Leusner Joins Middle Township Committee as Mayor

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Former Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner officially joined the Township’s governing body, as the municipality held its annual reorganization meeting on January 3rd. Leusner, a Republican, joins Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy and Committeeman Jim Norris on the three-person Committee, filling the vacancy created when four-term Committeeman and Mayor Tim Donohue chose not to seek reelection in 2023.

An overflow crowd of family, friends, dignitaries and supporters attended the ceremony. The MTPD Honor Guard began the meeting with the presentation of the colors. Josh Mercado and students from No Limits Academy led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Middle Township student Parker Lengel performed a stirring rendition of the National Anthem and MTPD Chaplain Scott Durbin gave the invocation.

Supported by his wife Natalia, sons Christopher and Cole and stepdaughters Sophie and Angie, Leusner was sworn into office by retiring Mayor Donohue. Also in attendance were Leusner’s proud parents, mother Carla and former Middle Township Committeeman and Mayor Charles (Chuck) Leusner.

Committeeman Gandy called for a motion to appoint Leusner as Mayor for 2024.  The motion was seconded by Committeeman Norris and passed unanimously.  Cape May County Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio had the honor of swearing Leusner into the Mayor’s role.

Ike Gandy was unanimously supported by Committee to continue in the role of Deputy Mayor.  Gandy was sworn in by former Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey and Cape May County Republican Chairman Michael Donohue.

In sometimes emotional remarks, the former Police Chief noted with pride the lifelong example of unselfish public service provided by his father. Chuck Leusner served eight terms on the Township’s governing body. Chris Leusner attended his father’s first swearing in ceremony at the age of six.  Leusner mused that he had practically grown up in Town Hall.

“Middle Township is a special place. Seventy-two square miles, from the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean,” Leusner said. “We have faced our share of challenges. But we always emerge stronger. Our strength comes from our unity.  We believe in community.  We believe in hard work. We believe in helping each other.”

Mayor Leusner lauded the leadership of former Mayor Donohue and pledged to carry on Donohue’s commitment to bringing good people together to do good work while providing excellent municipal services. Leusner praised the leadership of Township Administrator Kimberly Osmundsen and Police Chief Jennifer Pooler and looked forward to leading a team of excellent, experienced department heads, in partnership with Committeemen Gandy and Norris.

Leusner pledged to make certain that all voices, from every neighborhood, are heard and respected in the decision-making process.

“Together, we can ensure that Middle Township remains a model of good government,” Leusner concluded. “A fiscally responsible government, in a town filled with community spirit.  A town we can all be proud to call home.”