Gloucester Twp. Council Members Speak Out After D.C. Violence

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Members of Gloucester Township Council implored the public to take the time to listen to each other in the aftermath of the riots in D.C. last week.

“In my office this week, there were some interesting conversations about what transpired, comparing marches and rallies in the summer, compared to what happened on Wednesday,” Gloucester Township Council President Orlando Mercado said during Monday night’s meeting. “We were just having very frank conversations, and I think that sometimes it’s good to have those conversations, and you get people’s perspectives, and be respectful of each other. I think there needs to be a lowering of the temperature, not just in our nation, but even here.”

Mercado, a Democrat, spoke about personal conversations he’s had with residents who confront council over issues such as the budget and other issues facing the township during public meetings.

But then they will play a game of cornhole in the parking lot after a meeting. As they toss bags back and forth, they get to know one another better.

“If you take the time to understand each other, where we’re coming from and have a conversation and dialogue, it’s OK,” Mercado said. “We have philosophical differences, but it’s OK to lower the temperature and have a conversation with each other.”

“We need to do a better job getting along with one another,” Councilman Dan Hutchison said. “I disagree tremendously with the Republicans in Washington, but I have to find a common ground and co-exist. And I really have to seek out that common ground, not to change people’s minds, but we have to get along with one another. If we don’t do that, we’re headed in a real bad direction.”

He said he speaks with the residents who come before council even after meetings consistently to help them settle their grievances.

“We don’t agree on very many things, but we have an agreement to disagree, and I think we have all got to start doing that,” Hutchison said. “We’ve got to change the dynamic.”

The comments came a few days after rioters stormed the nation’s capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. It also comes amid rumors of possible violence in each of the nation’s 50 state capitols this weekend, including New Jersey. Read more here: State, Local Police Brace For Possible Violence At NJ Capitol

Last week's violence and the threat of further violence this weekend has drawn condemnation from all sides. In his response to Murphy's State of the State Address on Tuesday, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick opened by saying he and Murphy are friends.

"What we saw in Washington was a disgrace to our country," Bramnick said. "I deeply disagree with Gov. Phil Murphy's approach to many of the areas of governing New Jersey, but he has been to my house. I have been to his house, and I feel confident that most New Jerseyans and most Americans are people of good will. We are not enemies; we are members of different political parties."