Longtime Gloucester Twp. Council Member Resigns

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A longtime member of Gloucester Township Council resigned last month, officials revealed at Monday's meeting.

Michelle Winters was first appointed to council in early 2013. She was elected later that year and then re-elected in 2017 and 2021.

Winters submitted her resignation June 25 — effective June 30. The council appointed Ciri Castro Jr. — a township resident and Camden City fire marshal — to succeed her on Monday.

In a resignation letter that Council President Orlando Mercado read aloud, Winters said she stepped down for "personal commitments and professional opportunities."

"Her family has grown, and she wants to spend time with her grand-babies," Mercado said. "So we wish her the best."

Winters had been running for re-election, with her council term expiring at the end of the year. She and Council Members Carolyn Grace and Helen Albright Troxell secured the Democratic nominations in an uncontested primary last month.

Three independent candidates also filed to run for council in November's General Election — Nicholas J. Rehrig, Jennifer O'Donnell and Arnaldo (AJ) Torres, who are all running under the "United For Change" slogan.

No candidates filed to run as Republicans.

• Read more: Independents File To Run Against Mayor's Ticket In Gloucester Twp. Elections

The township's Democratic Party leadership submitted three candidates to fill her vacancy — consistent with state law, since Winters is a Democrat. Council members interviewed the candidates and appointed Castro to serve the rest of her term.

Castro has lived in Gloucester Township since 2013, Mercado said. Outside of serving the Camden City Fire Department, he's also an Army veteran, a member of American Legion Post 281 in Blackwood, and a local baseball and basketball coach.

Winters wrote the following in her resignation letter, which Mercado read out loud:

"The decision was not easy, but after careful consideration I believe it is in the best interest of me and the council. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term serving the community and working alongside such dedicated individuals. The experiences and knowledge I have gained during my tenure have been invaluable. I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I’m willing to assist in any way possible during this period. Please let me know if I can help to make this process as seamless as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on Gloucester Township Council. I look forward to seeing continued success and progress in our community."

Winters chose not to attend the council meeting because she is "not one for fanfare," Mercado said.

"In the years that I have known her, she has been steady, fair, a strong leader and reserved," Mercado said. "But don’t mistake the fact that she is reserved for anything other than being a strong advocate for Gloucester Township."