Dennis Schmidt, age 73, a former school teacher and Vice Principal in Merchantville, NJ, died on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at home with his wife Andrea. Den was born December 12, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA, and grew up in Barrington, NJ. Den had multiple Master's Degrees and was a US Marine Corp Veteran, serving during Vietnam. After leaving the Merchantville school district, Dennis became a labor relations negotiator for NJ school boards, ending his career as an independent consultant for school boards across the state. An avid skier, once retired he spent the majority of the winter months in New England with Andrea enjoying all types of snow related activities. He is survived by his wife, Andrea, step-daughters Kim Bove (Chris) and their two children, Alex and Madison; and, Whitney Michalczewski (Kevin) and their two children, Milo and Miller. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: MDS Foundation at: http://www.mds-foundation.org/donate. Full obituary.
Shade Tree Meetings
The Merchantville Shade Tree Commission unanimously passed a motion at their July 14, 2021 meeting to begin holding in person meetings starting August 11, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings henceforth will be held in the multipurpose room at Borough Hall on the first floor. Meetings will continue at this time and place on the second (2nd) Wednesday of every month. The Commission provides a form online for borough property owner tree work requests.
Music Fest Returning
The 2021 Merchantville Music Fest is on!Save the date: Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 3:00-8:30 p.m. in the downtown. MMF volunteers Jon, Matt and Charlene have been busy working to bring you an amazing music festival this year! They are excited to bring fresh local music and food to you this fall. Stay tuned to their FB page for more information! Calling All Food Trucks - We're looking for food vendors. For information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or DM them on Facebook. Enjoy this live stream from the virtual 2020 Music Fest.
2021 Election Update
Official results for Merchantville's Primary Election 2021 will be certified on or before June 22nd. Initial Vote by Mail and voting machine ballots were counted on June 8, 2021, shortly after close of polls. Subsequent Vote by Mail Ballots (postmarked timely on or before Election Day are counted daily through June 14th, provisional ballot beginning on or about June 15th. These unofficial results last updated on June 18, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. may be checked daily and currently show the following: Merchantville Borough Council (Democrat) Cindy Morales-Butts 416 and Daniel Sperrazza (404) Write-In (10). Merchantville Borough Council (Republican) No petition filed. Merchantville County Committee Man (Democrat) Joseph Bouvier (247), Louis Fiume (235), Chester Hicks (233) and Daniel Sperrazza (229). Merchantville County Committee Woman (Democrat) Angela Waldron (259), Maria Nina Scarpa (245), Maureen Higgins (231) and Danette Strader (231). No Republican county committee petitions filed.
Diversity Meeting
Merchantville Diversity Committee's next meeting is in Wellwood Park July 22, 2021 at 6:30. The group is promoting a program called "One Book One Borough" to address a broad range of topics that impact communities. Their first issue is a book on Autism. The Committee’s mission is to promote an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and acceptance, ensuring the Borough is an exceptional place to live, work, and grow. We will work together with neighbors, businesses, and institutions to shape Merchantville into a community of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Meeting agenda.
Judge Thomas Feted
Congratulations to Judge Oren Thomas III on his retirement as Municipal Court Judge, a position he has held since 1996. While Judge Thomas officially retired on December 31, 2020, the Borough finally got to fete him and celebrate his 23 years of service to Merchantville at the Community Center on Thursday evening, June 24th. Many in attendance, including the mayor, Ted Brennan, court administrator, Maureen Finnegan and current judge, Brian K. Herman, expressed their appreciation for his dedication to public service, gratitude for his legal competence and mentorship and, his fair and impartial application of the law.