Cherry Hill welcomed David Fleisher as its new mayor on January 2 and the council’s annual reorganization meeting. Fleisher had previously served for 24 years on the council and 18 years council president prior to serving as mayor. He is a graduate of the Cherry Hill Public Schools.
During the reorganization meeting, it was also announced that former vice president and newly re-elected councilman Brian Bauerle would be stepping down from that position to become Chief of Staff for the administration.
Fleisher announced that they would be following customary statutory processes for filling his and Bauerle’s vacancy, and that the three nominees for each position selected by the Democratic Committee will be posted with the agenda for the next council meeting on the Friday prior to the meeting on Monday, Jan. 22.
“Brian was an outstanding council member and I’m grateful for his ongoing service to our community in his new role,” said Fleisher. which I will present this evening for approval.”
Jennifer Apell and Michele Golkow were sworn in to renew their positions as councilwomen. The council unanimously elected councilman William Carter III to serve as council president and Michele Golkow to serve as vice president.
“I am deeply humbled and honored for the opportunity and the faith shown to me by my colleagues on council and the people in Cherry Hill,” said Carter. “Tonight I have to think of people like Bill McCargo, Joyce Walker, all of the originals from what is now known as the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association that not only showed us how to lead but gave us he opportunity to lead.”
After being sworn in, Fleisher gave an overview of his top three priorities: fiscal accountability, delivering for the neighborhoods –ensuring that residents receive the municipal services they expect, public safety and continuing to strengthen relationships amongst all residents across town. The third pillar was preserving and investing in things that make Cherry Hill special. He also announced the launching of a Business Advisory Committee and the return of the Mayor’s Citizens Advisory Board.
“We celebrate our diversity in Cherry Hill and as your mayor, I will continue to ensure people are treated with dignity, respect and kindness, and you can count on me and this entire team to lead by example,” Fleisher said. “We need to do a better job of bringing people together in our town.”
Fleisher was met with a standing ovation. He noted that one of the focuses will also be on revitalizing neighborhood parks, enhancing programming at historic properties, expanding trails and environmental spaces and providing outlets for residents to improve their health and wellness through the mayor’s wellness initiative. In the coming year, residents can also expect an enhanced website as well as a user friendly app is expected to be launched.
In his speech, he gave many acknowledgements to family and other leaders who had helped and impacted him growing up.
“Our parents and grandparents sacrificed so we could have opportunities,” he said. “Because of them, we now have the chance to make a difference in other peoples’ lives. And that, my friends, is the core mission of my tenure as mayor and of this administration and council–making a positive impact on peoples’ lives.”
In other news;
- Erin KNoedler will continue to serve as Business Administrator. She had previously searched as Deputy TOwnship Administrator for Evesham Township and Director of Operations for Union City, NJ.
- Cosmas Diamantis Esq. will serve as Municipal Attorney and as Interim Director of Community Development until a new director is hired
- Tracie Kniaz will serve as Director of Community Engagement and Constituent Services.
The next meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
