2022 Cumberland County Commissioner Candidates
Doug Albrecht
Douglas A. Albrecht is seeking his 2nd term on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. As a fiscal conservative he believes that our county has had a clear lack of leadership and ideas solving essential problems facing the County. He has been a voice of reason that has pointed out the mismanagement of county operations at the same time providing possible alternative solutions to those problems consistently. Doug wants to continue his commitment of managing and problem solving on issues that keep landing Cumberland County last in health, literacy, and income per household. Doug believes there are ways to bring the county out of last place by creating solutions through a common sense approach.
This year Doug is the new member of the county Finance Committee and he was able to review the county budget using his business knowledge, expertise, and his degrees in business and economic to seek ways that the County can reduce the tax burden on the residents.
As the county Liaison to the Library Board Doug Albrecht has overseen the greatest renovation of the County Library in nearly 40 years. The Cumberland County Library has a strong role as a County resource to help alleviate the illiteracy rate in this county and he wants this valuable asset to be more than just books on the shelf.
Doug is also the county Liaison to the Board of Elections, and he has witnessed how the state has placed the burden to implement changes in the election process on the taxpayer. As in any task, Doug looks at each procedural change through his economic eyes.
Being a member of the Bayshore Council, Doug has learned first hand how the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection continues to put constraints on the Bayshore region and industries. In addition, he is the newest member of the Tourism Council and knows that improving tourism to Cumberland County is an uphill battle.
As a member of the Recreation Committee, the process has finally gained momentum to create a County Parks System. The centerpiece is the redevelopment of the County Fairgrounds with over 170 acres to have walking trails and horse trails. Activity has already begun to survey the rivers, land preserves, and existing parks.
Doug Albrecht grew up in Vineland, graduated from VHS in 1982, holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Maryland, and a M.B.A. from Rowan University. He is the President and manager of Bob Albrecht Tire & Service, a family-owned business.
He served on the Vineland City Council from 2008-2012, and was the liaison to the Municipal Electric Utility, Planning Board, and Urban Enterprise Zone. Doug served as the Director of the Vineland Downtown Improvement District, as well as serving in a variety of volunteer capacities throughout Cumberland County. He is a member of Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, Doug Albrecht, his wife, Sophia, and their son, Samuel, reside in Vineland.
Victoria (Tori) Lods
Victoria “Tori” Groetsch-Lods is a Vineland resident who not only grew up in Cumberland County, but also chose to work and raise a family here. Tori was raised on her family’s farm, “Victoria Farms,” in South Vineland by parents, Wayne and Valerie (Braidi) Groetsch.
Growing up, she attended Vineland Public Schools and is a Class of ’98 Vineland High School graduate. After high school, she went on to take advantage of one of our region’s finest assets, Cumberland County College where she graduated with an Associates Degree, and ultimately obtained a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Journalism from Rowan University.
She has spent the majority of her professional career using her talents in the Cumberland County community, and considers her career to be an evolution in public service. Tori previously served as a chief-of-staff to Senator Nick Asselta in the First Legislative District. She worked alongside the former Senator for years, helping to develop legislation and policies on central issues affecting Cumberland County residents; such as maximum state funding of our county’s school districts and stimulating local economic development.
She later became the first Executive Director for Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity building homes, raising funds and volunteer support for local families in need.
From there, Tori recognized the need to support the most treasured assets among us, our children, and has taken her passion for public service in a new direction as a public school educator in the City of Bridgeton where she teaches high school English at Bridgeton High School.
Tori has consistently worked to help and advocate for the people of Cumberland County. Each year Victoria Farms is committed to providing fresh produce to families in need during holiday time to help support the importance of family around the dinner table. She is also a member of the Greater Vineland NAACP. Tori has been incredibly active and committed to the community and being the voice of practical solutions to the complex issues in Cumberland County, campaigning to represent the county as freeholder in 2017 and 2020.
As the mother of two young boys, John Henry and James, Tori knows the value of fighting for funding for our schools, quality recreation and the integrity of our children’s education. She and her husband, Michael, celebrate fourteen years of marriage this year, and are members of St. Padre Pio Parish. Tori represents the fifth generation to call her family farm home. Together, they are raising their children and working to make sure Cumberland County is not only a place their young children can afford to live, but is a place they can flourish and be proud to call home in the future.