Manchester Council Candidates Judith Noonan and Sandra Gravatt-Drake Highlight Experience
Manchester Township council candidates Judith Noonan and Sandra Gravatt-Drake are campaigning on preserving the township’s character and opposing overdevelopment, including data centers. The Township Council unanimously approved legislation repealing a redevelopment provision that had allowed data centers after residents raised objections.
Manchester Township Council candidates Judith Noonan and incumbent Sandra Gravatt-Drake are campaigning with Mayor Joseph Hankins on land preservation, limits on development and continued restrictions on data centers. Noonan’s background includes work with the Ocean County Senior Services Advisory Board, while Gravatt-Drake is a former Manchester police officer and current councilwoman.
Data centers became a prominent local issue after residents objected at Township Council meetings in August. In response, the council introduced and unanimously approved legislation on Sept. 14 repealing a redevelopment-plan provision that permitted data centers. The candidates have endorsed that approach but have not identified additional ordinances they would pursue if elected.