John Mooney Named to Galloway Council

The Republican Committee named John Mooney as the newest member of Galloway Township's Council during a special meeting held Wednesday night, Aug. 1.

According to Galloway Republican Chair Terry Lucarelli, the selection was made by an "overwhelming majority" of committee members.

"We are proud of our selection and know that he will serve with honor and integrity," Lucarelli said via email Wednesday night.

"I'm gratified that the members of the committee have placed their confidence and trust in me," Mooney said. "The process was established by statute and adhered to by the committee and council."

The decision to name Mooney to council comes 37 days after the seat became vacant due to the resignation of , on June 25. Mooney, Frank Lucarelli and Robert Chester were the three choices the committee gave to council on July 10.

According to statute, once a council seat becomes vacant, the party that councilman belonged to has 15 days to present three candidates to council. Council then has 15 days to select one of the three candidates, but if council can’t choose one, the decision is sent back to the committee.

The committee presented to council just before the deadline, and council decided to send it back to the committee one day prior to its deadline.

Council was scheduled to interview all three candidates at a special meeting on July 12, but Frank Lucarelli was unavailable. Council interviewed the other two candidates, and was scheduled to interview Lucarelli at its meeting July 24.

However, he once again declined to appear, writing in an email that it was his understanding council had already selected Mooney to the post, and describing the as having a “circus like atmosphere.”

Mooney and Chester were subject to questioning from the public at the special meeting, as Lucarelli would’ve been had he appeared on July 24.

"We're happy to have John on board," Councilman Brian Tyrrell said. "I'm confident his number of years as a police officer will help us. He has a lot of experience dealing with municipal government from the law enforcement perspective."

During his interview process during council's special meeting July 12, Mooney stated he was used to dealing with budgets with shrinking numbers. Galloway, like most municipalities, is currently dealing with a difficult budget that is resulting in layoffs next year. The township has already begun accepting voluntary layoffs.

On Wednesday night, Mooney called the budget an "area of great concern during this economic downturn." He mentioned the reduction in ratables and escalating construction fees, as well as the 2 percent cap.

"It makes for difficult decisions," Mooney said. "We have to look at things long and hard. We have to look at every service and see what needs to be saved, what can be outsourced, what can be a shared service. Tough decisions have to be made."

On Wednesday night, he spoke about the government's growth "from the federal level down," and its involvement in a lot of areas "it shouldn't be involved in."

"I'm a taxpayer, too," Mooney said. " ... It's a tough situation, and I believe I have a perspective that can assist council in its decisions."

"It was the Republicans' choice, they filled the position and now we'll see how it goes moving forward," Democratic Councilman Jim Gorman said. "I know John, I've always had good conversations with John. I will work with John just as I've worked with everyone else on council."

Mooney is a former Atlantic City Police Chief with 35 years of experience in the force. He’s been a Galloway resident for 24 years, and both of his children went through the Galloway K-8 school district. His wife is a nurse at AtlantiCare, and he’s been an active member of the Galloway Township Athletic Association, Atlantic United youth soccer, youth hockey and is a member of the Galloway Township Republican League.

He retired from the police force in May of 2010 after filing a lawsuit against Atlantic City a month earlier. The police department was scheduled to demote Mooney, and Mooney claimed that demotion and the hiring of a former public safety director violated the terms of his contract.

While working with the Atlantic City Police Department, he says he interacted with the Galloway Township Police Department on many "common law enforcement issues." He also said that as a Galloway resident of 24 years, there isn't much acclimation he needs to do to the township. He did say he expects things to come up as a councilman he never would've known about as a private citizen.

"I'll never say nothing surprises me, but I've dealt with many of the same situations that Galloway now faces," Mooney said.

Council now consists of six Republicans and one Democrat, with Mooney serving through the end of this year.

A special election will be held in November, and the winner of that election will serve the remainder of the unexpired term, through the end of 2013.

Mooney will run against Democrat in that election.