Michele Golkow Appointed To Vacant Cherry Hill Council Seat

CHERRY HILL, NJ - One of the six Democratic candidates running in June’s primary for a seat on Cherry Hill Council has been appointed to the council early.

Michele Golkow, a longtime Cherry Hill resident, was appointed to the Cherry Hill Township Council at Monday night's meeting, township officials announced Tuesday morning. Golkow fills the Council seat vacated by Melinda Kane, who resigned on March 28, after being chosen to fill the vacant seat on the Camden County Freeholder Board.

"To the people of Cherry Hill, I promise that I will represent you with integrity, honesty and openness,” Golkow said. “As a long-time community advocate, I know that collaboration, transparency, and treating people and their ideas respectfully is crucial to good government.”

"Michele is a great addition to Council- she is smart, well-respected in the community, and an extremely hard worker, and I know she will serve with dignity and respect," Mayor Chuck Cahn said. "She has a wealth of experience in social service, and shares our commitment to fiscal responsibility, strong neighborhoods, and governmental accountability."

Golkow is one of three candidates running on the Camden County Democratic Committee ticket in June’s primary. She is running alongside incumbent Councilman Brian Bauerle and their running mate Jennifer Appell. Kane was up for re-election before joining the freeholder board. Council Vice President Sara Lipsett is also not running for re-election.

In the June 4 primary, Bauerle, Golkow and Appell are running against Scott Soffen, Chiyoung "JiYoung" Min and Nathaniel DeMarino, running on the Democrats of Camden County ticket.

Joshua D. Duvall, Steven J. Lever and Mary Ellen Litton are the Republican candidates in the Nov. 5 elections for the three open council seats. Richard Bowen has announced his intention to run for council as a Libertarian.

Read more here: Who's Running For Cherry Hill Mayor, Council In 2019?

Golkow has lived in Cherry Hill for 25 years, according to officials. Her husband, Curt, has been a Cherry Hill resident since he was in fourth grade. They have raised two children in Cherry Hill, both of whom attended Stockton Elementary School, Beck Middle School, and Cherry Hill High School East.

Golkow is the immediate past president of Temple Beth Sholom and worked extensively in the areas of budget, governance, strategic planning, and community engagement. She is also a past president of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern New Jersey and a current member of its Advisory Council.

Golkow has served as a Board member of the non-profit Uplift Solutions, helping to support businesses and local government in creating sustainable access to healthy, fresh foods in underserved communities.

Golkow is an attorney practicing employee benefits law at Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Law.

"Michele's experience, integrity, and devotion to community service will make her the perfect advocate for the residents of Cherry Hill," Council President David Fleisher said. "I look forward to working with her as we continue to build a strong, healthy, and compassionate community."