Councilwoman Fozia Janjua (left to right), Councilman Nikitas Moustakas, Mayor Stephen Steglik, Deputy Mayor Silvia Catalan-Culnan and Councilman Curtis Green at a reorganization meeting on Jan. 5.
Mount Laurel Council started the new year by swearing in a new mayor and deputy mayor at its reorganization meeting on Jan. 5.
Voorhees Mayor Michael R. Mignogna administered the oath of office to mayor-elect Stephen Steglik. He made history in 2021 when he became the youngest mayor in township history. He also served as mayor in 2023 and was deputy mayor last year.
“I want to thank the many people who have helped put me back in this position, most importantly, my colleagues,” Steglik noted. “They’ve bestowed upon me a faith and a trust that humbles me greatly. I’m going to work closely with all of you to make sure our individual goals and our collective goals can be met together.
“We’re going to have a great 2026.”
Assemblywoman Carol Murphy administered the oath of office to Silvia Catalan-Culnan as the township’s first Latina deputy mayor. She previously made history in 2025 as the first Latina elected to council.
Catalan-Culnan expressed gratitude to her fellow council members, and noted that Steglik initially encouraged her to run for council.
“I wanted to start by saying thank you to my colleagues on council,” she remarked. “I appreciate your leadership and your love for this town. (I also) wanted to give a special to our mayor (Steglik). You were the first one to believe, and encourage me to run for office.
“So I thank you for your support, for believing in me, and also for your mentorship and friendship.”
Catalan-Culnan then explained her motivation to serve the community.
“I came to this country from Colombia 10 years ago filled with hope and determination,” she recounted. “This community gave me the opportunity to be alive and raise my family. Because of that support and sense of belonging, I am proud to serve on council today and work every day to give back to the town that has given me so much.
“What makes Mount Laurel special is not only our neighborhoods and our schools, but our neighbors, the volunteers giving their time and the families believing in the future of this community as much as we do.”
The ceremony also featured the swearing in of new Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Cooper.
Visit the township’s YouTube Channel to view the reorganization meeting in its entirety. The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2.
