Siler, Trotto Join Council; Bianchini, Mercado Keep Leadership Posts

Four Democrats took oaths of office for seats on the Gloucester Township Council during the municipality's annual reorganization meeting Monday night.

Newcomer Tracy Trotto and Sam Siler, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served on Council in the 1990s, will replace Crystal Evans and Ken Garbowski as members of the township's governing body.

"I look forward to working with everyone on Council and in the township, and I look forward to continuing to do great things for Gloucester Township," Trotto said.

Before she and her running mates won the November election, Trotto was best known for bringing the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life all-night fundraiser walk to the township a decade ago.

Siler spoke about something he knows is on the minds of all township residents—taxes.

"I will do everything I can to make things better for this township and its residents. One of my concerns is to hold the line on a property tax increase, even if it means doing so with less," Siler said.

Trotto and Siler were joined by Council's longtime leadership team of Glen Bianchini and Orlando Mercado as the stars of the annual reorganization meeting.

Bianchini was named Council president for an 11th consecutive term by his peers during the meeting.

Bianchini, who was elected to council in 2000, has served as the governing body's president since 2002.

Mercado nominated Bianchini for president, and Siler seconded the motion. Council unanimously approved the Bianchini nomination.

Councilman Dan Hutchison then nominated Mercado for a return as Council's vice president's. Trotto seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by Council.

"Big O," Bianchini said to Mercado, "it's been a great seven years and the last five together—I think it's the last five—as leadership of this Council. I can't do it without you, kid. You've always been there to push me in a different direction, if needed."

Siler and Bianchini each took a moment at the end of Monday's meeting to thank Democratic Party supporters for helping their team to the November election sweep.

"I want to thank our chairman, Kevin Piccolo, and the Gloucester Township Democratic Party, as well as all of the Democratic county workers and all the people that supported us," Bianchini said. "We don't do this alone, by any means. This is my fourth term, and I didn't get here without the help of many, many people who taught me a lot of things along the way."