Note: There are a few ways to use this page. It mixes objective source material with light analysis and first-hand reporting so voters can choose their depth.
Where we add context or opinion, it’s to help busy voters make sense of gaps in local information. Not everyone has time to be a volunteer politico.
Marissa Ranello first engaged with InformTheVoteNJ last year while running for Millville City Commission. At that time she was cooperative—answering our questionnaire and holding several phone conversations to clarify details.
For the current campaign season, Ranello has again responded to our questionnaire, built a Facebook campaign page, and completed a 10-minute interview on J.T. Burks’ The Race to Millville City Commission series. These are all positive signals of continued transparency and accessibility.
That said, there remain opportunities to further raise the status quo of county-wide campaign culture. Steps such as creating a self-made comprehensive campaign website, hosting well-advertised public appearances, and participating in more lengthy and in-depth interviews would give voters a fuller picture of her platform before casting their ballots.
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This election is on November 4th, 2025
Marissa Ranello first engaged with InformTheVoteNJ last year while running for Millville City Commission. At that time she was cooperative—answering our questionnaire and holding several phone conversations to clarify details. For the current campaign season, she has again responded to our questionnaire, built a Facebook campaign page, and completed a 10-minute interview on J.T. Burks’ The Race to Millville City Commission series. These are all positive signals of continued transparency and accessibility.
That said, there remain opportunities to further raise the status quo of county-wide campaign culture. Steps such as creating a self-made comprehensive campaign website, hosting well-advertised public appearances, and participating in more lengthy and in-depth interviews would give voters a fuller picture of her platform before casting their ballots.
Overall, she’s on a positive trajectory—her existing efforts already place her a bit above the local status quo, and a few targeted moves could quickly elevate her into the top tier of candidate openness.
Background & ties to Millville: Marissa Ranello has visited the area since childhood (1980s) and has lived in Millville ~10 years. She has a son in the public school system.
Perspective & priorities: Originally from Staten Island, NY, Ranello says an “outsider” lens helps her focus on present realities rather than mourning the past. She wants in-progress projects to keep moving and emphasizes that “there’s a lot of work to do.”
Commission experience & public safety: Served ~8 months on the City Commission (appointed, then special election). Highlights work on lighting and safety—arguing crime festers where conditions allow it (dark, dirty, neglected spaces). Public and officer safety are high priorities.
19 candidates & functional government: The crowded field encourages her—it shows people care. She hopes voters choose five who can collaborate and stick with their seats for a full term. Advocates pragmatic 6-month/1-year/4-year departmental plans and stability after years of turnover.
Clean, safe, educated—and market the city: Find common ground: clean streets, safe neighborhoods, strong schools, reasonable taxes. To attract business, market Millville better and clean it up. She cites a “Millville Means Business” video with very low views as a missed promotion opportunity.
Closing message: “Stay.” Don’t give up on Millville—plant “seeds of commonality,” pitch in, and grow with the community.
This table highlights key sections of the conversation with main takeaways.
Timestamp | Topic | Key Takeaways |
---|---|---|
0:00 | Intro & roots | Visiting since the 1980s; ~10 years living in Millville; child in public schools. |
0:45 | Upbringing & lens | Staten Island–born; not “mourning the past”—focus on present and future; keep active projects moving. |
1:56 | Commission service | Appointed for ~8 months; pushed lighting and public-safety improvements; crime thrives where conditions allow it. |
3:06 | 19 candidates | Encouraged by the interest; wants 5 collaborators with 6-mo/1-yr/4-yr plans. |
4:31 | Functional government | Calls for stability after years of turnover; voters should pick people who will stay and work together. |
6:23 | Common goals | Cleanliness, safety, great education, reasonable taxes—shared “ground of commonality.” |
7:59 | Attracting business | Clean up and market the city; leverage social media to put Millville on the map. |
8:58 | Marketing gap | “Millville Means Business” promo has very low views—an example of under-marketing. |
9:48 | Closing inspiration | “Stay. Don’t leave.” Plant seeds, find common ground, and help the city grow together. |
Make Millville less attractive to crime by improving lighting, securing vacant properties, and strengthening community ties.
Launch aggressive cleanup campaigns focused on litter removal, illegal dumping, and holding owners of neglected properties accountable.
Make Millville a place people want to invest in by focusing on safety, cleanliness, and quality of life improvements.
Coordinate efforts to expand access to treatment and support for individuals facing addiction and mental health challenges, in line with recent federal initiatives.