McManus: 'I'm Just Very Lucky'

Madeline McManus was driving around Hopatcong recently when it hit her.

"You realize the decisions you've made are the decisions that are here in the town," she said. "They may be gone 10 years from now, 20 years from now, but you see them."

McManus was reflecting on the 12 years she had spent on Hopatcong's council, a run that will end when Republican newcomer Estelle Klein replaces the Democrat on Jan. 1. McManus decided in June she wouldn't run for a fifth term, saying she wanted to explore other "journeys" after considering running as an independent.

Klein ran alongside Councilman John Young and Mayor Sylvia Petillo, each of whom were seeking second-term re-election. Klein served on Hopatcong's council from 2003 to 2008.

McManus, who was praised by council members and even given a gift from Mayor Sylvia Petillo at Wednesday night's meeting at the administration building, spent four minutes thanking various Hopatcong residents at the end of the meeting.

McManus, retired Hopatcong teacher, said making the portion of Lakeside Boulevard outside Hudson Maxim School a one-lane road was among her personal achievements. She also said helping establish Hopatcong's Freedom Tree—an ode to the military—on River Styx Road and the Veterans Field memorial were gratifying.

McManus also addressed her time on the council.

"You just go with the flow," she said. "I don't always go with the decisions [the council makes], but I do want to thank the mayor and the council I work with and all of the professional people."

Wednesday's council meeting wasn't McManus' last, however. A special meeting to vote on a raise in Hopatcong's water bills and the combining of the planning and zoning boards into a single land-use board was scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 21.

Still, McManus was feeling nostalgic.

"I was very lucky to have been elected," she said. "I'm just very lucky."

Here's what several people had to say at Wednesday's meeting about McManus' departure.

Councilman Howard Baker: Thank you. It's been a pleasure. I wish you the best. I appreciate your service. It's almost a volunteer job.

Councilman Richard Bunce: Madeline, I've sat next to you for eight years. I will miss you. I know there's been times that we haven't seen eye-to-eye, but that's what being on the council is about. And I will miss you. I really, really will. I wish you the best of everything. We have had a lot of good accomplishments together. We have accomplished a lot together. God bless you, and thank you for your time here.

Young: I've known Madeline for many, many years. I coached two of her boys in youth wrestling and one in football and I certainly wish you the best. I somehow feel your service to the community is not going to end because you're that kind of a person. So I thank you for all your years on the council as well.

Councilman Mike Francis: Thank you, and I hope you stay involved.

Mayor Sylvia Petillo: I remember Madeline when she was a teacher. An excellent teacher. She did the best in everything that she does. It got to a point where it seemed like everybody who came up to the town council had been one of our students, including our lawyer (John Ursin). Congratulations. We wish you the best. You've had many wonderful achievements in this town over 12 years. You should be very proud of your service. It has been a pleasure to serve with you.

Resident Mara Modes: I would like to publicly thank Madeline for all of her years of service. And for being very informative, for looking things up for us.

What are your thoughts on the end of Madeline McManus' run on Hopatcong's council? Tell us in the comments.