Township native earns appointment
By: Stephanie Brown
MONROE Those who attend Township Council meetings will see a new face sitting before them.
Leslie Koppel-Egierd, of Andrew Drive, attended her first meeting as councilwoman Monday night after she was sworn in to replace John Riggs earlier that day.
Mr. Riggs resigned on Sept. 12 to take the paid township position of environmental protection manager. The Municipal Democratic Committee recommended three candidates to fill Mr. Riggs’ unexpired term, which expires in November 2007.
The committee nominated Ms. Egierd, Township Affordable Housing Officer Helga Stoessler, of Spotswood-Englishtown Road, and Bill Allen, of Newport Way.
Mayor Richard Pucci, who is the committee chairman, said Ms. Egierd was the best choice for the council.
"First and foremost, you want to make sure that it’s someone who can articulate a position, someone who’s educated, someone with a knowledge and that knowledge can grow," said Mayor Pucci. "Certainly, Leslie graduated from a fine university with honors and watching her discuss educational issues fits that criteria.
"And the other thing I look for, and we all look for, is someone who if you believe in a philosophy and you believe in your community and you want it to move forward someone who is going to have the energy and not just to extend their position in town with having a title, but who’s willing to work," he continued.
At the ceremony, Ms. Egierd was accompanied by her husband of 14 years, Michael, and two of her three young children.
Ms. Egierd was born and raised in Monroe. She graduated from Monroe Township High School, received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hunter College of the City College of New York, and has taken business administration courses at Rider University in Lawrence. She is employed by The Closet Doctor in Medford.
She is the president of the Barclay Brook-Brookside PTA and is a founding member of Monroe Township Kids 1st.
She has served on the Board of Education Ad Hoc and Strategic Planning committees and Drug Task Force.
Ms. Egierd is also a member of the Monroe Township League of Women Voters.
"So what does this have to do with my new position as a council member?" she asked during her inauguration speech. "It’s simple, my thoughts, ideas, family roots, friends and future are in Monroe Township, for which I feel very privileged to live and now serve."
Council President Gerald Tamburro said he was impressed with Ms. Egierd’s sincerity and involvement in Monroe.
"It’s very difficult in today’s day and age to live and reside in the town you were born in," said Mr. Tamburro.
He also said Ms. Egierd, being from Ward 3, will bring diversity to the council.
"It’s good to have someone representing the other communities," he said. "In her, you’ve got the third ward, her involvement with many volunteer activities, and a lifelong Monroe resident."
Ms. Egierd said her passion and number one concern as councilwoman is education, and in particular, ensuring that the school district maintain its reputation of providing quality education.
"More and more people are moving to Monroe buying expensive houses to get the educational services we provide here," she said. "I want to make sure we keep the level of academia up with the demographics and their expectations."
Secondly, Ms. Egierd said she plans to protect and acquire open space in the township.
"Growing up in rural Monroe provided a wonderful childhood for my sister, Diana, and I," she said. "Green grasses, horses, open land were all wonderful things that we treasured and I still do."
The Township Council also selected Councilman Henry Miller to serve on the Board as its liaison, a position Mr. Riggs served in.
Council President Tamburro spoke for Ms. Egierd, saying that obviously the planning board decision was wrong because the court ruled in favor of Ms. Egierd’s father-in-law.
"I’ve been here for so long. It was a little less neighborly than I was expecting," Ms. Egierd said afterward. "People who know me know I care deeply for this town."

