January 11, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Midland Park Mayor looks forward to challenge of ‘raising the bar’ As he took over the mayor’s post last week, newlyelected Midland Park Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan said he looks forward to “maintaining our high standards and perhaps raising the bar a little higher because you like the challenge, and together nothing can’t be done.” O’Hagan expressed satisfaction with the status quo. “Let the record show that I am inheriting a well-run community as a result of our fine councils of the past as well as the guidance of Mayor Joe Monahan, none of which could have been achieved without the cooperation and attention to details by our department heads and their staff. Be it paid or volunteer department, our men and women have strived to produce the finest job performances any one could have wished for,” he said. The new mayor addressed the oft-talked about subject of mergers and sharing services with other communities. “While the concept sounds like a fine idea, reality has shown that Midland Park in particular is a cost-effective municipal operation. We have a small yet effective Department of Public Works. Our Police Department is small compared to other towns, and yet our community is safe and well protected. Our office staff performs multiple tasks on an hourly basis in a continuing effort to provide our residents full and friendly service. Our library staff and (continued on page 23) Attorney James DeLuca administers the oath of office to new Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan, left, as his wife Janet looks on. Midland Park Councilwoman Nancy Cronk Peet, a nineyear veteran, was re-elected to head the council for 2012 during the council’s reorganization meeting. Peet chairs the council’s personnel committee and serves as the liaison to the board of education. She was also selected to serve as the council representative to the Midland Park Planning Board, a position she has held for several years. She is also a member of the Midland Park Nancy Cronk Peet heads council again Board of Health. A former 18-year member and president of the board of education, Peet served for seven years as chairman of the borough’s zoning board of adjustment before her appointment to the borough council in January, 2003. A lifelong borough resident and a Registered Nurse, she is currently vice president-director of claims and risk management for William H Connolly & Co, LLC of Montclair.