Now into his ninth year on the Voorhees Township Committee and his seventh year as mayor, Michael Mignogna was again sworn into the township’s highest office last night in front of a packed town hall.
Mignogna was nominated by each member of the committee to serve again as mayor. His brother, Stephen, swore him in at the meeting, as two of Mignogna’s children stood by his side.
Bernie Platt, who just completed a decade of service as Mayor of Cherry Hill, also swore in his son, Harry Platt, as a committeeman. Platt’s wife Hilary and children Jaclyn and Jacob also took part in the swearing in.
At the meeting, both Platt and Committeeman Mario DiNatale were appointed to share the role of deputy mayor.
Howard Long was reappointed by the committee to serve as township solicitor, along with Joseph Hoffmann as township auditor.
After being named mayor, Mignogna shared some thoughts with the audience on the past year, as well as what’s ahead for the township.
Mignogna spoke about the impact new businesses, such as the new Virtua complex on Route 73, and the flurry of additions to the Voorhees Town Center, including Town Hall, have had on the community.
“Virtua has become the jewel of Route 73 and the Voorhees Town Center’s incorporation of town hall into the town center — it’s quickly becoming the downtown we’ve always hoped it would be,” Mignogna said. “It’s becoming the heartbeat of Voorhees Township.”
Mignogna also spoke about some improvements felt in town hall over the past year, including the town hall building itself.
He said the new space has received a great response so far, and has allowed residents to better participate with the township.
He also thanked township employees for creating a new, user-friendly website, as well as an increase in residents using the township’s Nixle alerts, which provide information from police, fire and emergency officials, as well as updates from the township.
Mignogna also spoke about what the township is looking forward to in 2012, including preserving open space and searching for additional shared services with nearby towns and school districts.
“Our most challenging job is to maintain tax stability while controlling spending,” Mignogna said. “We now have 25 less employees than in 2003 — and we joined sensible shared services.”
Mignogna also reiterated the committee’s stance on a proposed countywide police force and charter schools in Voorhees, saying both are unwanted.
Looking back at the last year, Mignogna said he was proud businesses in the township created more than 1,600 new jobs in 2011. He also highlighted the success of the summer twilight series, the diversity committee’s international day and the sixth-annual Halloween event.
Mignogna also thanked the township’s employees, and community non-profits, for continuing their mission in the township, as well as board members and volunteers for what they give back to Voorhees.
At the end of his address, the mayor thanked his family for their support and spoke about his mother and father watching over him as he continues to serve his community.
“I hope to make them proud,” Mignogna said.
