A Marion public servant recently received a momentous and renowned award. Cathy Barker, Assistant Town Clerk, was recently awarded the Municipal Clerks Honor Roll Award by General Code.
The nationally renowned group has recognized municipal clerks with the award since 2001, making Barker part of the 26th anniversary slate. “The Municipal Clerks Honor Roll has celebrated the people who bring heart, organization, and compassion to local government. This year’s nominations once again shone a light on the remarkable individuals who make their communities stronger simply by showing up every day with dedication, kindness, and professionalism,” the organization’s statement reads.
With five nominations, Cathy Barker received the most in the entire state of Massachusetts. She is also the first in Marion to ever receive this nationally-recognized award.
At her award presentation ceremony in the Town House Annex last week, Marion Town Clerk Katrina L. Desroches gave this speech:
“It is both an honor and a privilege to speak about Cathy Barker, one of the most outstanding and kindest individuals I have ever known. I can say with complete confidence that she is the best person I have ever worked with. Her integrity, dedication, and genuine care for others make her truly exceptional.
In municipal government, we often talk about dedication, professionalism, and service. Cathy exemplifies those qualities every single day. She consistently goes above and beyond for the community, her fellow co-workers, and to the Clerk’s office. She demonstrates exceptional initiative by identifying and consistently taking on new projects that improve efficiency. I often have to remind her to take a break and enjoy the rare moments of downtime that she does have – which usually lasts about three seconds before she finds something else to do.
What makes Cathy truly exceptional is that she never waits to be asked. She sees what needs to be done and takes action. She is constantly looking for ways to improve procedures, support the Town, and strengthen the work of the Clerk’s office. Equally notable is her positive attitude, which she maintains even in high-pressure situations. She approaches every challenge with professionalism and a willingness to help, contributing to a supportive and effective work environment. Whether we are facing a busy election cycle, meeting important deadlines, or handling unexpected challenges, Cathy remains kind, patient, and focused. When faced with unfamiliar questions or complex issues, she shows strong determination and a genuine commitment to finding the right answer. If she does not immediately know an answer, she diligently researches and identifies the accurate answer, ensuring that residents and coworkers alike receive correct and timely information. She never settles for guesswork; she always takes the time to get it right.
Public service is about more than completing tasks. It is about serving people with integrity, respect, and compassion. Cathy illustrates those values every single day. She treats every resident with kindness and professionalism, and she approaches her responsibilities with a level of care that reflects her deep commitment to this community.
The Municipal Clerk Honor Roll recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to the profession. Cathy is the very definition of what this recognition represents. Her dedication, initiative, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a truly deserving recipient of this honor. She also received the highest number of nominations in the entire state of Massachusetts.
Cathy, thank you for everything. Your hard work (and friendship) means more than words can adequately express. We are all incredibly fortunate to have you serving the Marion community, and I am so very honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations on being named to the Municipal Clerk Honor Roll. I am so proud of you, and no one could be more deserving of this honor.”
More information on the award and the recipients can be found at General Code’s website, www.generalcode.com/municipal-clerks-honor-roll.
By Sam Bishop