Mayor Stacey Jordan discusses her time on Moorestown Township Council.
Councilman Michael Locatell has a moment that stands out when he thinks of his colleague and friend Mayor Stacey Jordan. He said one day the pair was on the phone discussing an involved issue as Jordan was driving down to her family business in Long Beach Island. He said Jordan had a lot on her plate at the time, but over the course of dealing with township issues and her family business, she paused while on the phone with Locatell to run in to the Burlington County Animal Shelter to drop off blankets just because she heard they were in need of them.
“That’s kind of the epitome of who she is,” Locatell said.
Having served two terms on town council, Jordan announced in late March she will not seek reelection. With her seat set to expire on Dec. 31, Jordan said her plan for the remainder of her time in office is to make sure Moorestown maintains its assets and continues the work that was got started during her time in office.
Raised in a family with a strong sense of civic engagement, Jordan was involved in community service from a young age. She said her father was always involved in government having served as mayor and a Burlington County Freeholder.
Her first role in public office was as a Burlington County freeholder. She came on to fill a vacant seat left by Dawn Addiego, who had left for the state Senate. She said with so many people in Burlington County who come from different backgrounds, the experience taught her to listen to a variety of perspectives.
When she moved to Moorestown with her family, she was approached by the Moorestown Republican chairman who asked her if she was interested in serving as a district committee woman.
“I just got involved,” Jordan said. “I love Moorestown and wanted to be a part of helping to continue that.”
Jordan was sworn in as the first female mayor of Moorestown in 2013. She said it was an honor and a privilege to be elected as the town’s first female mayor, but after about a day the prestige wore off, and it was time to get to work.
“You’re not more special than anyone else on council,” Jordan said with a warm, self-deprecating laugh.
Jordan’s longtime friend and fellow Moorestown resident Nancy Londres said Jordan came on to council during a tumultuous time following the loss of the town’s library, and since then, she has seen the town through “a lot of milestones” with strength and integrity.
“She takes on a lot; she gives of herself,” Londres said. “She doesn’t take her role lightly in anything she does: mom, daughter, friend, town council — she’s all in.”
Londres said Jordan is always one to respond to the individual and meet with people.
“She wasn’t just a mayor in office who didn’t really want to get their hands dirty and do the work,” Londres said. “She really did take it personally and respond.”
Despite having different perspectives, according to Jordan, Moorestown council is special compared to other towns because of their shared respect for another and their unified desire to work toward doing the best for the town.
Looking back at her time in office, Jordan said one of the things that she is most proud of is getting town hall and the library built following the fire of 2007. She said she ran for her first term on the platform of getting those structures built, and today, she is proud to see these buildings are not only functional but well-used by residents.
Jordan said from the moment she she first took her seat on council, she knew she wanted to serve two terms.
“Two terms is I think what people should do, and then it’s time for somebody else to give up and sacrifice to help their town,” Jordan said.
With her remaining time on council, Jordan wants to do one thing: maintain township assets. She said the township has invested money in itds roads, Strawbridge Lake and other infrastructure, and she wants to ensure those projects are sustained.
She said the most fulfilling aspect of serving on council has been meeting with and speaking to residents. Whether it was someone thanking her for her efforts or giving her an earful, she said all of the feedback was greatly appreciated.
While she is stepping away from council, she is certainly not stepping away from the community. Jordan said she plans to get more involved in other ways, whether it’s going to more of her son’s ice hockey games or her daughter’s rowing competitions.
Both Londres and Locatell said they were saddened to learn Jordan will not seek reelection. Locatell said council has a great synergy, and Jordan will be “deeply missed.”
“Her generosity, it extends past the public service stuff to people and the animal shelter,” Locatell said. “She’s actually donated her stipend from council. She’s extraordinarily generous is the key thing, and she is actively involved in so many different things that are unnoticed and not photo-op type of events.”
