GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - Three political novices were sworn into office Tuesday night before a standing-room-only audience of relatives, friends and supporters at Galloway Township Council's reorganization meeting.
Republicans Don Purdy, Dennis Kleiner and Whitney Ullman made their first bid for public office in November. They combined with Tom Bassford on a slate that clinched all four available seats for the Republicans. The sweep ousted 23-year veteran Meg Worthington and Tom Schurtz, who had served one year of an unexpired term, leaving Jim Gorman the lone Democrat on the seven-member council.
Republican Al DeSimone did not seek re-election.
Council unanimously voted Tuesday for Councilman Keith Hartman to serve as mayor and Purdy as deputy mayor. Fellow council members vote on who serves in that spot each year.
"We're aware of where the problems are and we'll have to make some tough decisions," Hartman said. "We're committed … and when we leave here, Galloway will be in better shape than how we found it."
Hartman will sit on the budget committee, along with Kleiner, who revealed during the reorganization meeting Tuesday night that he battled thyroid cancer during his campaign, but is now on the mend after a successful operation four months ago.
Kleiner is a business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 351. Ullman runs her own jewelry business My Jewels by Whitney. Purdy runs Purdy Collision and DP Towing.
Contact Emily Previti:
609-272-7221
