Moorestown|News|
Letter: Moorestown Mayor on 'State of Our Community'
Mayor John Button weighs in on a plethora of township issues, ranging from incoming ratables and reassessment to Open Space and the upcoming election.

Rob has been a reporter for roughly six years. In 2003, he graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in communication with a focus in media writing. After college, he began working at The Danville News, a small daily newspaper in Central Pennsylvania. Later, he moved up to their larger sister paper, The Daily Item. Most recently, Rob worked as the political reporter at the Gloucester County Times. He just moved to New Jersey last fall and is still getting used to the quirks of the Garden State: full-service gas stations and being able to buy beer and wine in the same store. He's new to Moorestown and is eager to make Patch's presence here even stronger.
Our Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I suppose the easiest way to answer this question is I tend to be socially liberal and fiscally centrist. My view on politics - from watching it, reading it and covering it - is there seems to be a level of detachment between the people who govern and the governed. Not as much at the local level, but at the state and certainly the federal levels. That's why you see so many polls reflecting the populace's growing lack of faith in their representatives.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I was raised Roman Catholic, went to church every Sunday and attended Catholic school for seven years. But I now find that, while I appreciate the role organized religion plays in many people's lives, it's not for me. That's not to say I'm not religious. I believe in … something. But I see merit in every faith.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
The liquor referendum. Everyone's talking about it and the debate seems to revolve around two ideas cast in opposition: The town's "character" vs. dollars and cents. What wins out?
Teacher contracts. It's only a couple weeks till school starts and still no resolution. When will it come? And what will the long-term implications of the new contract be?
The new municipal building/library/police department.
Mayor John Button weighs in on a plethora of township issues, ranging from incoming ratables and reassessment to Open Space and the upcoming election.

Robert Melia and ex-girlfriend Heather Lewis will both serve 20-30 years in state prison for assaulting teenagers.
Melia and ex-girlfriend Heather Lewis will both serve between 20-30 years in state prison for assaulting teenagers.
Save the Environment of Moorestown will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the annual Open Space Festival Sunday at Strawbridge Lake.
Disgraced Moorestown police officer Robert Melia and his ex-girlfriend Heather Lewis were convicted in April of assaulting multiple teen victims. They face 50-plus years.
The former Moorestonian and Moorestown Friends School alum said it's "surreal" to be helming her own TV show.
Disgraced Moorestown police officer Robert Melia and his ex-girlfriend Heather Lewis were convicted in April of assaulting multiple teen victims. They face 50-plus years.
In-kind donations from several contractors helped the Moorestown Lacrosse Club and Moorestown Youth Football replace their defunct scoreboard.
Melia and ex-girlfriend Heather Lewis were convicted in April on a number of sexual assault charges against teenage victims.
While researching Thornton Wilder's play, Moorestown High School theater director Greg Harr stumbled across a unique Moorestown connection to the classic work.
Read on to get the skinny on Moorestown's big fall festival, from the entertainers who will be there to a special unveiling that will highlight the event.
Appraisal Systems Inc. is in the midst of performing a county-mandated reassessment of Moorestown.
Also, police investigate a break-in that resulted in the theft of $9,000 worth of cash and jewelry.
Supporters found out recently they won't be able to use money from Moorestown's Open Space Trust Fund to help pay down the project debt—but the township still might be able to lend a hand.
Supporters found out recently they won't be able to use money from Moorestown's Open Space Trust Fund to help pay down the project debt—but the township still might be able to lend a hand.