The Haddonfield election results have been finalized and all three winners of commissioner seats were sworn in on May 20.
Both incumbents, Dave Siedell and Frank Troy, were reelected after receiving the most and second-most votes, respectively; at last count, Siedell had 2,259. Having only begun his term as commissioner last November, he expressed gratitude for the community.
“It’s very rewarding to earn the trust of your community …” Siedell said. “One was the promise of a job that they hoped I would do, and the other one is a reinforcement that at least I have done what I said I would do to the best I could and it’s recognized.
“It’s unique,” he added. “I don’t think a lot of people get that opportunity to get that reinforcement right away.”
Siedell also noted that he’d like to hear the ideas of the other commissioners to collectively solve problems in the borough.
Troy received 2,199 votes. He’s hoping that in the next term, he’ll be able to see several of the major projects that began in the last term – including the Bancroft redevelopment – come to fruition. He also thanked those who supported him in a statement on his campaign’s Facebook page.
“Everytime I was tired, pressed for time, doubted my capabilities, etc., all of you were the source of positive energy to keep me going, to host another event, to meet more friends and do it again,” Troy acknowledged in is post. “I am eternally grateful for your support.”
Itir Cole was elected for the third seat on the board with a victory over Bill Shanahan.
“I’m really looking forward to digging in and working closely with the other two commissioners to take really good care of our town,” she said.
Cole also wants to work collaboratively with the other commissioners. Specific roles for each will be decided at the next board meeting and each will be responsible for one of three portfolios: revenue and finance; public works, parks and public property; or public safety.
Siedell previously served as commissioner of revenue and finance, with Troy as director of public works, parks and public property in their last terms, but the roles could shift depending on how the three commissioners choose to divide the work.
As it is Cole’s first term, she has not yet had a role on the board, but has expressed interest in any of the available portfolios.
