HANOVER — Thomas Ace Gallagher has officially declared his candidacy for re-election to the Hanover Township governing body. His long history of dedication to excellence and creative problem solving has led to pragmatic and just solutions to many of the issues confronting Hanover Township.  Mayor Gallagher’s decision to join the race is driven by his belief that under his leadership, Hanover Township will continue to make ambitious strides toward being an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Thomas Ace Gallagher states, “Today, more than ever, we need strong, honest, results-based leadership.” Throughout his many years on the committee, Thomas Ace Gallagher has displayed integrity, selfless service, loyalty, creativity, fiscal responsibility, and personal courage. Focused strictly on the issues, Mayor Gallagher has never been beholden to special interest groups or political agendas and continues to foster a transparent, collaborative, and inclusive environment.

Thomas Ace Gallagher believes he is well-suited to enhance the quality of life of Hanover Township residents. His platform will focus on:

• Working to help grow the business community to create new opportunities for increasing ratables, which will lead to lower property taxes
• Streamlining building permit and planning processes for small businesses and especially for homeowners
• Implementing fiscal policies that will enhance financial stability
• Updating zoning laws. Mayor Gallagher has already created an aggressive strategy to repurpose outdated zoning. This is a huge encouragement for businesses to come to Hanover Township (a perfect example is the former Morris County Mall).

Energized by challenges and driven by an authentic desire to serve others, Gallagher has many achievements that set him apart from other candidates, some of which are:

• Gallagher was nominated and elected to the executive board of the Morris County League of Municipalities and was also selected to serve on a special subcommittee, one of six to challenge Trenton’s unfair high-density housing mandates.
• Mayor Gallagher worked to create the Whippany/Passaic Flood Remediation Task Force. With Hanover Township as the chief agency, seven municipalities work together and share services. This coalition turned New Jersey into the leader in flood remediation. In less than three years, it is already making an incredible difference.
• Gallagher serves as a trustee for the 200 Club of Morris County because he values thanking all first responders who put their lives on the line every day for the public.
• Gallagher has and continues to work with many agencies, municipalities, school systems, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, faith-based groups and the Mental Health Association to support and create programs in the community sharing his vision to ensure that children and their families have access to prevention, education, assessment and intervention. Offering seminars on suicide prevention and addiction services, he has stepped up to initiate the growing need for mental health services in school districts.

“Thank you for your support. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to serve and work together towards a more prosperous future.  I look forward to contributing my skills and passion to our shared successes and helping to make Hanover Township the best community where we all live and work,” states Gallagher.

*To contact Mayor Thomas Ace Gallagher, please follow him on Facebook at Thomas Ace Gallagher and/or Thomas Ace Gallagher for Hanover Township Committee. [email protected] (973) 441-0114.

HANOVER — On Wednesday, May 21, at approximately 5:26 p.m., Hanover Township Police responded to a motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles in the parking lot of a gas station on Ridgedale Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers immediately began assisting the occupants of the vehicles. While rendering aid, officers observed one of the drivers acting suspiciously outside his vehicle. As officers engaged him, the individual became erratic and stated he wanted to die. He was found to be in possession of a pair of scissors, refused to comply with officers’ commands, and repeatedly asked officers to shoot him.

Officers quickly moved bystanders to safety and attempted to de-escalate the situation. Pepper spray was deployed, and the individual was safely subdued without further incident. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

A child in one of the vehicles sustained a moderate injury and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Another child from the same vehicle was transported as a precaution. Other occupants were evaluated at the scene but declined medical attention.

Both vehicles in the crash sustained heavy damage, though the gas pumps were unaffected. The incident prompted a significant response from police, fire, and EMS personnel. The gas station parking lot was temporarily closed but has since reopened.

The incident remains under investigation.