in the late 1980's, and in 1994 was elected Captain - an office I held till we disbanded when GCEMS took over the EMS services. I was instrumental in setting up the Unity Service Ambulance Scholarship fund - still annually awarding a Township graduate a $2500 scholarship.
In 1998, I started my own business providing Safety, First Response, CPR and First Aid training to businesses, schools, and individuals throughout the South Jersey area, and continue doing so today.
During my terms on the Committee, many as Deputy Mayor, I have seen a lot of changes in our Township. The current Committee is asked to address many issues not faced by the Committees of the past. COVID-19, taxes and budget restraints, Cyber Security, rapid residential growth, and the slow change from a "farming" community to a "bedroom" community of professionals to name a few. While I strive to keep the rural, small town character we all came here for while improving the Township's facilities and services, I also have to make sure that our farmer's rights are protected, and consider how these changes will affect the Township in the years to come.
In the recent years, the Committee has worked to assure that the needs of Township's residents, not politics, guides our decisions and actions. You need a committee member who supports this, knows the Township and its needs, and who has demonstrated his ability to work for and with the residents, the rest of the committee, and outside agencies.
Experience counts. I have not just lived here, I got involved - and not just in the public session at meetings, or on social media. I see many people come forward with a "single agenda", the "Quick Fix" or latest social media "post". While it may sound great, I consider these "Quick fixes" in terms of their long term benefit or impact on our residents. Change is inevitable, but it takes knowledge, and experience in the Township to make it seamless and beneficial to all.
Not only the owner of a small business - where every expense must be considered - I have also spent many years in "corporate big business", and worked with their associated "huge" budgets as an Electrical Engineer and Manager of Projects. The knowledge and skills I have from these diverse experiences dovetail well into my role in municipal government.
I understand the many issues and concerns of South Harrison, and have proven my support of the Township by my actions and involvement over many years.
Please - Re-Elect Robert (Bob) Diaz (ME!) to the Township Committee .
Re-Elect Bob Diaz
South Harrison Township Committee
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