Mary and Richard LeTard receive proclamations from township
By: Paul Sisolak
MONTGOMERY Mary and Richard LeTard, who devoted years of service to the Montgomery Township Committee and Planning Board, were honored Thursday and Monday, respectively, by the two entities.
The committee issued an honorary proclamation Thursday for the LeTards, who are retiring to Tennessee next week.
"The residents of the township have benefited from the LeTards’ extraordinary degree of civic mindedness, devotion to duty and adherence to high standards, which serves as an inspiration to all," read the proclamation.
Ms. LeTard served as township mayor in 1999. Mr. LeTard, who recently retired from his position as a township Planning Board member, was chairman of the board for 10 years. Together, the LeTards served for 28 years in many civic capacities since moving to Montgomery in 1974 from North Dakota.
"As I look back on the 29 years we’ve lived here," Mr. LeTard told the Township Committee on Thursday, "Mary and I have made it our focus. We’ve always given back to the community. We will miss Montgomery a lot."
In addition to serving on the Township Committee, Ms. LeTard served on the Affordable Housing Committee and Youth Services/Municipal Alliance, and was a liaison to various other advisory committees.
But it was perhaps her years as the Welcome Wagon lady going door to door across the township to welcome new residents that acquainted her with many members of the neighborhood.
Township Committeeman Mark Caliguire, a fellow Republican, thanked Ms. LeTard for her familiarity with the community, which she developed while working for the Welcome Wagon. It became an advantage to him while campaigning for his first committee seat, he said, when Ms. LeTard drove him from door to door, always knowing the best houses to approach.
Mayor Louise Wilson, also a member of the Planning Board, said Mr. LeTard has been a valued member.
"I know that every single member of the Planning Board has great respect" for Mr. LeTard, she said.
The Planning Board issued its own proclamation honoring Mr. LeTard at its meeting Monday.
"He really made a big difference in the town," said Planning Board Chairman Steve Sacks-Wilner.
Mr. LeTard joined the board in 1982 as an adviser and worked his way up as an alternate and then as a fixed member before becoming chairman for the first time in 1988. He headed the board for the last time in 2001.
After joining the Montgomery Code of Ethics Committee in 1975, Mr. LeTard spent three decades as a member of the Master Plan, Sewer and Airport Advisory Committees and the NPDC Task Force, and as chairman of the Township Recreation basketball team, among other activities.
In his closing remarks Thursday to the Township Committee, Mr. LeTard promoted the benefits of volunteering one’s time to community service.
"I urge everyone to do what they can," he said. "Coach a team, work on a political campaign. You’ll make a difference and you’ll never regret it."