Golders Green councillor may be eyeing a golden landmark of serving his community
Councillor Melvin Cohen, twice mayor of Barnet, has been honoured for his 40 years of service to the borough at the council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
A politician has been hailed as he enters the fifth decade of his service to his community.
Councillor Melvin Cohen, twice mayor of Barnet, has been honoured for his 40 years of service to the borough at the council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday.
In the first meeting of the council since the local elections, outgoing mayor Alison Cornelius presented Councillor Cohen with a certificate marking his four decades of public service since being elected for the Conservatives for Golders Green in 1982.
Councillor Cornelius said his long service was “a truly incredible and remarkable achievement”.
Councillor Cohen served as mayor twice, in 2003-4 and again in 2013-14. During his first term as mayor he raised the largest ever sum for the charity, Shooting Star, which grants wishes for sick children and provide palliative care.
He said: “Things have changed so much in 40 years. I preceded the age of technology and I guess I have been left a little behind, but I have enjoyed my time on this council over the years and I am really looking forward to the next four years serving my constituents in Golders Green and the inhabitants of this illustrious borough in general.”
The award received support from both outgoing Conservative leader, Dan Thomas, and the new leader of Barnet Council, Labour’s Barry Rawlings. Councillor Rawlings said: “Forty years service to your borough is truly commendable, and despite sitting on the other side of the aisle from Councillor Cohen I’ve always found him to be a hugely respectful and hardworking councillor.
“He has worked diligently for his community and continues to do so. Four decades is quite an astonishing feat and I’m glad I can be here to congratulate him”.
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