Politics & Government

Bianchini, Mercado Returned to Council Leadership Posts

Gloucester Township Council also adopts its 2013 meeting schedule during its reorganization meeting.

The longtime duo of Glen Bianchini and Orlando Mercado will continue to serve as Gloucester Township Council's president and vice president, respectively, into 2013.

Councilman Frank Schmidt nominated Bianchini for a return to the position he has held since 2002 during the township's reorganization meeting Wednesday night.

Schmidt's nomination of Bianchini was unanimously approved.

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Councilman Dan Hutchison then nominated Mercado for a return to the position he has held for several years now. That nomination also was unanimously approved.

Mayor David Mayer swore in both Bianchini and Mercado for their respective Council leadership roles during Wednesday night's brief meeting.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I want to thank my colleagues for their support and confidence for another term as vice president. I look forward to working with the administration, the mayor and also the Council president," Mercado said at the meeting's conclusion.

In addition to be returned to his position as Council vice president, Mercado will again represent the governing body on the Township Planning Board, as Council approved him as its liaison.

"I also want to thank my colleagues for having confidence in me leading the Council," Bianchini said. "Obviously, I can't lead without having a great second person. Orlando, I appreciate working with you and again working with the mayor and his staff."

Council also adopted its 2013 meeting schedule during Wednesday night's reorganization meeting.

Council is slated to hold public-action meetings beginning at 7:30 the following Monday nights: Jan. 14 and 28; Feb. 11 and 25; March 11 and 25; April 8 and 22; May 13; June 10 and 24; July 8 and 22; Aug. 12 and 26; Sept. 9 and 23; Oct. 28; Nov. 25.

Public-action meetings will also be held on Wednesday, May 29, Wednesday, Oct. 16, Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 26.

Work sessions will be held beginning at 7:30 the following Monday nights: Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 2. A work session will also be held Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The meeting schedule is subject to change.


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