J-1b. Maple Leaf Award Presented to Tom FurlongJ -11,
MAPLE LEAF AWARD PRESENTED TO TOM FURLONG
ON DECEMBER 8, 2014 &Y - -� '
Tonight we are honored to recognize Mayor Tom Furlong for twelve years
of outstanding service and dedication to the Chanhassen community! Tom was
first elected in the fall of 2002 and began his first term as Mayor in January of
2003. It was clear from the beginning that Mayor Furlong held a special
connection with the community and his constituents This connection was rooted
in Tom's beliefs of doing the right thing, service above self, and a true passion to
build a better community. Tom is a good listener, a natural leader, talented
speaker, consensus builder and all around great guy! He always makes himself
available to the community, having attended and participated in hundreds of local
events and activities, most often with all or some of his family at his side After
serving his first term, Tom went on to be re- elected as Mayor three more times in
2004, 2006 and 2010 1
In addition to being Mayor, Tom served on the Economic Development
Authority from 2003 to 2014, the Library Building Committee in 2002 and 2003,
the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee from 2005 to 2014, the
Southwest Transit Commission from 2008 to 2010 — serving as Chair in 2010, and
the Suburban Transit Association from 2008 to 2011 — serving as Chair in 2011.
The growth in the community during Mayor Furlong's tenure is truly
impressive. Tom welcomed 3,500 new residents to town; presided over 75
residential subdivisions totaling 2,300 acres, including 301 acres of new street
right -of -way, 426 acres of preserved wetlands, and 115 acres of dedicated
parkland Residential building permits issued under Tom's leadership topped
1,900 and over 70 new and expanded businesses opened their doors with Mayor
Furlong's support. Significant public projects benefitting the community,
including the Chanhassen Library, Chanhassen High School, East Water Treatment
Plant and expanded Public Works Building were also dedicated under Tom's
watch.
Tom supports our military service men and women, community service
clubs, Chamber of Commerce and business groups, Girl and Boy Scout Troops and
many other local service organizations. He gives freely of his time and talent to
each of these groups and inspired countless others to do the same. Tom is
especially proud of the dedication of the City's Veterans Monument located in City
Center Park and is honored to have the privilege to speak at its dedication in 2009
Each Memorial Day thereafter, the Mayor joins Veterans and their families back at
the monument to honor and celebrate their service to our country and community.
Mayor Furlong understands and is a leader in developing fiscally responsible
policies in the areas of public finance, planning, transportation, public works, parks
and recreation, public safety and fire protection services Residents trusted and
could count on Mayor Furlong to invest their tax dollars responsibly, plan quality
developments, expand and improve roads and transportation corridors, build award
winning parks and trails, and provide comprehensive police and fire protection.
Simply stated Mayor Furlong is one of the best at what his does — Mayor,
civic leader, spokesperson, community champion, friend, husband and father. It is
truly beyond words to describe what Tom means to our community and his family,
his dedication, his commitment, his passion to serve others. Tom Furlong
embodied what people desired in their Mayor — he was our Mayor and for that we
say thank you and God bless you.