End of an Era: Nancy Hudanich Leaving Avalon Borough Council After 32 Years
Nancy M. Hudanich, Ed. D., is the seven-time Borough Council president.
Long, meritorious excellence.
That’s a career summary for Nancy Hudanich, one of Avalon government’s all-time greats.
Her exemplary 32-year tenure on the Avalon Borough Council – including seven stints as its president – is a leadership blueprint. Hudanich has served parts of five decades, from the 1980s until a June 30, 2021 conclusion.
Beyond major accomplishments during her time in office – Avalon’s AAA rating by Standard & Poors, a stable tax rate, no long-term public debt, and a 25% flood-insurance discount for local homeowners – lies her nurturing demeanor.
Hudanich cradled Avalon’s interests like a loving parent, handled its finances with a teacher’s discipline, and viewed potential debt with an accountant’s disapproval. Her leadership, along with Mayor Martin Pagliughi and a strong council over the past several decades, mark a golden era for the borough.
Avalon will miss this human encyclopedia of codes, protocol, rules and finance. Not to mention her passion and drive.
“It’s been an honor to serve the Avalon community and to implement a vision, along with others, about what’s best for the people here,” Hudanich says. “I think Avalon is ‘Cooler by a Mile’ because of our culture and our caring.”
Hudanich experienced many facets of it. She was a school board and Garden Club president before being elected to the council. She and her husband Jim will be married 56 years on July 24. They have two children, six grandchildren, and a long history here.
“It breaks my heart to leave the council, but at some point, I suppose it’s a good idea to slow down,” she says. “Jim and I built a house in Florida in 2005. In all that time, we have only been in that place 50 nights. I think we are going to be spending more time down there, but we are never, ever going to lose our roots in Avalon.”
No, and she’s not relinquishing all professional duties. Hudanich serves as the superintendent of the Cape May County Technical School District and the Cape May County Special Services School District.
Only two major jobs now, because it’s time to slow down.
In the blink of an eye, it seems, Hudanich authored a stellar government-service record. She served on the Avalon Council’s budget, finance and technology committee, along with the insurance and recreation committees, besides being president. Formal meetings twice a month, informal ones in between, especially for committee members.
Hard to believe, but there was a time when she was candidate Hudanich.
It was 1989 and she was nervous.
Hudanich stood in a room with six other candidates, seeking a total of three positions, while approximately 250 residents heard the candidates’ views. Some of her opponents were incumbents. Talk about long odds.
“My heart was pounding, it still is,” she laughs. “I guess the people were happy with the answers I gave them.
“A major vision I had then was that we were paving roads and then digging them up for gas meters and water supplies. It was a tremendous waste of money.”
Those words have rarely been said in Avalon since.
How exceptional are her qualifications to lead a town? It’s a matter of degrees … like the doctor of education degree from Seton Hall University, the masters in curriculum and education from Rutgers University, and a degree in economics from Catholic University of America.
They brought additional credentials, which she wove into a pragmatic job approach:
Finance – Put a down payment on projects. Avalon has placed 20% down on many of them, instantly reducing interest charges. Bond anticipation notes, when used wisely, cannot eliminate interest altogether.
Planning – During Hudanich’s tenure, Avalon earmarked $500,000 each year for road repair. The money was in the coffers when a project was conceived. Hudanich says that has involved more than 88 miles of road repair in her 32 years.
Communication – Hudanich broke down the budget into different areas, informing taxpayers how their entire contributions were being spent.
“People do want to see that you are not only spending money wisely but improving the quality of life in Avalon and their investments,” Hudanich says.
Hudanich and Pagliughi, the mayor since 1991, have worked in side-by-side entities for 30 years. Their efforts were stamped on milestones like the redevelopment of the Dune Drive business district, the municipal library, beach replenishment work, and coastal protection.
“Nancy is one of the most dedicated public servants Avalon ever had,” Pagliughi says. “She always had the best interests of the town in her heart. Whatever issue came up, she would go out of her way to do her homework and research it, with no emotion.”
Pagliughi and Hudanich share a long-held love for Avalon’s prosperity. Their association spans several eras of technological advancement, a source of an anecdote.
“Nancy and I have not only worked well together, but we are personal friends,” Pagliughi says. “You want a funny story – this goes back about 30 years ago, before there were emails and computers the way we use them now.
“We typed our own memos and sent them back and forth to each other. I would send her a memo and what did she do? She would correct it. She would mark up certain parts of it and sometimes it would come back ‘C minus,’ ” he laughs. “I guess that’s the teacher in her.”
Hudanich also is admired by longtime colleague Chuck Covington and new council member Sam Wierman.
Covington worked with Hudanich from 1991 to 2019. Like Hudanich, he loves numbers.
“For some reason, we just clicked right away,” Covington says. “We did this a long time together, and I think one thing that draws you to this job is the difference you believe you are making for the people of Avalon.
“Nancy was great with the budget. When it was 2018, she already knew where we should be in 2020.”
Covington respected Hudanich’s precision and passion.
“She really did her homework on all the issues,” he recalls. “She also could argue well for something and articulate well. Nancy cared a lot about what happens and how it happens here.”
Her expertise has rubbed off on the newest member, too. When Wierman began serving in 2019, two eras intersected.
“I was a student at Middle Township High School when she was the assistant principal between 2001-05,” says Wierman, who grew up in both Stone Harbor and Avalon.
“You never want to get called to the principal’s office but if it ever happened, you would want it to be her office you were called to. She was always a great lady, friendly, interacting with the students. She did her job, but she was also approachable. The students loved talking to her.
“Knowing Nancy from that time of my life made this transition easier for me.”
Wierman observed Hudanich’s compassion for the town, knowing it had spanned several areas.
“The biggest thing she has taught me is the importance of being meticulous on every issue,” Wierman says. “She has always done what is right for this town. It’s not necessarily important what you think or what one other member of council thinks, regarding personal opinion. You observe the entire scope of everything and you do what is best for everybody.
“Nancy has demonstrated the importance of speaking your mind if you think something is off. She goes through every detail with a fine-tooth comb.
“I love what Nancy has meant to this town and I would be very happy if I could do this for 32 years, as she did.”
He just might.
Hudanich has inspired the next generation.
