Six candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three Deptford council positions on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. There are three Republicans and three Democrats. Voters will have to choose which three will get their vote.
Democrats
Name: Paul Medany
Age: 67
How many years lived in Deptford?
Lifelong resident of Deptford Township.
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married with three adult children and seven grandchildren.
School and degree?
Graduated Deptford high school class of ’74. Entered pipe trades apprenticeship immediately after high school graduated from five-year program Continuing education in government studies.
Profession?
Currently retired as a Project manager
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for the committee? If not, how many years/terms have you served on the committee?
23 years as a Deptford Township Councilmember. 17 years as Mayor
What is your community involvement?
Currently Deptford township planning board, Deptford township public safety committee, Deptford township library board, Deptford township veterans committee. Member of Deptford Township Volunteer Hall of Fame. NJ State Legislative committee. Past president of Gloucester County Mayors Association.
Why are you seeking reelection?
I am running for re-election to continue to serve this great community. I would like to continue the programs we have formulated especially in the areas of public safety, economic development. Fiscal responsibility, affordability, municipal services, recreation, government transparency are all areas we would like to continue our progress in, all of these areas are equally important to a thriving community.
What is an area you will focus on if you are reelected?
So many municipal issues are equally important to one another. We have just hired 11 new police officers so our work must continue with public safety. Constantly improving all municipal services is our goal. Working with our school district and fire district has created a new era of cooperation in Deptford and we would certainly like to continue that progress.
Name: Tom Hufnell
Age: 67 years old
How long have you lived in Deptford?
Life long resident of Deptford township.
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married with one adult son and one grandchild.
School and degree?
Deptford High School. Graduate class of ’74.
Profession?
Currently retired, spent my career with Konrad Distributors, a Deptford business.
Is this the first time you have run for a seat for the committee? If not, how many years/terms have you served on the committee?
I have been on Deptford Township Council for 20 years. Currently the Deputy Mayor for last 13 years.
What is your community involvement?
Past president of Deptford Midget football for 15 years. Deptford little league coach for 15
years. Presently on Deptford’s environmental and recreation committee. Lifetime Member of the Deptford Elks.
Why are you seeking reelection?
I am running for re-election to Deptford Township Council to continue our great progress in the areas of public safety and economic development. I will keep fighting to lower taxes and continue our infrastructure improvements. I want to continue to ensure that the programs for our senior citizens evolve to meet their needs and expectations. We recently hired 11 more police officers to ensure public safety initiatives. I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers in town who dedicate so much their time to our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Continue to examine our budget and constantly look for ways to reduce spending while
encouraging any and all growth opportunities available for Deptford Township.
Name: Brandi Leidy
Age: 44
How many years have you lived in Deptford: 14
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married to a union ironworker and volunteer firefighter in town
Two children: My 18-year-old daughter just graduated from Deptford High and is currently attending college with a biological science major. She is also a volunteer firefighter in town. My 11-year-old son attends school in Deptford and is actively involved in township baseball and basketball.
School and degree: Rowan University, masters in business administration, bachelor of science in finance.
Profession: Senior director of financial operations for a senior living company.
First time running? Yes
Community involvement: Deptford planning board; township recreation committee; associate member, Blackwood Terrace fire station, for which I am a member of the fundraising and event committee.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I love living in Deptford and being a part of this great town. I am running for council to do my part in helping Deptford continue to be a great place to live while also working to make it even better. I look forward to working with the council and mayor to ensure we represent the best interest of all residents.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one area. Having our community be connected is of huge importance to me, and I will continue to promote all of the great activities that we have every year to encourage this connection. In addition, having a safe community will always be a priority. Working collaboratively with our police, fire, emergency management and public works teams will be a focus. And of course, ensuring economic and financial stewardship in Deptford is a must, including supporting current and new businesses in the township and maintaining a realistic budget for our residents.
Republicans
Name: Derek Stallwood
Age: 33 years old
How long have you lived in Deptford?
I’ve lived in Deptford for over 5 years now. My wife’s family is from Deptford, and I grew up in West Deptford, so this area has always been home.
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
I have been married for 8 years to my wife Ashley We have two kids Delilah and Jacob with a third on the way.
School and degree:
High School Graduate.
Profession:
I am the third-generation small business owner of DJs Auto Electrics in Gloucester City. We specialize in Auto electric diagnostics and repairs and have been in business since 1986.
Is this your first time running?
This is my first time running for town council.
What is your community involvement?
I am the chairman of the Deptford Republican Club. In that capacity my goal has been to raise awareness surrounding the issues facing Deptford and to rally residents to have their voices heard.
Why am I running for an elected seat?
During the summer of 2020 after seeing all the chaos going on in our country I decided to get involved in local politics. I met up with the newly formed Deptford Republican Club in Fasola Park and began watching our current Mayor and Council. I realized that current leadership was exactly what we didn’t need in government. They were off putting, dismissive and condescending to residents. I am running to change the culture of our local town council to be more engaging and accountable to Deptford Residents. I want to work with Deptford for Deptford.
What area would I like to concentrate on?
My goal as a councilman will be to proactively engage and inform the residents of Deptford regarding the issues facing our community. I want the Deptford Town Council to be responsive and responsible. Through opening the books of the township and reviewing them with residents so that they can be as informed as possible we can all make the best decisions for Deptford together. I want to build a culture on the council where residents are included in the decision making in town with real transparency and communication.
Name: Martin G. McDonough
Age: 65 years old
How long have you lived in Deptford?
Eight years of residency in Deptford
Married? Children? Grandchildren?
Married, three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
School and Degree:
WKU – Home Economics and Family Living University of MD – Business Administration
Profession?
Human Resources and Training Executive
Is this your first time running? If not when did you run before?
Ran for Deptford Town Council in 2021.
What is your community involvement?
Limited involvement due to full-time work status but try to volunteer for various causes of
interest and supportive of Deptford residents.
Why am I running for Deptford Council?
My involvement began in late 2019 when a couple of us “revived” the Republican Executive Committee of Deptford (Deptford Republican Club) to give the citizens of Deptford a voice. It seems that Deptford citizens are not well represented at Town Council Meetings and if attended, were (are) treated with a “dismissive mindset” by the current mayor and council. The funding of the Deptford government is provided by Deptford citizens who should have a voice in how their tax dollars are spent as well as active participation in how the Township direction is determined. There is no citizen voice today and open communication is discouraged by the current administration.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
The Republican Candidate platform has five significant bullet points (Vote for Mayor, Senior Property Tax Freeze, Litter Patrol Program Expansion and Township Code Audit/Reform, Layman’s Audit). Additionally, we wish to provide a forum for the Deptford citizens to better understand GCL (Glassboro-Camden Line).
For me, I would choose to concentrate on having Deptford residents able to vote for Mayor as opposed to the position being appointed by Council. I believe that Deptford residents would be much more involved in the governing of the Township if involvement were encouraged versus discouraged. The current climate is not at all “user-friendly” to the Deptford resident. Council should serve the Deptford residents.
Name: David Aber.
Age: 41 years old
How long have you lived in Deptford?
I’m a 3rd generation resident, my family and I resettled in Deptford after my father retired from the United States Navy in 1999.
Children?
I have a son who is 16
School and Degree:
Deptford High School graduate year 2000, two completed apprenticeships (Philly shipyard and laborers local 172)
Profession?
Union laborer local 172
Is this your first time running for a council position? If not, when did you run before?
My first run for Deptford town council was in 2021
Why are you running for a council position?
I like to stay involved in our community. whether it be coaching little league (OVAA) in the past to helping clean up in after the aftermath of the tornado that devastated parts of our area. Currently I hold the elected position of Republican executive committee for Deptford’s 11th District, where I do what I can to help members of the entire Community, by bringing questions and concerns to our elected officials on both Deptford Town Council and Board of Education.
What is one are you will focus on if elected?
Frankly, I’m running for Deptford Town Council because I’m 100% confident that my running mates Derek Stallwood, Martin McDonough and I can do a better job, the people of Deptford deserve the best representation, concentrating on changing the culture of our municipal government to one of innovation, collaboration and real transparency, by promoting partnership with our residents in order to better serve Deptford. We are running for Deptford with Deptford.
