By Hal Lippman | President, Citizens for a Better City

Like so many others in our community, Citizens for a Better City (CBC) wishes to express its sadness at the passing of Carol DeLong.

In so doing, however, even more so we want to acknowledge and celebrate her myriad contributions as a more than 50-year member of and leader in our organization.

For example, while her service on the City Council for 16 years (1974-1990), including eight years as our first woman Mayor (1980-1988), has been noted with the well-deserved praise it deserves, we take additional pride in her always having run for this elected office under the CBC banner.

Back in the day, gaining CBC’s endorsement and attendant campaign support was a major undertaking. Among other things, aspirants were required to undergo the rigors of presenting themselves at a nominating convention, with all the trappings of the major events we witness every four years when our two major political parties work to select their nominees for President.

In these nerve-racking public meetings Carol’s unique blend of traits that carried over and served her and our organization so well for decades – keen intellect, plain-speaking manner, eye for detail, and humility – were on display consistently.

Reflecting these traits, her character, and extraordinary record of sustained achievement, in 2002 Carol received the Jane and Wayne Dexter Award, CBC’s highest honor.

In sum, while our sadness over her passing lingers and will no doubt continue for some time, for the CBC community she will live on as a beacon and embodiment of our cherished principles of citizen engagement and effective/responsive/accountable local government.

In every sense of the phrase and with our profound sense of gratitude, Carol’s was “a life well-lived,” whose effects will long endure.