Moorestown Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly Stepping Down

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Stating that the opinion of his daughter is more important than the opinion of any member of township council, Moorestown Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly stepped down from his position as deputy mayor Monday night.

“Most people don’t know this, but I had brain tumor surgery when my wife was pregnant with my daughter,” Donnelly said during Monday night’s council meeting. “I spent the first year of her life in a cancer treatment center. She’s very important to me.”

The main reason Donnelly stated for stepping down from his position to help his daughter, who is now six years old, with her remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have to focus on helping her,” Donnelly said, adding that he is working remotely and all the work associated with being on township council makes everything more difficult.

“But the secondary reason I am stepping down is I spoke with the mayor during the reorganization, and she said I wasn’t doing enough as deputy mayor,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly said he has never missed a meeting, and was on active duty while he served on council. He said he also had a good track record when it came to attending committee meetings, and does everything while battling epilepsy.

“The entire time I was on council I did so without pay,” Donnelly said. “If this isn’t good enough, I don’t know what to say. So I’m going to dedicate the rest of my time on this Earth to my daughter, whose opinion of me is more important than that of anyone on this council.”

“I appreciate your service and your reasons for stepping down,” Mayor Nicole Gillespie said.

She didn’t acknowledge his comments concerning their conversation during her remarks, only saying the township would need something in writing from him that includes his specific resignation date. Donnelly said he would remain on council until a new member was selected to replace him.

Gillespie and Donnelly are both Democrats, and were both elected in 2018. Their election shifted the balance of power on council to a 3-2 Democratic majority from a 4-1 Republican majority. Read more here: Democrats Capture Seats, Shift Power On Moorestown Council

Democrat Lisa Petriello was mayor for the first year they were in the majority. In the second year of their term, Gillespie was named mayor and Donnelly was named deputy mayor. Read more here: Gillespie Appointed Moorestown Mayor; Donnelly Is Deputy Mayor

With the elections of Sue Mammarella, Dave Zipin and Jake Van Dyken last month, Democrats are set to take all five council seats at the reogranization meeting Jan. 4. Read more here: Democrats Hold On To Win 3 Seats On Moorestown Council

When a member of council resigns, it is typically up to that council member’s political party to submit three names to council for consideration.

Council then selects one of those candidates to fill the seat until a special election can be held to fill the remainder of the term. That special election would likely take place in November of next year. Donnelly’s term was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2022.

Donnelly said he was independent before running for his council seat as a Democrat. When the five members of council would discuss things, he would hear all sides out before making a decision.

"I ran as a Democrat, but in my heart, I'm an independent," Donnelly said. "It's been a highlight and a privilege to be up here."

Donnelly thanked the other members of council and the township staff, and they showed their appreciation for him.

"Good luck to you, and best wishes in all that you do," Petriello said.

"Brian, you worked hard for the town, and I wish you well," Township Manager Tom Merchel said.

"I want to thank Brian for his military service, his planning board service, his service on council and his service as deputy mayor," resident and former councilman Greg Newcomer said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Gillespie is now the only person with experience left on Moorestown Council come January, which Councilman Mike Locatell noted in his closing comments.

"The town is in good hands with you," Locatell told Gillespie.