Evesham Township council voted for Councilwoman Ginamarie Espinoza as its deputy mayor during a Jan. 3 reorganization meeting.
After Mayor Jaclyn Veasy requested nominations from council, Espinoza was officially appointed and sworn in after a 3-2 vote.
”Throughout the past three years, I’ve had the honor and privilege to represent the best town and residents in New Jersey as your councilwoman,” she said. “I am humble and grateful to start 2024 as your deputy mayor and to continue to work hard for all the residents of Evesham.
”I’d like to thank (council) for their continued support and the work we do together for our community,” Espinoza added. “Finding new ways to help constituents, always crafting new events, programs, and services to provide to the community. I appreciate the opportunity to work with all of you and our neighbors.”
The new deputy mayor cited an upbringing with parents who held military, police, and first-responder jobs as a key factor in her drive to help others. She also noted some of council’s accomplishments during her service, including a continued progression through initiatives such as the Marlton farmer’s market, which completed its fifth season last year and its second in a new location at Evesboro Down Park. Espinoza also served as the market’s chair.
”It’s easy to understand why I’m truly honored to be the Evesham Township deputy mayor,” Espinoza noted. “I’m emboldened by the great work that we can all accomplish when we work together. As I’ve said in the past, ‘This is not about me, it’s about us.’
“We must make sure that Evesham is a home for (everyone), whether you’re beginning your life here, retiring, here, starting a business or raising a family here,” she added. “I take this job very seriously and I am really lucky to have the chance to be able to serve all of (the township).”
During the meeting’s council remarks, Veasy reflected on being questioned about her affection for the township.
“Recently, I was asked why Evesham is so great,” she recalled. “‘Why do you love it so much?’ The answer is and will always be the people who live here, who work and invest here, who visit and play here. More than anything else, it is all of us working together that makes Evesham great.
“Everything we do as a community is built around the needs, dreams and passions of the people who live here.”
The mayor then expressed her trust in council to continue its efforts in the new year and work out potential disagreements.
“I have confidence in this council to make decisions based thorough consideration, discussion, and public input,” she explained. “When we disagree, I hope that we will remember that our diversity of opinion reflects the diversity of our residents.”
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the township municipal building.
