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When Merchantville Democrats head to the polls this Tuesday to cast their ballots in the New Jersey Primary Election, they’ll have the choice of four candidates for Borough Council: Kim Brady, Ruby Delarosa, Sean Fitzgerald, and Amie Miller.
The top two vote-getters will appear on the November General Election ballot as Democratic candidates for two available three-year terms on the Merchantville Borough Council. (No Republican has filed a petition seeking office.)
New Jersey has closed primaries, which means voters must declare their affiliations for a party in order to participate. Registered, unaffiliated voters may participate in the primaries at the polls, provided that they have never previously declared a party affiliation, or are first-time primary election voters.
All four candidates have been invited to reply to the same set of prompts, telling voters about themselves, their priorities, and their views of the current state of affairs in their community. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Kim Brady, 45 (Challenger)
Real estate agent Kim Brady is a married mother of two college-aged children who enjoys horticulture, her monthly book club, and living in a walkable town.
Whether patronizing local businesses like the Blue Monkey Tavern and Eclipse Brewing, or hosting friends at her home, Brady appreciates good food, good conversation, and bringing neighbors together to enjoy the best of small-town living.
What is your philosophy of government?
I believe elected officials should be independent of conflicts of interest in both their work and personal relationships, ensuring that decisions are made solely for the good of the community they serve.
I believe government works best when it is responsive, transparent, and focused on the everyday needs of the people it serves.
Local government especially should be about practical solutions rather than partisan or affiliation politics. Residents deserve to know how decisions are made, how their tax dollars are spent, and that their concerns are being heard.
My philosophy is simple: listen first, ask questions, and work collaboratively to solve problems. Good government should foster a strong sense of community, be a responsible steward of public resources, and create opportunities for residents to be engaged in shaping the future of their town.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as an elected official?
My professional background has centered on bringing people together, solving problems, and advocating for others.
As a realtor, I work with clients, attorneys, lenders, contractors, inspectors, and government departments to navigate complex situations and achieve successful outcomes. This has strengthened my communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Earlier in my career, I worked in hospitality, where I learned the value of listening, collaboration, and customer service. I’ve also organized community events and initiatives, developing strong organizational skills and a passion for connecting people.
Most importantly, I care deeply about our community and believe residents deserve elected officials who are accessible, engaged, and committed to representing their interests.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office because I believe our community benefits from new voices, fresh ideas, and leaders who are willing to listen. Over the years, I’ve spent a great deal of time talking with neighbors and hearing their concerns about transparency, affordability, and the direction of our town.
I want a seat at the table to help ensure residents’ voices are represented and their concerns are considered when decisions are made. My goal is to bring a practical, community-focused perspective and help move our town forward in a way that serves everyone, not just a select few.
What are the biggest challenges your community faces?
The biggest challenges facing our community are rising taxes, the town’s budget deficit, and ensuring residents receive quality services for the taxes they pay.
Many homeowners have seen their property taxes increase significantly over the past decade, making affordability a growing concern. At the same time, we must address the budget deficit through responsible financial management, transparency, and careful review of spending.
Residents also want services and amenities that reflect the investment they’re making in our community. We should continually look for ways to improve efficiency, explore shared-service opportunities where appropriate, and ensure taxpayer dollars deliver real value.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
The key issues I will focus on if elected are transparency, communication, and affordability.
Transparency builds trust and ensures residents have clear information about decisions and spending. Communication keeps residents informed and engaged in local decisions.
Affordability requires responsible financial management to keep taxes and costs under control while maintaining services.
Our community’s biggest challenges are rising taxes, the budget deficit, and service quality. We need to manage spending responsibly, improve efficiency, and ensure tax dollars are used wisely.
At the same time, we should seek cost-effective ways to maintain and improve services for residents.
Ruby Delarosa, 35 (Challenger)
Ruby Delarosa is a first-generation Dominican-American attorney who specializes in workers compensation defense cases.
A married mother of two, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants with her husband, and supporting her children’s participation in local activities.
Delarosa has served on the Merchantville Diversity Committee since 2021, and has chaired it since 2023.
To her, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are not only a personal priority, but also critical to elevating a variety of perspectives in the community.
What is your philosophy of government?
I believe, and Merchantville’s standing council has proven, that government should be transparent, responsive, fiscally responsible, and most of all, community-focused. Residents deserve leaders who consistently listen, communicate openly, and work together to solve problems.
I hope to continue the good work our current government officials have started. I believe in promoting affordability through responsible budgeting that protects taxpayers while maintaining the high-quality services our residents deserve.
I also believe thoughtful leadership means balancing smart growth and economic development with preserving the character and sense of community that make Merchantville special for both longtime residents and young families also.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as an elected official?
I bring experience through both my professional career and community involvement. As an attorney, I have developed strong research, communication, and advocacy skills that are important in public service.
Earlier in my career, I served as an intern in a state legislative office and as a judicial law clerk, experiences that strengthened my understanding of government, public policy, and the importance of fairness and accountability.
Locally, I have served on the Merchantville Diversity Committee and the Merchantville Board of Education. These experiences have allowed me to work directly with residents, collaborate with community leaders, and work on policies that strengthen our borough and support local children and families.
As both a parent and community member, I understand how important it is for residents to feel safe, supported, and connected to their local government. I have no doubt, and our campaigning has shown, that I and my running mates are exactly the types of individuals our neighbors can come to with their ideas and concerns.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for borough council because I care deeply about Merchantville and want to help continue moving our community forward.
Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with many residents about their ideas, concerns, and hopes for our town’s future. Those conversations have reinforced my commitment to public service and my desire to help build a stronger, more connected community for our current families and future generations.
As a mother raising young children here, I am especially invested in ensuring Merchantville remains a welcoming, safe, and vibrant place where families can continue to grow and thrive. I’m proud to live in one of the best towns in this state. I know I can serve with our residents’ best interests at heart.
What are the biggest challenges your community faces?
Like many communities, Merchantville faces challenges related to affordability, significant costs for families and seniors, and enhancing our vibrant business district. Our borough must continue balancing thoughtful redevelopment and economic growth while preserving the character and charm that residents value.
It is also important that residents continue to feel heard and connected to their local government. My running mates and I are focused on addressing these concerns while maintaining the services and community we currently have. As always, staying connected to our community must be a constant.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
- Promoting affordability through responsible budgeting while maintaining high-quality borough services.
- Enhancing the number businesses in town while preserving our long-standing neighborhood character.
- Strengthening engagement by promoting our standing community events in town and the ongoing transparency already in place while ensuring Merchantville remains a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.
Sean Fitzgerald, 42 (Incumbent)
Sean Fitzgerald is a Senior Treatment Technician and Safety, Compliance, and Training Officer for the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission (MPWC).
A married father of three, Fitzgerald is an avid reader who especially enjoys Stephen King, science fiction, non-fiction, comic books, and history.
What is your philosophy of government?
I had an incredible government teacher in high school who gave a great lecture on the Progressive Era.
The idea that government should be honest, efficient, and responsive were what he considered to be crucial for any government to maintain legitimacy and support.
I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. I couple that with FDR’s quote from his Oglethorpe University speech:
“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But above all, try something. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach.”
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as an elected official?
The last 20 years of experience with the MPWC has taught me quite a bit that I’ve brought to my work as an elected public servant.
You need to work constantly to earn the trust of those you serve. By being open and honest with them about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it they tend to afford you some level of grace and trust.
You can’t take that for granted and you need to work on it every hour of every day. You need to respond quickly to concerns and questions and you have to do it in a way that isn’t talking down or belittling.
People deserve respect and their concerns are genuine. They always need to be treated as such.
Why are you running for office?
I’ve lived in Merchantville my whole life. I went to school here, grew up here, and stayed here to have a family and raise my children.
I don’t harbor any kind of fantasy of Merchantville having been a utopia when I was growing up, but it was a great town that had a lot to offer families, and it still does.
I don’t want my kids to have my exact experience growing up; I want them to have an even better one, and I want them to not only know that their mom and dad helped to make it a great town to live in, but that they did too.
I’ve also had the opportunity to help businesses by cutting red tape (specifically helping with our sign ordinance), increasing visibility with our website and social media, working to expand our Department of Public Works (DPW), and bridging gaps between different community groups. I hope to continue that work.
What are the biggest challenges your community faces?
Taxes are always going to be the big one. Merchantville has fewer than 1,100 ratable properties and essentially no area to build out new ones.
Because of that, it’s incredibly difficult to explain and work through a budget where folks are paying more each year but there are no large industrial or commercial centers to help ease the burden on homeowners.
We carry the full weight. We work to maintain good relationships with neighboring communities to provide shared services, but even those only go so far. It’s a struggle that I think all smaller communities are faced with.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
Working to hold the line on tax increases, improved communication by upgrading our livestreamed council meetings, meeting folks where they are with information, and improving our public works department and services.
Amie Miller, 45 (Challenger)
Insurance professional Amie Miller is a wife, mother, and long-time cat rescuer who prioritizes time with family, especially her daughter’s interests and activities.
An avowed human rights advocate, Miller actively campaigns for several humanitarian causes, including violence prevention and animal rescue.
In her free time, Miller enjoys friends, cultivating plants, and antiquing.
She is likely to be found in a book store, coffee shop, or reading
What is your philosophy of government?
Government should represent and protect the interests of its constituents.
It should always be the people first. Representatives should be free-thinking, and independent of any political bosses or special interests.
What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as an elected official?
Professionally, I have over 20 years of financial and insurance experience, from being a supervisor to making fiscally responsible decisions for businesses, negotiating contracts, and communicating sensitive information.
Personally, I have been a volunteer and steward in every community of which I’ve been a part since childhood, from my early childhood days as a Campfire girl and candy striper at the hospital to my volunteer work in domestic violence and suicide prevention, animal rescue/adoption/TNR, and school and gun violence prevention.
I’ve also been responsible for creating communities for women in male-dominated spaces and organizing for the local Buy Nothing groups. I enjoy volunteering with my daughter’s school and extracurricular groups and activities.
Why are you running for office?
To represent my neighbors and bring a voice back to the community.
Our borough council meetings are painfully empty, I started going just out of curiosity because I was frustrated with the lack of communication or insight on outstanding issues, and now I see why neighbors don’t go.
It’s frustrating to experience the coldness and lack of welcome from your own council members and borough employees. No one should ever feel that way, especially when they want to get involved or help. I want to bring the kindness and curiosity back to Merchantville.
What are the biggest challenges your community faces?
Financially, Merchantville is not in good shape. Our current leadership has allowed fewer taxable assets in town, therefore shrinking our tax base and putting more responsibility and strain on homeowners. We have to start getting creative and implementing real solutions.
We will also need to make some tough decisions around shared services. The doing-more-with-less approach is not working, and taking away services from taxpayers isn’t the solution either.
We need to keep Merchantville attractive and affordable for working families when we don’t have the amenities other towns do. While our challenges are great, they are not impossible.
What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
1. Communication and transparency. So many of the neighbors I spoke with don’t have access or know where to get information about their own community. It’s important to meet them where they are and listen to their concerns.
So many neighbors had never met or even had a conversation with their council members in five-plus years. They should have access regularly to speak with us, so we’ll be hosting quarterly town halls at community spaces for our constituents to speak with us.
2. A full breakdown on the finances and budget for Merchantville in a way the average person can understand. This includes a review of all contracts and expenditures to see where the taxpayer money is going.
3. Safety and resolutions for outstanding quality-of-life issues. The lack of safe crossing walks on one of Merchantville’s greatest assets is concerning. The lack of a proper drop-off/pick-up process and flow for students at Merchantville Elementary School is an accident waiting to happen.
Our students and residents deserve better. We need to immediately look at and improve the overall safety and walkability for our residents throughout town, especially on the west and east ends that tend to get overlooked.
We still have folks on Glenwood Avenue dealing with flooding, with no explanation or communication from the borough on why, or what the next steps are. This shouldn’t still be happening, and we will be doing a full review and next steps for residents.
