PETERSBURG — Two lifelong Upper Township residents are going head to head in the election for Township Committee on Nov. 7.
Curtis T. Corson, a farmer and business owner who has served on Township Committee for a quarter-century in two stints, is facing a challenge from business owner and truck driver Jon K. Grubb for a three-year seat.
Curtis T. Corson
Corson, 59, has deep roots in the township and is one of the longest-serving members of Township Committee. He is a 13th-generation Upper Township resident, his children are 14th generation and his grandson is the first of a 15th generation in the township.
He has three children, two of whom still live in the township, and six grandchildren, four of whom live in the township.
His middle initial “T” is from Townsend, his grandmother’s family name, which means he is related to two of the founding families of Cape May County, among the earliest people of European descent to live in the northern part of the county, with two local inlets carrying those names.
In 2016, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of committee member Jeffrey Pierson after Pierson was elected to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now Board of Commissioners).
Corson ran and won a full term in 2017. But he had spent 18 years on the committee before that, serving before any of the current members were elected.
Coggins said he has lived in the township his entire life, with the exception of his stint in the military. He spent three years in the Army in the 1980s after graduating from Ocean City High School, spending most of his time in Germany.
He owns and operates a farm of more than 30 acres, as well as Seaville Self Storage. He is former owner of Plantation Campground and Heritage Links golf course.
Corson is a life member of the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company, a past trustee of the Seaville Church Cemetery, a trustee of the Strathmere United Methodist Church and the Cape May County Historical Society, as well as a past member and chairman of the Planning Board.
Corson said he would like to continue serving to see the redevelopment of the defunct B.L. England Generating Station property, as well as a sustainable shoreline and beach replenishment in Strathmere.
He believes his more than 25 years of experience, coupled with his years in business, make him a quality candidate. Top issues in the township include beach replenishment, the redevelopment project, taxes and offshore wind farms.
Jon K. Grubb
Jon Grubb, 48, is a third-generation and lifetime resident of Upper Township, where he has been a property owner since 2003, both commercial and residential.
He has been owner of KG Property Management & Home Improvement Contracting since 2012 and Georgie’s Magic Touch Barber and Beauty Salon since 2022.
Grubb has been licensed in security through the State Police since 2007 was a security supervisor for GMH Enterprises from 2009–22.
He also holds a certificate in auto mechanics and a CDL license, which he uses as a certified truck driver since about 1999. Grubb is a certified equipment operator since 2002 and has worked as a supervisor in these various fields for more than 23 years.
“I’m a former employee of the public works, which means I have considerable knowledge of every aspect of operations within the departments,” he said, adding that he is well-versed in dealing with contracts, bids and estimates.
He said he has supported and run local sports for more than 30 years.
“My reasons for running are simple: new blood, accountability, transparency, responsibility,” Grubb said.
Noting he recently became a father, he said the township is a wonderful place to live.
“I feel I can help ensure that it remains that way and I believe the best way to do that is by being a member of the Township Committee,” Grubb said.
He said his opponent, Curtis Corson, “has been on the board for too long and is the last member of the old regime which had been viewed as the good ol’ boys club.”
Grubb said the township needs new ideas to benefit the residents and businesses.
“It’s time for someone with a different mindset, perspective, who actually wants what’s best for our residents and businesses and will work to keep our taxes from increasing,” he said. “The people of Upper spoke before and voted Curtis out of office. Recently he was removed as mayor by his own fellow Committee members, which speaks volumes. His time has passed and it’s become very apparent.”
Grubb said the “irresponsible, wasteful spending” and the use of bonds to get around spending caps “needs to stop.”
He said zoning is an ongoing issue.
“Zoning needs to be addressed in a way that benefits residents and businesses and not used as a tool to block or hurt local businesses or residents struggling within the township,” he said.
Grubb said Township Committee should be responsive to voters.
“Residents need to feel like there’s actually someone listening to their concerns and needs and be willing to work to address them, not ignore them, look down at or belittle them,” he said.
Grubb said Township Committee must keep taxes at a rate that allows seniors and fixed-income residents to remain in the township.
“This includes working on ways to generate revenues that do not include raising taxes on residents,” he said.
Accepting bids and then paying above and beyond the accepted bid amount instead of rebidding the projects is a huge problem, he said.
“Having the ability to understand contracts, estimates and bids from a hands-on perspective is a necessity the township has lacked for way too long, and for years the residents have been taking it on the chin because of incompetence and it needs to stop,” he said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff