Mayor Tish Colombi Takes a Victory Lap Before Retirement

Call it the Tish Colombi victory tour.

She calls it a "Farewell Tour." But, hopefully, you get the idea.

Letitia "Tish" Colombi, 68, a Haddonfield borough commissioner for the past 28 years and mayor for the last 12, is stepping down next month. But before she does, she's visiting every club and organization in town to thank them for years of service.

The Haddonfield Friends School returned the affection this week by naming Colombi its first Friend of Haddonfield award winner. She will be honored in a ceremony on April 27.

“The Friend of Haddonfield Award is meant to recognize someone who has made Haddonfield a better place,” said Sharon Dreese, of Haddonfield Friends. “I can think of no better inaugural recipient than Tish.”

Colombi said the Friends School and other organizations are the "goodness of the community."

"I was quite amazed when they met with me," she said. "I think it's a nice honor that lots of people could qualify for. They're being very kind to me."

Colombi will also be in the spotlight on Sunday at the "Tribute to Tish" dinner at the Tavistock Country Club. Hundreds are expected to turn out to the $45 event to say thanks and wish her well.

The mayor says she's looking forward to it.

"It'll be a very emotional event," she said. "Just a nice way to kind of wrap it all up."

Colombi is the only woman to be elected to the borough Board of Commissioners in the 300-year history of Haddonfield. She decided not to run for another four-year term in an election next month in which all three of the commissioners' seats are on the ballot.

Six candidates are running in the election on May 14 . They include incumbents Ed Borden and Jeff Kasko and challengers Lee Anne Albright , Ken Kouba , John Moscatelli and Neal Rochford .

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