N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S 15 N J C A R . O R G new jersey auto retailer a right to make their own decisions, but moving forward, we need to take a more aggressive approach to combat misinformation. It has proven to be more than just a nuisance, but a public health initiative. What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned? I learned to drive on a Ford Granada, and the first car I owned was a 1967 Chevy Nova (with an FM radio!) Senator Cryan’s Bio: Senator Cryan has represented New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District (Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle, Union) since 2017. A former member of the New Jersey General Assembly, he first represented Legislative District 20 from 2002 to 2014. He served as the Majority Leader and chaired or served on over a dozen different committees in the legislature. He resigned from the Assembly after being elected sheriff of Union County, where he oversaw a gun buy-back program and worked with state and local law enforcement to support safety and security programs. In the Senate, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools and is a member of the Select Committee on New Jersey Transit. He is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He has been honored and recognized by many organizations throughout his career and was the first general chairman of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade committee and is the standard-bearer of the Cryan Association, an Irish American charitable, civic organization. Senator James Beach What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator? I wanted my wife to call me “Honorable.” What is your greatest achievement and your greatest disappointment as a legislator? If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be? If I could change one thing, it would be to reconfigure how property taxes are assessed. I’m proudest of two bills that were ultimately signed into law: one to reform New Jersey’s car seat laws and another that provides the parents of medically-fragile children a voice in selecting their children’s nursing care at school. What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention? Veterans, senior citizens and children. Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward? Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration: We can accomplish more working together than alone! What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned? I learned to drive on a 1949 Ford. The first car I owned was a used 1964 Goliath. Senator Beach’s Bio: Senator James Beach has represented New Jersey’s 6th Legislative District (Burlington and Camden Counties) Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gibbsboro, Haddon, Haddonfield, Hi-Nella, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Oaklyn, Pennsauken, Somerdale, Stratford, Tavistock, Voorhees) since January 13, 2009. He is currently one of two Assistant Majority Leaders in the Senate, a role he has held since 2014. He also serves as the Chair of the State Government, Watering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Senate legislative committee and is a member of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools Education legislative committee. Senator Beach is a former educator and football coach for several southern New Jersey high schools. At the time of his retirement, he was director of vocational education for the Black Horse Pike Regional School District. Senator Beach earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Physical Education from Midwestern College, a master’s degree in Personnel Services from Rowan University, and a doctorate in Education Administration from Nova University. Assemblyman Daniel Benson What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator? I became actively involved in my community and community service around the age of 25 when I started growing dissatisfied with the direction of my local government. I noticed that many of my local representatives were not from my neighborhood or professional background, and I felt that I could offer a unique perspective on the issues facing our township. What is your greatest achievement and your greatest disappointment as a legislator? If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be? My greatest achievement would be the passage of the 911 Good Samaritan opioid antidote legislation. For better or for worse, the bill, which we anticipated would save a couple of hundred lives per year, has ended up saving tens of thousands of people from overdosing throughout its lifetime. My biggest disappointment would be the length of time it can take to draft a bill, build support for it, get it posted for a vote, and then run out of time to get it passed and/or signed into law or vetoed by the Governor. It can be very frustrating for good legislation to take more than one legislative session (two years) 5 QUESTIONS continued on page 16
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