Haddonfield will be seeing some new leadership soon.
Mayor Tish Colombi announced that she would not be running in May’s election during her State of the Borough Address at the 41st annual Mayor’s Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 19.
Colombi has been the longest serving commissioner with 28 years of service to the community and has been mayor for 12 years.
Her decision to retire was “very difficult,” she said, and she “enjoyed every minute” of her time in the local government.
“Except for that dog thing,” she added.
Her hope is to now be able to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
“I’m looking forward to that,” she said, becoming emotional.
The Haddonfield Lions Club at the First Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield hosted the breakfast, garbed in colonial-style hats to commemorate the 300 years since the founding of the borough.
Commissioners Ed Borden and Jeff Kasko also spoke during the breakfast, though neither made campaign announcements.
Kasko gave a financial update, explaining that borough spending was slightly down in 2012.
“We’re not spending more of your money, we’re spending less,” he said.
The property tax collection rate rose slightly last year, he said.
“Unpaid taxes end up being a burden on the rest of us,” he said.
Still, there are many financial challenges in the borough, and residents “should be prepared for difficult choices ahead,” Kasko said.
Borden, giving a report on public safety, spoke of the rash of residential burglaries the borough faced last year.
So far in January, as well as in December, that number has gone substantially down due to the efforts of the police department, he said.
Borden also spoke of the reaction of borough volunteers after Hurricane Sandy.
“Each of them left their home and their family at a time of substantial peril,” he said, and he “thanks them for what they do to make Haddonfield the extraordinary place that it is.”
Colombi, in addition to speaking of upcoming tricentennial events, gave a public works update.
In 2012, the reconstruction of Potter and Ellis Streets was completed, she said, as was the yearlong Tanner Street project. Tulips bloomed last year on the street.
Sidewalks were installed on Washington Avenue and Upland Way “without bloodshed,” and Brandywine Senior Living was approved by the planning and zoning boards to renovate the Haddonfield Home on Warwick Road.
The Haddonfield Public Library will see a renovation set to begin this year, Colombi said.
Colombi spoke of the business district and cited the upcoming “Love is in the Air” promotion for Valentine’s Day.
For those looking to buy significant others something special, she had a message.
“Please don’t go to the mall,” she said. Instead, stop into one of Haddonfield’s mom and pop stores.
To top off the breakfast, John Connell was recognized as the 2013 Citizen of the Year.
Connell said he was surprised and gave a “humble thank you” for the award.
To the people who won COTY before him, he said, “I am deeply grateful to all of you.”
Colombi gave a series of clues before the announcement.
The winner, she said, is an avid hiker, tried stand up comedy in a public setting but failed to reach the audience, supports recycling and has run a bed and breakfast in his home with guests from six continents.
Plus, he has collected the titles of president and vice president throughout town like some people collect coins.
Jack Tarditi, the 1979 winner, was MC of the breakfast.
Patrician Lennon, he said, the oldest surviving recipient of the award, was not able to attend.
A committee separate from the Lions Club makes their selection each year based on applications sent in.
Learn more about the Lions Club and check out a list of past COTY winners by visiting www.haddonfieldlions.org.
