Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt's Proud Legacy

Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt called me earlier today to tell me that he would not seek re-election this year.
As he enters his last year of public service, the mayor is also thanking everyone who has supported him over the years
By now, the news about Bernie's decision is on the Courier-Post web site and other web sites and probably on the air as well.
But here's a story you may not know: Even though many conjectured that this might be Bernie's last term, the mayor was fully prepared to run again. His love for the town is such that he would probably like nothing more than to continue to serve.
 Service defines this man. And be sure of this: Bernie Platt's service to Cherry Hill was -- and remains -- a labor of love.
His interest in the town, its people and its well-being transcends party politics, personalities, power plays and petty grievances. There was not a time when residences went to him with a concern that he was not available or that he did not try to help.
Bernie is very real. He's a sentimental man -- a man who's comfortable with his own feelings and sentiments.
And his love for Cherry Hill is exceeded only by his love for his family.
So, he has chosen not to make another run so that he can spend more time with his family.
That's fine. Because, Bernie Platt can be very proud of what he's accomplished.
Look at Bernie's record of service: He served for many years on the town council and was mayor from 1979 to 1980, and deputy mayor from 1976 to 1979. He was a Camden County freeholder from 1996 to 1998 and since 2004, he's served as Mayor.
If you want to know what this man's legacy is, just look at the renaissance on the west side of town -- Cherry Hill's gateway. The Garden State Park and Cherry Hill Mall areas have witnessed more than a quarter of a billion dollars in private investment during Bernie's time in office -- and much of this occurred during a so-called economic "downturn." It's astounding.
With Bernie's guidance, Cherry Hill has reinvented itself.
And this is just one aspect of his legacy of service.
Bernie can take pride in the fact that his beloved hometown remains the economic center of South Jersey -- a great place to live, work and enjoy life.
I've known Bernie since he first served in public office. He never deceived me. He kept his word. He cared deeply, worked tirelessly and accomplished greatly while retaining his own sense of dignity and modesty.  That's rare -- and refreshing!
What more could anyone ask of a public figure?
Thanks, Bernie!

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Cherry Hill Aims To Slash Trash Costs

Cherry Hill has joined forces with Gloucester Township, Voorhees and Merchantville with the hope of slashing the cost of trash disposal, Mayor Bernie Platt announced Thursday.

It’s the Township’s latest effort to streamline municipal services while saving significant taxpayer money.

The four towns – in partnership with the Cherry Hill Fire Department and Board of Education – are going out to the marketplace in the coming weeks in search of a new contract for trash-disposal services.

“Together, our towns account for nearly one-third of Camden County’s total population and total single-family homes,” Mayor Bernie Platt said. “Our towns span nearly 60 square miles; we serve almost 171,000 residents, and 61,400 households. That’s a lot of business – and we’re here to send a message: If you want that business, you’d better bring down our costs.”

Under the current pricing structure, Cherry Hill pays about $1.3 million in incinerator fees each year to dispose of approximately 23,000 tons of solid waste. Platt estimated that this deal could reduce that dollar amount by up to $250,000.

Officials said they hope to begin realizing that savings this summer.

Platt noted that this partnership is the largest of its kind undertaken in South Jersey – and is among the largest in the state. In terms of the number of households served, it trumps even a similar partnership announced late last year involving the Township’s trash-collection contract. In that case, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township and Merchantville, saw a combined cost-reduction of nearly $3 million; some $2 million in savings went to Cherry Hill alone.

Platt cited this new partnership as just the latest example of Cherry Hill working with other government agencies to share services and streamline costs. The Township has other existing shared service agreements with Merchantville, Haddonfield, Gloucester Township, the Cherry Hill Schools and Fire Department, and Camden County.

“It’s been said many times: Government simply cannot continue operating under the old way of doing business,” Platt said. “We need to work together and share our resources to cut our operational costs.”

He added: “In that regard, I don’t believe in just ‘talking the talk.’ As a municipality, we need to also ‘walk that walk’ – and I think Cherry Hill and our partners have continually set the bar high in that regard.”

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