Haddonfield women honored during annual program

For nearly two hours, woman after woman stood to be honored by the borough for their contributions, accomplishments and goodness to the community.

The annual Women’s History Month program saw an overflow crowd in the Borough Hall auditorium on Tuesday, March 12.

As the last ceremony with Mayor Tish Colombi as the leader, she decided to take some liberties.

In the past, women had to live in Haddonfield to be honored, but there were too many borough employees who needed to be recognized as well, she said.

Township Clerk Deanna Bennett and Terri Fitzgerald of the Haddonfield Police Department were among the 15 employees honored.

Bennett, born in Germany, began working in town in 2001 in the public works department before becoming clerk in 2004.

Fitzgerald is on her 38th year of service with the police.

“You’ve got me beat,” Colombi said, laughing.

“Since I have worked at the Borough Hall for 28 years, I felt I could not let this night go by without recognizing the women who do the business here,” she said.

Through the night, 50 women stood up, alone and in groups, to have their stories told.

Eileen Campbell is board certified as a nurse practitioner and a Boston College graduate.

“Today is her birthday,” Colombi said.

Campbell has plans to travel to Haiti this fall to provide services to those in need. She also spends time volunteering to mentor undergraduate and high school students in the field of nursing.

Julie Beddingfield, co-chair of Sustainable Haddonfield and acting chair of the Haddonfield Environmental Commission has practiced environmental law and promotes sustainability around town. She works with high school students and is currently engaged in more than 30 different programs on the topic.

Colleen Binder, a Haddonfield resident born and raised, earned 10 varsity letters during her time in high school.

She was the head of customer service at Acme for 20 years.

Now, she is finishing up chemotherapy for colon cancer and “looks forward to a full recovery,” Colombi said.

Colleen Spaeth served as a chaplain following Sept. 11, 2011, ministering and conducting prayer services.

She has served as a spiritual director.

Spaeth suffers from transverse myelitis and is working to bring awareness. She is a contributing author to a book on the disorder.

Pam Garstkiewicz, the mother of Jason Garstkiewicz, was honored, with Jason and Kyle beside her.

Last year, Jason was diagnosed with cancer and the community rallied together to support the family, making a change in their shoelace color.

“Everybody, including me, wore those gold shoelaces,” Colombi said.

Pam feels she did what every mother would do in the situation. She faced the issue, looked for a solution, stayed positive and looked forward.

Now, Jason, 14, is free of the cancer.

Colombi gave Jason a hug and shook Kyle’s hand.

“You’ve been a good brother, Kyle,” she said.

At the end of the ceremony, just as residents started to pack up to leave, a 51st woman was honored.

[caption id=”attachment_37736" align=”alignleft” width=”300" caption=”Mayor Tish Colombi receives a standing ovation for her service to the community.”]

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Commissioner Ed Borden said it was necessary to recognize Colombi, and the audience agreed by way of a standing ovation.

“I know how proud she is of the women of our town,” Borden said. “This is really a night that she cherishes.”

Over the years, Colombi has read the stories of just about 600 women in the community.

For whoever might replace Colombi on the commission, Jeff Kasko, who is running for re-election, had some choice words.

“They have extremely huge shoes to fill,” he said. “I have a size 13 shoe…but I don’t have any red shoes.”

“You are an extraordinary woman joining the extraordinary women here tonight.”

Other business

A short commission meeting followed the women’s program.

A sewer improvement bond ordinance amounting to $2,571,000 for utility replacements was adopted on second reading.

A bond to allow for several capital improvements, including a 15-year bond for the borough’s $397,000 share of the installation of turf at Anniversary Field and Stadium Field was also adopted.

Resident John Moscatelli questioned why the turf project was set for that long when the warranty for the fields is eight years.

According to Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough, even though the item is in the bond, it does not mean it will be permanent financing.

“We have the ability to pay for it quicker,” she said, through various funds, such as grants and trust funds.

On the issue of crosswalks, Kathy Freeman voiced concern regarding the Bancroft site.

“It still hasn’t been done,” she said. “It is a real safety concern. I was shocked that it hasn’t been done in so many years.”

According to Borden, the Bancroft crosswalk is not authorized by the borough. Since Bancroft installed the crosswalk, they are to maintain it themselves. If the borough paints it, there is the assumption of liability to take into account.

For the crosswalk to be painted, an ordinance would need to be drafted and authorized by the commission, Borden said.

The next scheduled commission meeting is slated for Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.