Town Hall Meeting with District 9 Representatives Possible

Galloway Township residents have expressed concern over the town being redistricted last week. With a new group of legislators, it remains unclear how Galloway will be treated in these unchartered waters, and one resident expressed her fears at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

“I don’t want them coming in just before elections to get our vote and that’s it,” resident Anna Jesky said in the public comment portion of the meeting. “After the election, we become a part of District 9, and then what happens?”

The members of the council share those concerns, and are attempting to put together a town hall meeting sometime next month.

“We’d like to have it in the middle or the end of next month,” Deputy Mayor Don Purdy said. “We’d like to have it at Stockton College or one of the schools, some big venue. … The public needs to feel comfortable with them. The politicians have to sell themselves to the voters.”

Last week, Galloway Township was redistricted into the Ninth Legislative District after spending many years in District 2. There is apprehension among residents who recognize that Galloway is no longer in a district that is made up exclusively of Atlantic County towns. The new district consists of some Atlantic County towns, but is made up predominantly of Ocean County towns, with a touch of Burlington County sprinkled in.

“I don’t want it to be difficult to get in touch with them should any problems arise,” Jesky said.

“They’ve made a pledge they will be available,” Purdy said. “Right away, they reached out to us.”

The district’s legislative offices are located in Forked River, no shorter than a 45-minute drive from Galloway. The council is also considering requesting a satellite office closer to the township.

Galloway will be the second largest municipality in its new district, and with the added population of nearby Port Republic, the two towns represent the largest population among those in District 9.

The council has met with Senate representative Christopher J. Connors and the other representatives of District 9 three times so far, and all of the exchanges have been positive on both sides.

“They want to have a relationship with us,” Purdy said. “That’s why we’ve proposed a town hall meeting. The residents have to feel comfortable with the people they vote for.”