Sherman Mayor Colleen Meeder pictured at her desk in the village. Meeder said she plans to “hit the ground running” in her first term as mayor. Photo by David Prenatt

SHERMAN — “An overwhelming feeling of ‘Now the real work begins,’ and with it comes great responsibility,” was the reaction of Sherman Mayor Colleen Meeder and her immediate family when she was elected in November.

Meeder, who has lived in Sherman for more than 20 years, said her No. 1 priority is to develop the local economy by bringing in new businesses, supporting existing businesses and creating a comprehensive plan that includes recreation and youth programs.

“We have great potential to improve the taxbase and services to residents,” Meeder said. “Located off I-86, half-way between Erie and Jamestown, nestled in the tri-state corner, less than 20 minutes from any one of three lakes, with 4 beautiful seasons, and the surrounding French Creek location . . . we have it all!”

Meeder believes that Sherman’s establishments will enable the village to accomplish the goals she has set. “We have a proven successful school district with great leadership and staff that provide a unique learning environment; a faith-based community with involved churches; an active chamber of commerce; many community support organizations; and an unbelievably dedicated volunteer fire department in the Stanley Hose Company,” she said.

Meeder said she has a good working relationship with village officials and employees. “The trustees are excited about the village’s future. I believe we are improving communication among each other with each meeting,” she said. “I truly value the input of Deputy Mayor Isaac Grotto.”

She gives special credit to Village Clerk Jeanette Ramm.

“I credit Jeanette for identifying the areas where we have an opportunity for improvement. She spent seventeen months balancing the daily demands while steering the efforts of the village in the direction it is moving today. She took on a great deal of responsibility that if very much appreciated by Deputy Mayor Gratto and myself,” she said.

Meeder made the decision to run for mayor after Ramm engaged her help in preparing the annual financial statements for the village last spring. Having spent a significant amount of time reviewing the village’s financial statements and watching the operational activities, Meeder decided to run for office after the retirement of Mayor John Patterson, she said.

Meeder said she realized the challenges that lay before her would require sacrifice and commitment. She credits her husband, Hewitt, and her three sons with supporting her in this undertaking.

“I view my primary responsibility to gather information, understand it, and clearly communicate it to the community,” Meeder said. “I had the opportunity to present at the Sherman Christmas Tureen Dinner, and I enjoyed meeting with the Sherman Cub Scouts Pack 124, alongside of Stanley Hose Fire Chief Matt Oehlbeck, and Chautauqua County ADA Josh Siliano.”

Many projects are already underway in the village.

“This week the sewer department coordinated the successful installation of the DIP (direct inline pump) system with the help of the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District and the Village of Westfield. This is the first step in updating the 40-year-old wastewater treatment plant.”

Meeder says she has an obsession with creating order out of chaos. “I describe myself as a managerial accountant by trade, focused on policy development, internal controls, streamlining operations, human resource management, and overall organization,” she said.

Meeder said she has been developing her communication skills for many years, but they are rooted in her training as a Future Farmers of America officer as a youth.

Furthermore, said she plans to build upon the achievements and strengths of Sherman’s past mayors. “Mayor Patterson had several accomplishments, including the grant funding of our Yorker Museum, working with Chautauqua County DPW so that it might remain in the area, and showing the need to go beyond the village limits in working with other municipalities and organizations.”

Meeder said her family moved to Sherman in 1985, and, as a teenager, she was in The Yorkers, a youth program which at that time tended the Yorker Museum. She also remembers clearing and seeding the park along French Creek. “So, I guess you can say my interest in the village began early,” she said.

Meeder has served for more than 10 years on the Sherman Central School District Board of Education and has been actively involved in the Stanley Hose Co. Ladies’ Auxiliary, 4-H, Sherman-Ripley Youth football, Little League, PTO, and CSP Football Boosters.

Meeder noted that most people in the village know her from her involvement in village activities and programs over the past two decades.

“I believe most people find me approachable, but, in any case, they know that if there is a need, I’ll see that it gets done,” she said.