Fanwood Dems Nominate Erin Barker, Patricia Walsh For Re-Election

FANWOOD, NJ — The Fanwood Democratic Committee has nominated Borough Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker for a third term and Councilwoman Patricia Walsh for a second term on the Fanwood Borough Council for the primary election on June 8.

Barker is the chair of the Council's Administration and Finance Committee and is the Council liaison to the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Committee. Barker has been very involved in social justice issues as the community seeks to fight racial bias. Barker is an 18-year resident of Fanwood and is married with two boys. She is a full-time social worker at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick specializing in helping people with chronic disease. She has worked with children and families for more than 20 years.

"Two terms on the Council have given me a solid foundation in local government," Barker said. "I am confident we can continue to work hard to hold the line on taxes, maintain services and be vigilant against acts of racism."

Walsh is a 29-year resident of Fanwood whose four children have all gone through our public school system. Her strong interest in public education is rooted in her 30-year career as a teacher in the New York City school system and her involvement in local PTAs and school-sponsored programs in our community. Walsh is chair of the council Public Safety Committee and as such, Fanwood's Police Commissioner. She has served on the Historic Preservation Commission and been involved in many Recreation Commission events.

"I am looking forward to another three-years on the Fanwood Council," she said. "We've made a lot of progress in our town, improving infrastructure and working hard to keep taxes manageable. While Erin and I have both been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we are keenly aware that the pandemic is still going on and that we must continue to follow the science."

"I am very proud to serve with these two accomplished women as we face the challenges of 2021," said Mayor Colleen Mahr. "I urge our citizens to return them to office for another term."

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