Mooney Hopes To Continue Learning In New Role As Councilman

John Mooney says that he expects being a of the Galloway Township Council to be a learning process.

"I've been able to meet with the township manager," he said. "To get briefed to the current situation in Galloway Township, and have had similar interactions with other members of council; just brief, insightful moments as to different items that find their way onto the agenda."

Mooney was on August 2. His first meeting .

At earlier this month, Mooney walked and talked with township residents.

"I was able to meet with some constituents there," he said. "Hear their voices and concerns; those are things that have helped me along."

Some of the biggest concerns that he says he has heard since joining the council are those of the , of which there will be a meeting held on Monday afternoon, and also issues with administrative burden on the .

"There were some concerns raised to me about the issues with our fire department," he said. "And basically providing an administrative arm to handle the paperwork for our fire department."

This he said, is a concern, because the fire department, which consists of volunteers, needs to handle required paperwork involving training records and other administrative necessities.

"Volunteers are completely willing to do whatever they have to do to protect our community," said Mooney. "To get out of bed in the middle of the night if need be, risk their lives, but their concern is they need some assistance to handle administrative paperwork."

Previously, Mooney said, there was an employee handling administrative work for the department, but that employee has since left.

"I've received assurances from the township manager that the situation is going to be rectified," he said.

Mooney was chosen to replace Dennis Kleiner by the , but the appointment lasts only through the end of this year, so for Mooney to retain his seat he would first have to win a special election in November against .

The winner of that election would serve through the remainder of Kleiner's unexpired term, the end of 2013. Which means that, if Mooney was to defeat McElwee, he would be up for reelection again in 2013.

"I don't think that I would be using my time wisely to develop a five year plan right at the moment," said Mooney. "I think that I have to look at the short term and see how best to use my energies to help the township in the short term, and we'll see if the citizens of Galloway approve of me in the fall."

The township's budget is also on the forefront of Mooney's mind.

"One way or another I'll be involved in helping formulate a budget that will be adopted next year, and I think that will be my greatest task," he said.