Valleybrook resident Darren Gladden was the lone township resident to file as an independent candidate in this November's Township Council race.
The deadline for independent candidates to file was 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Gladden will run under the name "Conservative Independent." His petition had 124 signatures when he dropped it off to the Camden County Clerk's Office, in Camden, Tuesday morning.
With Gladden officially joining the field Tuesday, there are now nine total candidates seeking four Council seats.
The Democratic slate includes two incumbents—Council President Glen Bianchini and Vice President Orlando Mercado—and Tracey Trotto and Samuel M. Siler, who previously served on Council.
The Republican candidates for Council are Linda Musser, who is a member of the Township Planning Board, Samuel Garro, Erica Weissmann and Barbara Ashton.
Councilwoman Crystal Evans did not file to run as an independent candidate, as some had speculated she might have been planning to do when she did not file for Tuesday's primary by the April 11 deadline.
The only way the incumbent councilwoman could seek re-election at this point is to take the place of one of the nine candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.
It is almost certain Evans, a registered Democrat who has distanced herself from the Democratic Party in the township over the last two years, won't be welcomed on the Democratic ticket.
(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Primary day 2011 will see 4 republicans and 4 democrats vying for 4 seats on the township council. Darren Gladden has added his name to that list today because neither major political party understands the needs of the average citizen. “I am running for council because I care, care for the people, care for the community. It is difficult watching our great town starting to fall apart because those in power play political games”, stated candidate Darren Gladden. “…it is difficult for people to keep an eye on government when they are losing their home or working 2 jobs to pay their property taxes. It is time for as real change and maybe a real voice to be heard among the political talking heads”, Gladden continued. Gloucester Township has 7 council members and 4 seats are up for grabs this November including the president and vice president of council. “Our town deserves better than the decades old leadership that we have in place, we need a fresh approach and a clearer direction. One party rule is horrible and it is my hope to end that come November. I am as average a citizen as you will find, the common man. Vote for Gladden, you’ll be Gladd you did. Just care I do”, concluded Mr. Gladden.
Please do not feel disheartened if you feel you are losing your only advocate on Council. Even if after the Fall election, you personally believe next years council will have no one speaking for you or the other taxpayers, you always have yourself to be an advocate. I do not want to sound like a broken record, but as a township govered under the Faulkner Act, the citizens are an equal branch of the government to the Council and Mayor. We do not have the day to day powers and decision making but we have a voice and a means to govern. I do not know if you are one of the individuals who attend meetings or not, but if you are not please start coming and being your own advocate. South Jersey Citizens have only been doing this for the past few months but we are able to get our voices heard and start to enact change. There is no reason why you or anyone else cannot do the same thing. We are going to have at least two new faces on Council next year, maybe even four. With the proposed changes to email you will have direct communication to all of them plus the three who are not up for re-election. I suggest you talk to them about issues you have. They are people just like you and me. They may not necessarily agree with what you say but they are reasonable people who will listen. I think you will find at least one who can be the advocate you feel you are losing. But if not you can be that advocate.
Notice none of the cronies are on here commenting! Not one democratic thug saying anything. Do you really think we are this stupid!
http://youtu.be/tgJgy0PRaJQ