A crowd of more than 50 community members, friends, family and area dignitaries came together on Wednesday, Aug. 8 to honor longtime councilman N. John Amato for his 29 years of service to Cherry Hill.
The township council’s chambers were officially renamed the “N. John Amato Council Chambers” following a unanimous approval by the council.
He has served eight consecutive terms since 1983, making him the longest serving and eldest council member in the history of Cherry Hill.
Amato recently celebrated his 80th birthday.
According to Council President David Fleisher, Amato has held a council seat for more than 50 percent of the time that Cherry Hill has been a township.
By Fleisher’s calculations, Amato has attended more than 600 council meetings, thousands of community events and 7,540 breakfasts at Ponzio’s Diner during his tenure, where he enjoys an untoasted bagel with butter on the side, Fleisher laughed.
“He’s charitable,” explained Fleisher, and he is always the first to share opportunities and show people the ropes.
He listens intently to everyone.
“Do not let the hearing aid fool you one bit,” he said, smiling.
State Sen. Jim Beach and former Cherry Hill Councilman and current Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash each gave Amato a proclamation.
“I actually came here to complain about my taxes,” Nash joked before telling the room about the man he considers a mentor and hero.
During the Gulf War, Lt. Jeffrey Zaun was shot down over Iraq, held as a war prisoner and subsequently released home to a hero’s welcome, he explained.
During the great moment in Cherry Hill history while Zaun was honored, Nash said, Amato sat with his young grandson on his lap.
While the song “You Are My Hero” played, Nash still vividly remembers Amato’s grandson looking up at his grandfather with an expression that conveyed that he felt a hero was holding him.
Prior to approving the name change of the council chambers, each current council member expressed how they felt about Amato and his impact to the town.
“I’ll never forget you for the rest of my life,” said Councilman Jim Bannar, stating that there was no one more deserving for the honor.
When asked for his vote in the matter, Amato responded, “I’ll say yes” to an uproarious laugh from the crowd.
He became the first speaker at the podium in the renamed chambers.
“Twenty nine years, 80 years old,” he said. “I’ll be truthful. I don’t feel either one.”
His work, he said, has been a labor of love to always do what is right for the township.
“You’re here for the people of Cherry Hill,” he said, even in his recurring role as Santa Claus at the mall and many charitable organizations.
Nothing would have been possible without the support of his wife, Marian, and family, he said.
“I’m totally shocked and surprised at this,” he later added. “To see this type of honor, it’s here forever.”
As the ceremony came to a close, Mayor Chuck Cahn read from the birthday cake that was presented, wishing a happy birthday to the longest standing council member.
“I think it’s an honor well-deserved,” Cahn had earlier expressed.
Fiscal budget introduced
The budget for fiscal year 2013 was introduced for council’s review at the meeting. A public hearing on Monday, Sept. 10 will be held to discuss the budget and it will be made available in short order.
According to Cahn, after months of review, the budget features a zero percent municipal tax increase and was compiled within the timeframe of the state’s statute.
The budget focuses on innovation, high performance and economic vitality, he said.
