Don Purdy Re-Elected as Galloway Mayor

Incumbent Don Purdy was chosen to serve two more years as Galloway Township mayor in a 4-2 vote of Township Council on Thursday night.

Purdy was the only candidate nominated but fellow Republicans Frank Gargione and Robert Maldonado cast dissenting votes.

Purdy, 40, was first elected to council in 2009. He became mayor two years ago after serving as deputy mayor. He owns DP Towing, Purdy Collision and Purdy Automotive. He is a lifelong resident of Galloway Township.

Incumbent Republican Anthony Coppola Jr. was re-elected as deputy mayor in a unanimous vote of Township Council. He was the only candidate nominated.

The selection of the mayor and deputy mayor highlighted Galloway Township's annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2 at the Municipal Complex.

The meeting also included the swearing-in of Purdy and three new Republicans elected in November 2013: Gargione, Maldonado and Timothy Meadows.

The makeup of Township Council now includes six Republicans and a lone Democrat, Jim Gorman.

In brief remarks after his election, Purdy said his main objective is to keep Galloway Township affordable — "a great place to raise your kids and to retire." He said he will concentrate heavily on economic development to attract new businesses (and tax revenue) to the township.

Purdy later congratulated Meadows on being the first black elected to council in Galloway history. He said he was proud of a diverse and committed council.

"Your biggest decision is right now," Galloway Township resident Tom Mitchell said. "Filling Arch's shoes."

Galloway Business Administrator Arch Liston will take the same position in Atlantic City and must be replaced.