Gloucester Township Observer Podcast - October 6th, 2025

This podcast episode, hosted by Joe Allen and Keith Gibbons, recaps the Gloucester Township council meeting from September 22nd. The hosts provide commentary on public statements and council responses, focusing on local controversies and community issues.

Public Comments and Controversies
The meeting began with no speakers during the first public comment period. However, the second public comment section was active.

Danni Paris voiced her disapproval of remarks made by council members at a previous meeting, specifically calling a resident a "mental case" and their community a "nuthouse." She argued that individuals with mental health problems need help, not public embarrassment.

Brian Burns spoke about preserving a property on Hickstown Road, which is a natural heritage site supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. He questioned why the council won't vote to make it a redevelopment zone for preservation, especially since a developer plans to build four warehouses on the site. The council president responded by expressing concerns about eminent domain and taking private property. The hosts debated the legalities, suggesting that while the township can't seize the land, it could restrict building on it due to its protected status.

Angel Powell raised concerns about speeding and traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue, which she believes has worsened as drivers try to avoid the Black Horse Pike. She mentioned a recent near-accident and a previous incident where a truck almost hit her daughter's bedroom.

Brad McNeal addressed comments from Councilwoman Carolyn gRace at the previous meeting. He felt she unfairly implied that residents who opposed a new housing development were racist. He stated that their concerns were about overcrowding, traffic, and infrastructure, not the race of potential new residents. He argued that such accusations stifle open communication. Another resident, a Hispanic woman, echoed his sentiment, stating that diversity is more than skin color and that the councilwoman's divisive language was inappropriate.

Council Responses and Discussion
Council President Orlando Mercado responded to the comments. He shared a personal story about learning about different cultures in college, suggesting that the residents might have "learned something." The podcast hosts found his response to be a "word salad" that deflected from the issue and condescended to the speaker.

Councilwoman Carolyn gRace gave a lengthy, eight-minute response to the racism accusations. She claimed she lost her "voice" as a councilwoman because her words are often misconstrued. She explained that comments about dropping property values and abandoned cars "triggered" her as a woman of color, referencing her own past experiences. She stated she never called anyone a racist but was speaking from her heart. The hosts heavily criticized her response, noting the lack of an apology and pointing out that no resident had mentioned abandoned cars or property values in the context she described. They also highlighted the irony of her claiming to have lost her voice when there is generally no dialogue or discussion among council members during meetings.

The episode concludes on a lighter note, with a resident, Jim Nash, giving a plug for the new Glendora Ice Cream shop. The hosts discuss the new business and other local eateries, including a debate about parking availability at the new shop.