GREENWICH TWP. Two Democrats and two Republicans are running for two open seats on township council this year.

The Times asked each candidate to submit biographical information, the three most important issues facing the township and how they would address them if elected.

Richard "Rick" Barnett, a 42-year-old sonographer and EMT, is running on the Republican ticket. He lives in town with his wife, Jackie, and children, 13-year-old Rebecca and 10-year-old Tyler.

Barnett was a member of the Gibbstown Ambulance squad from 1995 to April 2008, and has volunteered as a coach for the local baseball, basketball and soccer youth leagues. He is president of the Gibbstown Soccer Association, vice chairman of the township's recreation committee and a school board member for the Guardian Angels Regional Catholic School from 2001 to present.

Controlling the cost of government to maintain low taxes is a priority, Barnett said.

"Presently, Greenwich Township has the second-lowest tax rate in Gloucester County," Barnett said. "Given the economy and the hardship people are experiencing, it is vitally important to control costs of government. Searching avenues for consolidation of services and closely watching salaries and expenses must be a priority. I will do everything possible to keep our tax rate among the lowest in Gloucester County."

The township should also be working to promote port development, since the township is fortunate to have an existing port at the DuPont site. Barnett said he plans to work closely with Pohlig and Mayor George Shivery Jr. to make the port a reality.

"It is a ready-to-go facility," Barnett said. "We should direct our efforts in partnership with the state and county government to promote this development. Jobs can be created for Gibbstown and this should be a priority as our economy recovers."

Lastly, Barnett said he plans to continue the township's road improvement program, which has been "a tremendous success."

Joseph DiMenna, a Democrat, is the other incumbent candidate. DiMenna, 52, is a regional manager for Hawkeye LLC and lives in town with his wife, Sharon, and two children, Joseph II and Alyssa Mary.

DiMenna has an extensive volunteer background, including having served as a member of the township's planning/zoning board, a Little League/Big League baseball coach, a township basketball youth league coach, and coordinator for clean community events.

One of the biggest issues the township faces is working with state and county representatives to entice new businesses to the Repauno DuPont site, DiMenna said.

"With the loss of revenue from this site and looming tax appeals, maintaining taxes continues to be difficult," he said. "Enticing business with well-written Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) resolutions will increase the ratables so we can continue to provide the quality services Greenwich residents have become accustomed to."

DiMenna said the township must also work harder at keeping spending in check.

"Some of our large bonds have been paid down and are off the books; however, additional bonds have been added," he said. "We have to cautiously review spending down our surplus that has been received through taxation."

Lastly, DiMenna said, the township must put looming tax appeals to rest.

"This problem continues to progress year after year, costing us money for litigation and evaluation," he said. "This problem will not go away on its own. We will have to get aggressive and meet with the companies face-to-face, and utilize our professionals more carefully to put this final appeal behind us."

William "Billy" Franklin, 43, is running on the Democratic ticket. A police officer and drug detection K-9 handler, he lives in town with his wife, Christine, and their two children, 11-year-old Alexis and 6-year-old Luke.

Franklin is very involved in local youth sports organizations, currently serving as head coach for the Gibbstown girls' softball team, assistant coach of the boys' Little League team and coach for youth basketball.

The township council must take action toward economic development, Franklin said, with officials beginning to "sell" the township and become business-friendly.

"The gravy train of funds we were fortunate enough to know as Mobil, Hercules, and DuPont has since departed and still more tax appeals loom," Franklin said. "In order to stabilize our tax rates, while continuing to provide services, we must explore all options. We must work with our local and state officials to entice new businesses to areas in our town such as the former DuPont Site through well thought-out (payment in lieu of tax) programs. We also need to get resident input on types of businesses they'd like, while fully supporting our current business owners."

The township must also work harder to ensure the maintenance of residential and business properties within its boundaries.

"This township has always prided itself on appearance," he said. "We must continue to enforce current ordinances while working with our residents to ensure property owners are not allowed to become negligent in their duties, which result in neighboring property values suffering."

Lastly, Franklin said, the township must continue to improve its senior and youth programs. Simple suggestions include improving the township's sporting fields and equipment or even creating new youth programs.

He said he'd like to work with the senior citizens to obtain a building to call their own for their meetings and events, and also start a mentoring program for the youth. He also hopes to implement a bus service for the town through shared services.

Incumbent Councilwoman Geraldine "Gerry" Pohlig, a Republican, said that keeping taxes and the cost of government low is one of her main priorities. As a member of the finance committee for the past three years, Pohlig said she's been successful in maintaining low local taxes, helping the township to attain the second-lowest local tax rate in the county.

"I will monitor expenses and salaries in municipal government and keep costs at a minimum" if re-elected, Pohlig said. "There will be no increase in hiring while the economy remains difficult. I will undertake all action to consolidate municipal services when reasonably available."

Pohlig, 65, is retired from private industry and now serves full-time as a councilwoman. She lives in town with her husband of 44 years, Ted. Their daughter Leigh Ann Pohlig-Redington also lives in town with her husband, Ron, and their children, ages 16 and 11.

As a member of several charitable Masonic-affiliated ladies' organizations, Pohlig volunteered, established and participated in fundraising projects in support of the Shriners Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as many other veterans groups.

Pohlig said another priority, if re-elected, would be local port development. She is currently chair of the township's port development committee.

"The former DuPont site is targeted to be a major port along the Delaware River, and this will bring jobs and business development for this area," she said. "I intend to work with Gloucester County government in a partnership to successfully establish a great port facility. I have already made contact with the county officials and a partnership agreement is now being drafted under my review."

As a third priority, Pohlig said she also plans to continue the road program, which was started two years ago.