Cinnaminson Swears In New Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Committeemen

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Two new committeemen joined Cinnaminson Township Committee, and a second-year committeemen assumed the mantle of mayor from an outgoing mayor that served the township for 16 years during Tuesday night's reorganization meeting.

Howard “Bud” Evans took the oath as Cinnaminson Mayor during the meeting at town hall. He will also serve as Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Liaison. He was first elected to Township Committee in 2016.

Don Brauckmann, now the senior member of the committee, was sworn in as Deputy Mayor, and will serve as Parks and Recreation Liaison. Evans and Brauckmann assumed the positions from Anthony Minniti and William “Ben” Young, who are both leaving the township government after each served Cinnaminson for over a decade.

Minniti was seated on March 2, 2002, shortly after being appointed to replace Mike Minton. Young was recognized for his 12 years of service with a plaque.

"This plaque is just for the last year, but I want to offer a handshake for your 12 years of service," Evans told Young, who also spent 12 years in the fire district, in presenting him with the plaque.

"When I first came on to committee, we tore down the first motel," Young said. "Last week, we began tearing down the Garden State Inn, the last of the motels."

The motels were long seen as a blight on the township. Young said he was proud to have been part of the progress the township made. Committeeman John McCarthy, who serves as Administration, Health and Senior Services Liaison, praised Young and Minniti during his public comments.

"You know how I feel about you," McCarthy said of both men. "I thank you for your service. Enjoy some well-deserved quiet time."

Ernest McGill and Ryan Horner joined committee following their victories in the November elections. McGill will serve as Public Works Liaison, and Horner will become the Finance and Economic Development Liaison.

In addition to Young, committee recognized four members of the community as Outstanding Citizens. Christine Turner, Claire Hunter and Helen Strobel were the first citizens to receive the township's new Recognition of Outstanding Cinnaminson Citizens (ROCC) honor. Crossing Guard Joe Malone was also recognized, but he wasn't in attendance.

ROCC recipients will be members of the community — but not employees — who go above and beyond in their service to the community. The committee is looking for residents who put service before self, and will be looking for a way to specifically honor Cinnaminson's fallen first responders and law enforcement officers in the near future.

Turner is a school board member who is active in various community activities. Hunter founded Hunter's Heroes — named after her late husband Lt. Christopher Hunter — which has donated rare training books to local libraries for use by firefighters and presented scholarships to a Cinnaminson High School graduate each June. Like Turner, Strobel was recognized for her volunteerism in the community.

The theme among the committeemen was a new beginning, and putting a tumultuous 2017 in the rear view mirror.

"Last year was interesting and challenging, but under Bud's leadership, I'm looking forward to an improved year," McCarthy said.

"I've lived here my whole life, and I've seen the potential Cinnaminson possesses," McGill said, adding that government only works when everyone works together.

Horner thanked Minniti for the advice he gave him in the week leading up to the reorganization.

"The power of 'we' is much greater than the power of 'I,'" Horner said. "Together, we can take Cinnaminson to new heights."

Brauckmann spoke about how each member of the committee is an individual, and everyone's voice will be heard. He also said committee will treat the public with civility and respect.

"We will each have different opinions. We will debate, and debate is healthy," Brauckmann said. "We will be respectful of each other, and each member will have an equal say and an equal voice."

"We are on the precipice of a new beginning," Evans said. "We can look at it as a future without faith or we can revel in a new horizon, with new thoughts, new ideas and a new direction. I choose to move forward and look toward the sun."

He added that no voice is too small or insignificant, and that when he looks at the committee, he doesn't see inexperience; he sees opportunity.

"It was Mark Twain who said, 'The secret of getting ahead is getting started,'" Evans said. "So let's get started.

Patch file photo