The new committee hopes to move past last year’s ‘negativity’
Residents, past township employees and former committee members packed Cinnaminson Town Hall for Jan. 3’s reorganization meeting, bearing witness to a significant transition in local leadership that committee members said were welcome changes after a tense year.
Howard “Bud” Evans, whom the committee elected as Cinnaminson’s new mayor, was sworn in along with newcomers Ernest McGill and Ryan Horner, both of whom caused an upset when they took the Republican primary in June.
The primary surprised many when challengers McGill and Horner, both Republicans, defeated mayor and longtime committee member Anthony Minniti and running mate June Neuman. Minniti served on the township committee for 16 years.
The victory coincided with an internal investigation into committee member Don Brauckmann, who replaced the now retired William “Ben” Young as deputy mayor after being sworn in Tuesday night. Young was recognized for his 12 years of service to the township with a plaque.
The investigation was a source of contention between committee members and members of the public as recently as Dec. 4, when Minniti motioned to release official reports of the investigation. Acknowledging the troublesome year leading up to the reorganization, the committee members pledged to make 2018 more diplomatic.
“2017 was a tumultuous year for our town, and on June 6 and 7, our voters asserted that they no longer wanted negativity or hostility on our township committee,” McGill said during the committee’s closing remarks. “The four men by my side will stand with me in a united front to bring positivity and togetherness back to Cinnaminson.”
Part of that newfound positivity includes Township Committee ROCC, or Recognition of Outstanding Cinnaminson Citizens, a new agenda item introduced by Evans that will honor residents who make noteworthy contributions to the township.
The first ROCC awards were given to crossing guard Joe Malone, volunteer coordinator Christine Turner, Hunter’s Heroes founder Claire Hunter and former township employee Helen Strobel, who McGill facetiously declared the “grand lady” of Cinnaminson.
Appointments were issued for the new year, naming McGill as the liaison to Public Works and Horner as liaison to Finance and Economic Development. Capehart and Scatchard were selected to represent the committee as labor counsel.
In their final remarks, committee members collectively recognized that while differences of opinion are to be expected in the coming year, their common interest of serving Cinnaminson unites them. Brauckmann said each committee member’s voice is important in the decision-making process and assured the room the public, township employees and the new committee will be treated with respect.
“Debate is healthy and is the backbone of any efficient government. This debate will be civil and what one would expect from their elected officials,” he added.
Evans closed the meeting with an optimistic outlook on the coming year.
“I thank the members of the committee for appointing me and look forward to serving with you,” Evans said. “We have many challenges before us, but challenges breed innovation, and innovation creates opportunity for change. We shall succeed if we work together.”
