COURT HOUSE – After 13 years as chief of police, Christopher Leusner has stepped up to the mayor’s seat following a vote by his colleagues on the Township Committee.
Leusner, who sought elected office for the first time in November, replaces Timothy Donohue as mayor, after Donohue declined to seek another term. As mayor, Leusner follows in the footsteps of his father, Chuck Leusner, who also served as township mayor and committeeman.
Also at the Wednesday, Jan. 3, Middle Township reorganization, Theron “Ike” Gandy was selected to serve another term as deputy mayor.
County Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio swore Leusner in as mayor. Desiderio, himself a long-serving mayor of Sea Isle City, ended that part of the ceremony with a fist bump for Leusner.
In his prepared remarks, Leusner said he was “humbled and honored” to serve the people of the township as their mayor. He promised, “I will work hard for you.” He praised Gandy and Committeeman James Norris as two of the county’s hardest-working public servants and said the three of them will work as a team to meet the needs of the township.
Leusner also praised Donohue, saying that his 12 years on the committee and nine as mayor have left the township a “much better place.” He pledged to continue to keep Middle Township a model of good and fiscally responsible government.
He choked up as he recalled being a young boy accompanying his father on political campaigns. He beamed following a standing ovation.
The business of reorganization is largely routine. Professional services contracts are established or renewed, committee memberships are confirmed, a temporary budget is established until a 2024 budget is adopted, campground and mobile park licenses are renewed, and meeting dates for the governing body are set.
The temporary budget was $6.2 million for the general fund and $1 million for the Sewer Utility. The budget process usually runs through the spring before a permanent budget is adopted for the year; the 2023 budget was adopted on April 3. The total general fund budget for 2023 was $25.3 million, and for the Sewer Utility, $5.5 million.
Among the many resolutions adopted was one appointing seven members to the revamped Rent Leveling Board. The board was restructured at the end of 2023, with township officials saying that the old board had become dysfunctional.
A total of 15 campground licenses were renewed for 2024, along with 16 mobile home park licenses. The mobile home parks are subject to the township’s rent control ordinance.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
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