As a testament to his decades-long service to the borough, Rumson Mayor John E. Ekdahl has been inducted into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.

The honor was bestowed upon him recently by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities during the 24th Annual Mayors Legislative Day on Feb. 24 at the State House Annex in Trenton.

“The Elected Officials Hall of Fame recognizes these officials who have selflessly guided their communities through the good times and difficult times, often with little recognition of their public service,” State League of Municipalities President Joseph Tempesta, Jr., also mayor of West Caldwell Township, said. “This small token of appreciation focuses a light on their sacrifices over lengthy tenures, demonstrating how much they care and serving as excellent examples of civic pride for all citizens to emulate.”

The honor is reserved for local municipal governing body members who, as of December 2015, served for more than 20 years in elected municipal office. And that length of public service for Ekdahl has been nearly double that — or roughly 38 years.

Mayor Ekdahl began his formal service on the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment in 1978, serving as its chairman from 1991-95. He was elected to the Rumson Borough Council in November of 1996 and was appointed mayor in 2004 when Mayor Charles S. Callman stepped down. Since then, he has been re-elected three times. His current term ends on December 31, 2019.

There are currently 566 inductees in the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.

Congratulations, Mayor Ekdahl! And thank you for your service!