Township Council

Shanel Robinson was unanimously chosen by the Democrats on the Township Council Aug. 11 to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Brian Regan. Mayor Chris Kelly, a Republican, did not vote on the appointment because, he said, he was not given enough information on the candidates. Robinson was one of three candidates proffered by the township Democratic Party to …

A township councilman on Aug. 11 denied that he told the Human Relations Commission that a social media group’s opposition to Catalpa Park is race-based, and said that as an Indian-American, it is “impossible” for him to inject race into any discussion. During his statement, Councilman Rajiv Prasad (D-At Large) denied making any of the statements that led the commission …

Township Democrats on July 28 picked three candidates to replace former Township Councilman Brian Regan. Those selected were Shanel Robinson, William Galtieri and Joel Reiss. The three candidates “have shown a true commitment to our township over the course of many years,” Democratic Party chairman Assemblyman Joe Danielsen said in an email to township clerk Ann Marie McCarthy. The candidates …

Claims by a Township Councilman that a Facebook page’s opposition to the proposed Catalpa Park is race-based propelled the Human Relations Commission to vote to issue a statement denouncing the site’s language. The creator of the page disputed the charge. Councilman Rajiv Prasad (D-At Large) told the commissioners at their July 27 meeting that posts to the Facebook page “Tranquility Protection Alliance of …

The eight members of the Township Police Department and the Franklin Middle School’s school nurse were commended July 14 by the Township Council for their work in saving the life of a student in May. The student, who is 12 years old, went into cardiac arrest during a gym class. Members of the group commended were able to bring the boy back …

The Township Council needs to “revisit” its decision to not fund four new police officers for the Hamilton Street business area, Mayor Chris Kelly said at the June 23 meeting. Kelly made the comment after Pat Gianotto, chairman of the Hamilton Street Advisory Board, told the council that more needs to be done to make the area safer, especially in …

Mayor Chris Kelly is fighting Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a blood-borne cancer that attacks a body’s immune system. Kelly announced his condition at the June 9 Township Council meeting, stunning fellow council members. The mayor said that he started chemotherapy on June 5, and will undergo treatments every 21 days. “We’re hoping to be done by mid-Octorber,” he said. “It was a very …

Township Councilman Phil Kramer (D-Ward 3) easily held off a challenge June 2 to win the Democratic mayoral primary. Kramer, who is serving his second term as a councilman, handily defeated a challenge by a political newcomer, Michael Williams. With about 13 percent of registered Democrats voting, and without the votes of the 10th district, Kramer garnered 1,556 votes to …

Township Democrats head to the polls June 2 to choose whether a party loyalist or a young upstart will represent their party in November’s mayoral race. This is the third time in township history that residents will be able to directly elect a mayor, but the first time the position has been primaried. Running for the opportunity to carry the Democratic banner …

The Township Council at its April 28 meeting presented a handful of commendations and proclamations, recognizing heroism and anniversaries, among other things. Township police officers Deyo Swartz, Steven Ellmyer, Brian Quigley, Walter Skrowbowski and Nicholas Gambino were honored by the council for their actions April 15 in saving a Spruce Street woman from her burning home. Skrobowski and Swartz saved …