Meet the Candidates Week of August 11, 2013
By: Nicole Sanders | The Save Jersey Blog
In my efforts to introduce candidates to the voting public I started a weekly column called Meet the Candidates. In essence it is a past day stump speech updated for the virtual world.
To wrap up my three week segment in Cumberland County I would like to introduce you to Surrogate Candidate Tim Codispoti.
Mr. Codispoti was born and raised in New Jersey. For college he received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College. He is also a thirty year military veteran (USAF/ANG) with thirty years in law enforcement. Currently he is the Chief of Police in Vineland.
The following is my interview with Surrogate Candidate Tim Codispoti
Sanders: What make you a more viable candidate in comparison to your challengers?
Codispoti: The office of County Surrogate is dedicated to helping those who are suffering the loss of a loved one, overseeing adoptions, financial issues involving juveniles, and other sensitive matters. I have been involved in public service for over 30 years and have personally dealt with many distressed people who were in need of help from our department and have kept the trust of these people no matter what the circumstance.
Sanders: To you, what are your greatest legislative or personal accomplishments thus far?
Codispoti: I committed to orchestrating a community oriented policing agency since I became Chief in 2006. This was based on what I had learned & experienced in my career and life to that point. Our department now has a National Night Out event (second to none in south jersey), interactive juvenile unit with the Board of Education, lunch with cops program, juvenile mentoring initiatives, chaplain program, dedicated PAL program, and a department wide in-service training program that trains all Officers to work together on community policing initiatives.
Sanders: How do you feel your current profession will help you if you are elected?
Codispoti: For the past 30 years as I was assigned to different units and through promotions interacted with community members I have had the opportunity to help those in need of the department’s services and know that good government only exists when you have good people in government.
Sanders: It says on the Cumberland County Surrogate webpage (www.co.cumberland.nj.us) that their office is a model to the other Surrogate offices in throughout the state. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Codispoti: There is no new initiative that my opponent has instituted while he has been in office for this past term.
Sanders: If your constituents wanted to reach out to you and ask you questions about your positions or how to volunteer on your campaign who can they reach out to?
Codispoti: I can be reached by email (tpcodispoti5561@comcast.net), Phone (856-230-5919) or even on Facebook.
Sanders: In a short statement please advise why your constituents should vote for you and what do you want accomplish in the next four years?
Codispoti: I am asking for the support of the county constituents as I am a proven administrator who has demonstrated through action that government can do much more for the people when you have a person who is committed to serving the people. In my first term as surrogate my goal(s) are to re-introduce the practice of going to those who request our services (attorney’s offices etc.) rather than reserve that accessibility for a select few. As a veteran I will also ensure that the thousands of veterans who reside in the county are given access to the free will program along with making regular visits to our senior centers located throughout the county for the same purpose.
If you are a candidate and interested in being a part of my weekly Meet the Candidates article, email me at nikisands3@hotmail.com.
