Politics & Government

Search for Gentek's Replacement Underway

Councilwoman Michelle Gentek becomes a Camden County freeholder in January.

The process to find Michelle Gentek's replacement on Gloucester Township Council recently got underway, according to Council President Glen Bianchini.

Gentek will become a Camden County freeholder in January following her Nov. 6 election to the Board of Chosen Freeholders as part of a Democratic Party sweep of county races.

A date for the freeholders' 2013 reorganization meeting, during which Gentek will take her oath of office, had not been set as of Friday afternoon, according to Camden County spokesman Dan Keashen.

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

Gentek has one year remaining on her four-year term as councilwoman. Council's Dec. 27 meeting will be her last as a member of the township's governing body.

The Gloucester Township Democrat Committee recently began accepting applications from individuals who are interested in filling the remainder of Gentek's term, Bianchini said. The selected individual could also be named to the Democrats' slate in next November's election.

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

The Council President indicated the local Democratic Party committee will forward a list of three candidates to Council for its consideration.

It has not yet been determined whether those three candidates will be interviewed by the full Council or a subcommittee, Bianchini said following Monday night's Council work session. If by the full Council, the interviews would have to take place in a public forum.

Bianchini told Patch he did not have any early information on candidates to replace Gentek.

"I really haven't gotten into any of that," he said.

Bianchini also noted Council could potentially leave Gentek's seat open for a time after the Dec. 27 meeting, even after she assumes the county office in January.

Gloucester Township Council will likely hold its reorganization meeting on Jan. 2. A date has not yet been finalized, though.


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