John McCarthy Sworn in as Cinnaminson Mayor

An emotional John McCarthy stopped a few times, but was able to maintain his composure as he thanked his family for their support during Monday night’s reorganization meeting at town hall.

Earlier in the night, McCarthy was elected mayor of Cinnaminson unanimously by the members of committee.

McCarthy thanked the other members of committee, the various township employees and Cinnaminson’s first responders.

When it came to his family, McCarthy took pause to thank his wife and two children in attendance, as well as his son who was being honored as a player on the high school boys soccer team that advanced to this year’s state final.

“I’m sorry you can’t be here, but more importantly, I’m sorry I can’t be there for you,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy assumes the role from Anthony Minniti, who served as mayor for the last year. McCarthy spent 2014 as Cinnaminson’s deputy mayor, the role Kathy Fitzpatrick was elected to Monday night by members of committee, unanimously.

He was first elected to committee in 2012, when he ran alongside then-mayor Don Brauckmann.

“This is my third year, and I’ve learned a lot over the first two years, but I know I have a lot more to learn,” McCarthy said. “ … I believe in this committee, the administration and the employees. This team will work together to serve Cinnaminson.”

Fitzpatrick said she was filled with ”pride and excitement.”

“The new mayor has already demonstrated his leadership ability,” Fitzpatrick said. ”This committee understands the importance of lower taxes and maintaining services, and that will be our goal again this year.”

Committee Member Ben Young praised McCarthy for his service as deputy mayor.

“While you were deputy mayor, we worked closely and I know you always have the best interests of the residents in mind,” Young told McCarthy during Monday’s meeting. “Tony lead us as mayor for the last year and he continued to add to his legacy.”

Minniti was first elected 13 years ago, while running with Young. Both men were re-elected in November and sworn in to three-year terms on Monday night.

“Time has given me perspective on how much the town has changed,” Minniti said.

He spoke about the residents’ desire for a “small-town” feel when he first ran for committee.

He used this year’s “Trunk or Treat,” in which a Facebook post from an individual parent turned into an event that drew over 1,000 people, as an example of the residents’ evolution from a group that asks “Why don’t we have this?” to a group that asks “How can we do this?”

“The organizers had the passion, and they looked to the committee for help rather than to do it for them,” Minniti said. “I want to recognized the volunteers that help make Cinnaminson special.”

The attached image of John McCarthy is a Patch file photo