It is with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection that I conclude my term as Cherry Hill’s mayor. As the first person of color in this consequential position, it has been both a privilege and an honor serving the Township’s increasingly diverse 75,000 residents.
These past four years have been a journey marked by celebrations, challenges, perseverance, and hope. At the very beginning of my term, our community faced an unprecedented crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We were forced to adapt swiftly, changing the way we live, work, go to school, and interact. Together, we implemented safety precautions, supported one another, and focused on providing health and wellness resources during this difficult period. We consoled each other through heartbreak as friends, family, and neighbors experienced loss due to COVID-19. Our grief was compounded by the pandemic’s widespread impact on mental health, particularly with our seniors and children. I worked with our Congressman Donald Norcross to secure $11.73 million in federal pandemic relief to support health and safety initiatives in our township, coordinated with the state and our dedicated legislators, Sen. Jim Beach, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt, as well as Camden County leadership, to secure critical assistance and resources. Cherry Hill has emerged from the pandemic stronger and better prepared for future challenges.
I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together regardless of faith, race, background, orientation, or political affiliation. We reinvigorated the dormant Human Relations Advisory Committee. We confronted social injustices and stood together against acts of violence and discrimination. We mourned and denounced the murder of George Floyd and other individuals of color, condemned savage attacks on Asian American and Pacific Islanders, and expressed unwavering support for Israel following the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas. These moments underlined the strength of our community, reminding us that, despite our diverse backgrounds, we are bound together by shared values and a spirit of resilience.
During my term, Cherry Hill continued to thrive, with businesses investing and expanding, coinciding with a large influx of new residents and families, making the Township the most populous municipality in Camden County. Our investments in infrastructure, safety, and recreation have kept pace with our growth. We preserved open space, refurbished our historical treasures – Croft Farm, the Covered Bridge, and Barclay Farm, fought against overdevelopment, enhanced the Township’s community center, and promoted smart growth to maintain the unique charm of our neighborhoods. Despite the investments made in the community, I take great pride in our fiscal responsibility resulting in no municipal tax increases during my term as mayor. This is particularly important as many in our community continue to face financial insecurity.
With public safety among my core priorities, we welcomed new leadership for our Police Department and Fire Department. I have tremendous confidence that Cherry Hill is in excellent hands with Police Chief Rob Kempf and Fire Department Chief Wade Houlihan. I also want to recognize and thank all of our dedicated Township employees for their tireless work throughout the community.
My most cherished experiences have been spending time engaging with our community. From the Cherry Bowl and other youth sports competitions to parades and rallies, from Reading Across America at our schools to Juneteenth celebrations, from ribbon cuttings to signature events and festivals, I have had the genuine privilege of meeting with seniors, students, veterans, civic associations, ethnic and religious organizations, and families. These interactions, filled with greetings, hugs, and smiles, are the heart of my mayoral journey.
Cherry Hill is remarkable because of you, our residents, and it is with a heavy heart that my term as mayor serving this beautiful community is coming to an end. As I pass the torch to Mayor-Elect David Fleisher, I know that Cherry Hill’s success will continue under his leadership.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I am genuinely grateful for your encouragement and inspiration, and I will carry the memories of our time together with me always. I look forward to continuing our conversations and seeing you around town.
Happy Holidays, and God bless Cherry Hill Township.
Mayor Susan Shin Angulo
