On Wednesday, November 15, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr was presented with the 2017 Outstanding Woman in Municipal Government Award at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. Mayor Mahr was one of five women honored at the Women in Municipal Government Committee’s awards dinner for her continuous leadership and dedication towards promoting positive growth in Fanwood.
“I am honored to have been recognized by the Women in Municipal Government committee with this incredible award,” stated Mayor Colleen Mahr. “I believe that in local government, our residents want to receive the best services at the most efficient cost possible and I am thankful for the opportunity to provide that to the residents of Fanwood with the support of the Council and administration over the past several years.”
Mayor Mahr has applied her development experience to downtown Fanwood during her time as Mayor and has worked directly with local property owners to ensure that any redevelopment plan will provide the most beneficial outcome for Fanwood residents. Fanwood has been a leader in successful redevelopment over the past decade, receiving several awards including the 2014 Smart Growth Award for Redevelopment and was featured in the New Jersey Handbook on Redevelopment.
The Women in Municipal Government Committee honored five women at their annual Awards Ceremony in Atlantic City, including Mayor Mahr, Middletown Deputy Mayor Stephanie Murray, Rutherford Councilwoman Stephanie McGowan, Haddonfield Administrator Sharon McCullough and Harrison Town Chief Financial Officer Gabriela Simoes Dos Santos.
The Committee was created in 2007 as an outgrowth of the New Jersey Association of Elected Women Officials. The Committee is continuing the strong tradition of education and professional development for women officials. The Committee’s primary goal is to encourage the active involvement and full participation of women in municipal government through such venues as professional development, networking seminars and other programs.
(above l-r) Councilman-elect Anthony Carter, Councilman Jack Molenaar, Councilman Russ Huegel, Mayor Colleen Mahr, Councilwoman Erin McElroy Barker, Department of Public Works Director Clint Dicksen, Councilwoman Katherine Mitchell
