This is my last official communication as your mayor, since my tenure in that role ends on Jan. 1. It has been an honor and privilege serving you these last 17 years. Personally, I have learned many lessons, none greater than the value and fulfillment of community service.
Harrison Township was one of the fastest-growing towns in New Jersey when I took office in 2008. We faced those challenges and opportunities with a smart growth philosophy, while seeking to maintain our agricultural roots and historic charm. Expanding and improving our public park system to accommodate our youth sports recreational programs was a focus, along with needed upgrades to our police and public works facilities.
Balancing the inevitable growth of our community and the required municipal service upgrades that accompany that evolution with preserving our historic identity was the ongoing mission. We pursued those objectives with a goal of always maintaining our status as the best place to live and raise a family in the region. And I am proud to have played a role on the team of elected officials, public employees and resident volunteers I have been blessed to work with these many years.
As I step away from that public role, I am excited to welcome and support our incoming
committeemen, Adam Wingate and TJ Coakley, who will be sworn into office on Jan. 2 at the annual reorganization meeting Their dedicated spirit will serve Harrison Township well as they join our current committee members, Lawrence Moore, Jeff Jacques, and Kevin French. I encourage you to join me in supporting their leadership efforts in this next chapter of our story.
There are no words that can adequately express the gratitude I feel for allowing me to serve as your mayor. Suffice it to say that it has been a heck of a ride, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to see you around town.
Happy New Year.
