As mentioned multiple times on multiple occasions throughout calendar year 2019, Cherry Hill Township Mayor Chuck Cahn went his entire term – eight years – without once raising municipal taxes.
But that hardly seems to be his greatest accomplishment after decades of residency, business ownership and public service.
At township council’s Dec. 9 meeting, Cahn – flanked by his family, members of the township police and fire departments, fellow council members, his staff, those in local and regional governance as well as many residents – was given an emotional sendoff.
Cahn’s term officially ends Dec. 31 and Susan Shin Angulo will be sworn in early in January.
“Chuck’s story is one of transformation: a community, a neighborhood, a sense of place. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said that ‘action is character,’ and you certainly showed us your character through your action,” said former Cherry Hill mayor Susan Bass Levin of her long-time friend and colleague.
“There never was a problem too big or too small to dig into; you always listened to others; you understood and respected what people wanted, and you gave this community a voice and made it better.”
Louis Cappelli Jr., county freeholder director, lauded Cahn as “one of the most outstanding mayors Camden County has ever had.” Pamela Lampitt, Assemblywoman for the 6th District, spoke for Senator Jim Beach and fellow Assemblyman Louis Greenwald in marveling at Cahn’s enticements for business growth for the 11th largest municipality in the state. She then presented Cahn with a joint resolution to that fact.
Cherry Hill Police Chief William “Bud” Monaghan was more expansive in his remarks, first recognizing the issues inherent in service to community.
“I want to extend my thanks to Mayor Cahn’s wife and the family, for allowing us to have your husband for the last eight years. We all realize the sacrifices you have to make, with the stresses he has, and the decisions he’s had to make, the time away from family, the difficulties associated with that. We hope the next however many years you have are healthy and happy,” he said.
“One of (his) greatest abilities was to be a leader from the front – not when things were popular but when things were difficult. He was always the first one to step up and take the hit when something wasn’t going great but he was the first one to step back when things were good and let his department heads glow in his decisions.”
Monaghan later presented a plaque to Cahn, the centerpiece of which was an American flag raised for the township’s 2019 Memorial Day celebration.
All six members of council – Carole Roskoph, Brian Bauerle, Sangeeta Doshi, Michele Golkow, Carolyn Jacobs and president David Fleisher – then jointly read a proclamation honoring Cahn for his leadership, wisdom, hard work and character both personally and professionally.
The capper on the evening arrived when Cahn’s family looked on as he himself dropped the curtain on a recently-taken portrait by renowned American photographer Carol Highsmith. The picture will hang on the wall of council chambers next to Levin as well as several other former Cherry Hill leaders.
Cahn then made the most of the chance to speak following the portrait unveiling, extensively recapping his triumphs as township leader.
“I feel so honored and so humbled. It really is bittersweet. I think about eight years ago, when the citizens of Cherry Hill gave me the great honor and opportunity to serve as your mayor. I wish to thank all of the residents and all of you here tonight. Together we have worked hard to make this town a finer, more just, beautiful and comfortable place to live, work and play,” he began.
Among the highlights of his time in office, Cahn spoke about making it easier for businesses to open and develop, along with the attendant $400 million growth in rateables in that period; touted the preservation of open spaces like Barclay Farmstead and Croft Farm, and the emergence of Cherry Hill as health care hub, with all major medical systems represented and within close reach; introduction on public safety initiatives including increasing investments in training and technology for the police force; and the township’s 10-year Master Plan which was recognized by the New Jersey American Association of Planners with its highest achievement award.
“From Day One, my philosophy has always been, ‘it’s not the least you can do, it’s the most you can do.’ And in the entirety of my work as mayor, it has been personal. The exhilaration to know Cherry Hill is a better place today than it was eight years ago. We should all be proud that these achievements are not mine alone, they are ours,” he concluded.
In other news:
- Cahn and members of council participated in the annual Holiday Lighting ceremony at Carman Tilelli Community Center earlier in the evening. The more than hour-long concert featured the Camden County Bell Choir, Cherry Hill East String Quartet and Brass Quintet, the Cherry Hill West Chamber Singers and presentations on Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day.
- During the business portion of the meeting, council passed, upon second reading, an ordinance fixing the compensation of all officers and employees of the township.
