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Mayor Colleen Mahr Elected President of
New Jersey Conference of Mayors
Click Here to Download Mayor Mahr's opening remarks at the 45th Annual
NJCM Conference Grand Opening Luncheon
At its annual spring meeting in Atlantic City,
the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM) elected Fanwood Borough
Mayor Colleen Mahr President for 2008-2009.
Mayor Mahr has been an active member of the NJCM
since she first took office as Mayor in 2003. She has served as one
of Union County’s representatives to the Board of Directors of the
NCJM and served as Treasurer and Vice President.
Mayor Mahr was the youngest Mayor of the Borough
ever elected and only the fourth Woman to hold that office in over 100
years. Under her leadership, Fanwood is now experiencing an economic
rebirth with various types of new construction and a host of new
housing opportunities. In 2007, Mayor Mahr was selected as one of
Union County’s Women of Distinction and was recently re-elected Mayor
in an uncontested election.
In her remarks at the 45th Annual
Convention of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, Mayor Mahr observed
that the Governor’s proposed State spending plan calls for significant
reductions in municipal aid and reiterated that Mayors will remain
vocal in their collective opposition to these reductions. She also
cautioned the Governor that any reductions need to be applied in a
fair and equitable manner and tied to efficiencies as an incentive.
Any reductions should not be based upon an arbitrary
population number. Mayor Mahr clearly stated that under her
leadership, the Mayors will fight for balance, equitability and demand
fairness on those issues that directly effect the Mayors of New
Jersey. The New Jersey Conference of Mayors will raise the voices of
Mayors to help address issues and present solutions designed to
improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.
Mayor Mahr outlined several goals for the
Conference in the upcoming year. They include “raising the bar” for
all Mayors on what it means to be a member of the Organizaion. She
pledged to engage the membership in ways that have never happened
before. One effort to demonstrate this value will be the
establishment of a Mayors Governing Institute to create a forum for
ideas and the open discussion of issues and solutions. The Institute
will serve as a central resource for information and referrals on
issues that are faced by Mayors every day. It will serve as a central
repository with the New Jersey Conference of Mayors that will assist
Mayors to govern their communities more effectively and efficiently.
Mayor Mahr lives in Fanwood with her husband
George, sons Liam age 4, Daniel age 3 and Colin age 1.
The New Jersey Conference of Mayors, founded in
1963 is the largest statewide organization in the Nation to
exclusively represent the interests of the Mayors of New Jersey.
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