Mercado Recalls Family Journey At Gloucester Twp. Reorganization

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Orlando Mercado got choked up talking about his family Moments later, he was crying, recalling his journey as the son of immigrants to the seat at the head of a council in a town of more than 60,000 people.

“I am the son of immigrants. My parents came from Puerto Rico seeking a better life,” Mercado said moments after being sworn in as the Gloucester Township Council President by his fellow council members for the fourth consecutive year at Friday night’s reorganization meeting at the municipal building.

His father was a migrant worker who came to South Jersey and started a business, he said. His mom became a widow at 37 when he died. She had three children, and her late husband had no health insurance and no 401(k).

Mercado said his mother’s stubbornness and those who were close to the family helped keep them afloat. A teacher saw promise of academic success in his older sister and helped her get into college.

From there, his sister helped him get into college, and they helped his younger sister go to college. These experiences made him want to help others. He said the principles of being kind, finding peace and being a friend to others help guide him in what he does every day. It also helps guide the mayor and council in making sure everyone has a better life.

“We’re all in this together,” Mercado concluded before surprising Mayor David Mayer and his fellow council members with lapels that read, “Gloucester Township Council Member” on them.

Mercado was also one of four council members who were sworn in to new terms Friday night. He, Michael Mignone, Andrea Stubbs and Tracey Trotto were all sworn into another four years in office. Trotto, who is in her third term, was also elected by the other members of council to serve as council vice president.

“When I first started, I didn’t think I could do this,” Trotto said, adding that having the help of her family and the community has helped her grow in the position over the years.

She first approached council in 2009 with an idea to bring the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to the township.

“I recently surpassed $600,000 to fight breast cancer,” Trotto said. “My point is, if I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Mignone is active with the Gloucester Township Field of Dreams. Stubbs is an educator who says she feels privileged to work with a “group of people on council who want to see what’s best for the community.” They were both sworn in to their second terms on council.

State Sen. Fred Madden (D-4) said whenever he comes to Gloucester Township, he always sees people smiling.

“It’s a township of 60,000-plus people, but it’s still a homegrown, close-knit community,” Madden said. “I don’t usually see that in a community this large.”

“I was shopping at the Gloucester Premium Outlets earlier today, and it was great to see the progress that happens only because of great leaders,” Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-4), a Gloucester Township resident said. “ … This is an extraordinary community that will continue to grow and thrive only if all of us work together.”

“I remember when there was nothing around,” Camden County Surrogate Michelle Gentek-Mayer said. “It’s exciting to see what Gloucester Township has grown into.”

Following the swearings-in and the comments from officials, council made their professional appointments and the appointments to various boards and commissions for the upcoming year. To see the list of this appointments, visit glotwp.com.