Heather Mailander with Councilmen Jeff Voigt and Bernie Walsh
With 28 years of dedicated service to the Village of Ridgewood, it’s an honor and privilege to appoint Heather Mailander as Village Manager. Heather has assumed the responsibilities of Acting Village Manager three times during her tenure and each and every time she has served with a level of professionalism and dedication coupled with kindness and fairness.
The Ridgewood Village Council wishes Heather the very best and, as always, we are grateful for the continued support of our fellow residents……Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen
March 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in a move that makes all to much sense, the Village Council enthusiastically approved long time employee Heather Mailander, to permanently take over the village’s top administrative position.
Residents know Heather Mailander, as the Village of Ridgewood’s long-time clerk. The Village Council unanimously appointed the next village manager on Wednesday night, effective immediately.
She was the acting village manager following the September 2016 resignation of Roberta Sonenfeld and this was the third time she has served in that capacity. Her first time as acting manager came in 2009 for a five-month period after the resignation of James Ten Hoeve. Heather also took over for six months after the ouster of Ken Gabbert in September 2013.
Last night Council members cited her dedication to the village with nearly three decades of service and a tenure marked by a and high level of professionalism, responsiveness and positive relationships she has with professionals and residents alike.
In a post in August 2013 Readers asked the Ridgewood Blog , “Why is Heather A. Mailander capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position” https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-asks-why-is-heather-a-mailander-capable-enough-to-fill-in-but-not-to-actually-be-appointed-to-the-position/
At that time it was asked , “Why is she capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position. Another woman running a dept and not being recognized. She is better than Gabbert and Ten Hoeve
Heather Mailander would make an excellent choice for Village Manager. She is highly capable, has a tremendous work ethic, she knows the town and she well respected and liked by both Village employees and residents. Most importantly she has good common sense………..which is in short supply in Village Hall.”
great choice its about time
Congratulations – it seems like we have someone that knows the landscape and has experience. Please, please, please though – enough with the leaf tickets.
Heather is an excellent choice. She is smart, professional, and she is not a bullshitter.
Unlike Queen Roberta, Heather does not have an inflated opinion of herself. She does not insert herself into swearing-in ceremonies down on the floor, nor does she barge into proclamations and honors the way Roberta did. Heather will simply do the job and she will do it well, without playing any political games. Nope, you will never see Heather campaigning for a parking garage or interrupting residents who are lawfully collecting signatures. And she will not shame us by having an ethics violation brought against her at the State level.
Thank God the five elected officials found the best and the brightest for this job. Phew.
Long overdue…
a great choice. no one knows the town better
I will reserve my judgement until the Great Rurik gives his opinion on this. 🙂
Heather, since you know the village well please look at our streets. Most of them are in desperate need of paving. They look worse than a Bangladeshi village.
Great pick!
an ACTUAL Breath of Fresh Air !
A wonderful choice. Such a class act!! Understated and super intelligent and competent , and knows how and when to communicate. I can’t believe it. It New Joisey yet.
A red letter day for Ridgewood!
Congrats Heather best of luck in your new title. How’s the time to straighten out some of the knuckle heads.