(MT. LAUREL, NJ) – Democratic council challengers Lori Leonard, Dennis Riley, and Earle Goldstein today kicked-off their campaign for change, officially announcing their “Five Point Plan for A Better Mt. Laurel.”  

Leonard, Riley and Goldstein have been campaigning for months throughout Mt. Laurel’s 27 districts, meeting residents at front door steps, barbecues, sporting events and around town.

“We have been delivering our message of change from Holiday Village to Ramblewood and everywhere in between,” said Lori Leonard, a well respected community activist.  “Residents have been responding to our message positively and expressing their support for our campaign.”

“Mt. Laurel residents are tired of the manipulation of the township finances for the Republican party’s benefit,” said Riley, a certified public accountant.  “We plan on putting a stop to that vicious trend.”

“Everywhere I go in town I hear the same refrain from residents: taxes and spending are up while services remain under par,” said Goldstein, a coach and father of four.  “We need improve our services, particularly programs for our seniors and young people, so that our residents can receive a greater return on their tax dollars.”

After spending months meeting and speaking with residents, Leonard, Riley and Goldstein believe they truly understand the needs, wants, and challenges of Mt. Laurel.  The three first-time candidates are running on an agenda entitled, “A Five-Point Plan for a Better Mt. Laurel.”  The plan is as follows:

n  Make fiscal responsibility a priority – not just a sound bite – by reigning in wasteful spending and increasing government accountability by developing  real financial benchmarks;

n  Implement an open, proactive government dedicated not just to maintaining the status quo – but to improving;

n  Develop a first class parks and recreation program that meets the needs of our growing community;

n  Enhance our police department by providing our law enforcement officers with the resources and tools they need to fight rising crime rates; and

n  Improve Township services so that we all can receive a fair return on the taxes we pay.

“We have a bold agenda to put Mt. Laurel at the head of the class when it comes to providing services, managing budgets, and including the public in the direction of their government,” said Goldstein.

“From serving as a board member with the Mt. Laurel Public Education Foundation to chairing the Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, I understand the needs of our families,” said Leonard.  “Our agenda not only reflects those needs – its makes them a priority.”

“As a certified public accountant, I’ll making restoring fiscal accountability to Mt. Laurel one of my number one priorities,” said Riley.  “Our families can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Leonard, 45, is an 18 year resident of Mt. Laurel.  A well-known community leader, she serves a leadership role in several local organizations such as: Chair, Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse (2001-present); Founder and Vice President, Mount Laurel Boys and Girls Lacrosse (2004-present); Founder, Citizens Action Committee, a grass roots organization established to prevent the reconfiguration of the Mount Laurel Schools 5th-8th grades (2005-present);  Member, Board of Trustees, Mount Laurel Public Education Foundation (2006-present); Co-Chair of Entertainment, Lenape High School GradBash  (2007-present). 

She graduated from Glassboro State College with a B.A., and from Trenton State College with a graduate certification as a Substance Awareness Coordinator.  Leonard is married to her husband Tim, and has two sons, Ryan and Eric.

Goldstein, 53, is president of the Devonshire Village Civic Association.  He has also coached girls’ softball in the Mt. Laurel Recreation League.  An avid animal lover, Goldstein has volunteered his time to the Burlington County Animal Alliance.   By profession, he works as a business manager for Frito-Lay. 

He holds a B.S. from the University of Miami and has done graduate work at West Chester University and Florida Atlantic University.

Goldstein is married to his wife Beth; he has a stepdaughter Morgan Previte and three sons, Kyle, Skyler and Dillon.

Riley, 51, is a certified public accountant who owns CuttingEdgeCpa.com, a professional accounting firm based in Mt. Laurel.   A highly regarded member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, he frequently lectures at seminars throughout the country on topics ranging from tax guidance for corporations to pass through entities and individuals.  He also served on the Mt. Laurel Board of Education from 1995 to 2004.  He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Rutgers University.   He is married to his wife Cheryl and has two sons, Zachary and Jacob.     

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