Docimo Announces Retirement at the End of 2011

After more than two decades of public service, West Deptford Mayor Anna Docimo is calling it a career, with her retirement effective at the end of 2011.

“Having accomplished the primary goals that led me to run for office, it is with mixed emotions that I will retire as mayor at the end of this year,” Docimo said in a statement Thursday night. “It may not be a decision that party colleagues wanted to learn, but it is the best decision for me."

Docimo, who began her political career in 1988 with a run for township committee, said she’s stepping away from her office with a year left on her term to spend more time with her husband, Joe, and her children and grandchildren–including a granddaughter born Wednesday.

“It is a choice that comes with much consideration, putting the most important people in my life first,” Docimo said in her statement.

Her announcement came as a surprise to many in local politics.

Deputy mayor and independent candidate Len Daws said he sensed her retirement might be coming, but didn’t expect the announcement.

“I certainly respect her decision to step aside,” he said. “I wish her luck going forward.”

Township Democratic Party chair Gerald White lauded Docimo’s service over the past 22 years, having worked with her both in the political sphere and during his time as township administrator.

“She’s been a good elected official for a long time,” he said. “I think she’s been the personification of grace under pressure.”

White said it went beyond politics, though, and gave her credit for working behind the scenes to help people in West Deptford beyond her capacity as mayor.

“If you had any problems, Anna was the first one at the door with chicken soup or cookies,” he said.

On the other side of the political aisle, West Deptford Republican chair Joann Priga was taken aback at the news.

“I’m shocked, but I’m not surprised,” she said. “I just knew it was coming.”

Priga said she’d heard rumblings of the possibility of Docimo retiring, but didn’t think it would happen until after the November general election, at the earliest.

As for what Docimo’s announcement means for the local political landscape, Daws called it a major shift in the local political landscape.

“It certainly changes the equation on the committee,” he said.

Because Docimo will step down after the November election, a replacement to serve out the year left on her term will be selected in a process similar to what’s going on in Washington Township currently–a new candidate would be selected by the local Democratic executive committee, and that person would be sworn in at the meeting after Docimo's official retirement.