By Sean Patrick Murphy
After working for the Mount Laurel township for 23 years, Pat Halbe has retired.
“I am looking forward to spending time with my five grandchildren and to be able to take them fishing and to take them to visit the many wonderful historical and educational sites located in the area,” Halbe said. “I love the beach and hope to spend a lot of time there and to perhaps visit Belize, my dream vacation.
“I also enjoy crafts and reading and hope to have plenty of time for these activities now,” she added.
Halbe’s last day on the job was May 26 and her retirement became effective June 1.
She was hired in 1988 to replace the retiring municipal clerk and became acting municipal clerk in June of that year. She was then appointed municipal clerk in January 1989.
She applied and interviewed for the position of township manager in 1994 when the manager at that time resigned and was appointed to serve as manager/municipal clerk.
“I actually resigned as township manager in May 2006 but I agreed to continue to stay in the position until they found a replacement, which they did not find until August 2007,” Halbe said. “I resigned to spend more time with my children and grandchildren.
“Both positions are extremely demanding jobs and I was tired of routinely working 70-plus hours a week and missing out on so much of my family’s lives,” she continued. “A family member had become ill and made me realize there was more to life than just working.
“I had missed out on so much in order to keep the township running smoothly for so many years,” Halbe added.
She joined the Masonville Emergency Squad, now Mt. Laurel EMS, in 1983 and became a volunteer EMT serving Mt. Laurel. She also served as the Masonville Emergency Squad president and as a second lieutenant in the organization.
Halbe decided to join the Masonville Fire Department in 1984 since she was already at fire scenes as an EMT and felt she could help both organizations and the public more by also getting her firefighter certification.
“I was the first certified female firefighter for Mt. Laurel in 1984 and served as a volunteer firefighter for the organization,” she said.
“I served on the planning board during a very busy time of growth for Mt. Laurel and I believe that the decisions made by the board during those years maintained a high standard and many major corporations located their headquarters here and still remain here today,” Halbe said.
The township manager serves as a member of the planning board.
Some of the many hats Halbe has worn include a trustee on the library board and director of Paws Farm.
“I am most proud that the township was able to preserve almost 1,000 acres during my tenure as manager/municipal clerk that will be here for the enjoyment of future generations,” she said. “I worked hard to make Mt. Laurel the best place it could be within the legal constraints put upon it.”
Halbe said she has become very interested in Mount Laurel history over the years and would like to work with the historical society to keep that history alive.
“I believe it is important to preserve and care for our historic buildings and to make our historical records readily available to the public,” she said. “Having been one of the few people who has had the opportunity to read our township records from 1872 on, I would like to see them available for the enjoyment of everyone.”
And what will Halbe miss most?
“I will miss the team of many fine men and women who work diligently for the township to provide the high standard of services that our residents deserve. They put their heart and soul into their jobs and work tirelessly to make Mt. Laurel a place to be proud of,” she said. “I would not have been able to serve so long in so many roles without their invaluable help.”
