Nine candidates – three Democrats and six Republicans – are running for three Moorestown council seats in Tuesday primary election.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.co.burlington.nj.us.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Burlington County Regular Democrats
- James A. Barry
- Susan Mammarella
- Christopher Keating
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Burlington County Regular Republican Organization
- Gary Morris
- Nicole MacHenry
- Sam Foster
Republicans to Correct Irresponsible Actions
- Noreen P. Fitzgerald
- Peter H. Miller
- Christopher D. Emmert
Nicole MacHenry
Why are you running for council?
When we decided to set our roots in Moorestown, I was committed to making sure our children were going to experience a quaint little town with amazing schools, beautiful parks, a flourishing Main Street and more. Over the last few years, I have noticed that there’s been many decisions made by the current town council that are negatively impacting those things. I firmly believe we can not only do better, but our next generations deserve better. After feeling like my concerns were not being heard as a constituent, I decided to step up as a candidate to be part of the process to stop the fiscal irresponsibility and make changes that will positively impact all aspects of the town. I am involved in different organizations in town and a local realtor and teacher here. I have heard what the people are concerned about, whether it’s from our teachers, parents, coaches or just neighbors who are concerned about their property values and safety. I owe it to all of those who are part of Moorestown and devote their time to this community, to be a voice for their concerns and help make changes.
How long have you lived in Moorestown?
We moved here in 2015 when we purchased a home from my late great aunt, Ave Carite, in Stanwick Glen.
Any clubs/organizations/activities in town that you are involved with?
I work full time as a realtor for Weichert on Main Street leading a team of realtors with my mom, Michelle Carite, as my business partner. I am also a board member for the Moorestown Youth Football and Trinity Episcopal Preschool. Three years ago, I brought back and continue to run the Moorestown Youth Cheerleading Program and Coach for the Moorestown Lacrosse Club and the rec center whenever I am needed. I am also a Catechist and part time art teacher at OLGC School.
Certain areas of improvement or changes you would like to see happen in town?
There is a pretty hefty list to be honest, but to sum it up I am very concerned about many of the decisions being made over the years that will create a negative impact on the town’s size and safety, not to mention wasteful spending. One of the biggest things of concern right now is the town’s rapid growth and the impacts from this. If elected I hope to be a voice between the township and the school system to navigate through these changes so that we can preserve our award-winning schools and teachers without causing hardship to the community members, all the while fighting to maintain our open space and improve our parks and recreation facilities.
Sam Foster
Why are you running for council?
I am running to provide leadership and competence to a body that lacks both. The present council seems ill equipped to handle the current and future challenges that the township faces, with such internal dysfunction that two council members have resigned their positions in the last four years. Further, they have enacted nonsensical policies giving tax breaks to their special interests, handing government contracts to politically connected firms, eliminated Republican and Independent voices from township boards and committees and replaced them with their campaign volunteers and party insiders, and ignored the will of the people throughout town when it comes to rezonings that nobody wants or asked for. Our local government is completely out of touch and it’s time for a change. I have the experience, time and expertise to deliver, and our team is ready to serve.
How long have you lived in Moorestown?
Since 2020.
Any clubs/organizations/activities in town that you are involved with?
An active member of Rotary Breakfast Club, a supporter of local Jewish causes.
Certain areas of improvement or changes you would like to see happen in town?
Alter botched redevelopment plans for the Moorestown Mall and other blighted parcels; ensure any new development is actually wanted by the residents of that neighborhood; restrict future marijuana dispensaries since the Democrats approved legalized drug dealing in our town as they somehow thought that was a good idea to have around our children; provide complete transparency to all council dealings; and increase our number of police and provide them the tools and resources to do their jobs.
Peter H. Miller, Christopher D. Emmert, Noreen P. Fitzgerald
Why are you running for council?
We are primarily running for town council because we would like to correct the irresponsible actions created by the Democrats on town council in the past six years. We know the town well and we will avoid the pressures to turn Moorestown into a city.
How long have you lived in Moorestown?
Peter Miller has lived in town for 50 years, Emmert for 49 years and Fitzgerald has lived in town for 27 years.
Any clubs/organizations/activities in town that you are involved with?
Miller was on the planning board for seven years where he stopped many higher-density projects, and he was the former chair and member of the Low/Moderate Income housing committee for four years. He knows that negotiations are necessary to prevent monstrosity projects that we face. He was also the past president of the Moorestown Republican Club for 13 years which had a membership of over 300 people and hosted many brunches featuring races for Governor and U.S. Senate and Congress. He has been an elected member of the Republican committee by the voters. He has also been a longtime coach of rec basketball and soccer teams.
Emmert is a former elected Republican committee member in Lenola. He, like many other residents, pledges a better water system if elected.
Fitzgerald has been elected twice by the voters to the Republican committee. She is an advocate for revamping Moorestown’s water system to make it taste better and to reduce the hardness for better cleaning and bathing.
Certain areas of improvement or changes you would like to see happen in town?
We have repeatedly seen the pressures to turn Moorestown into a city. We will negotiate to downsize the COAH housing projects. We will avoid these monstrosities being built and reintroduce what previous town councils have done with longtime fair zoning laws with small, scattered site locations. We want to protect our neighborhoods by stopping any more halfway houses in or near residential zones and avoiding “Pot Shops” and marijuana farms in or near our residential zones. We pledge prompt action on fixing potholes, sinkholes and restoration of rough pavement, not excuses and delays to future years as the town council has done in the past six years.
(Gary Morris did not respond to request for comment.)
The available council seats currently belong to Sue Mammarella, David Zipin and Christopher Keating. Mammarella and Keating are running to retain their seats on a Democratic ticket with James Barry, an attorney.
Keating was appointed to the council on Dec. 18 to fill the vacancy of Jake Van Dyken, who stepped down from council a month prior with a little more than a year left in his term.
