Meet the 2025 Primary Council Candidates

By Jennifer Ersalesi

This year's Primary Election will take place on June 10, 2025. This year, six Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates are running for seats on the Rutherford council. This is Rutherford sent the same four questions to all of the candidates and asked them to respond via email. This is Rutherford did not edit the responses and published them in the order they were received.

TIR: How long have you lived in Rutherford? Why did you choose to live here?

Dennis Mazone: Since 2001, my wife, Jennifer, and I have been proud to call Rutherford Borough our home, raising our four children—Max, Jack, Phoebe, and my daughter Megan— in our vibrant community. We were drawn to Rutherford like many others because of work and the proximity to NYC, but fell in love with our Borough’s tree-lined streets, lively downtown business district, amazing restaurants, great schools, and beautiful homes.  

Over the past 24 years, our family has become deeply connected to this wonderful and flourishing community, making lifelong friendships, always seeking ways to be an advocate for Rutherford and to give back to the Borough we love. I've had the privilege of volunteering in various roles, from scout leader, recreation sports coach, to committee member for the Rutherford Downhill Derby. I've also looked for opportunities where I could make a difference by sharing my professional knowledge and experience to the betterment of Rutherford, serving as an EMT for Rutherford Ambulance, as a Trustee on the Rutherford Board of Education since 2015, and as a Trustee on the Rutherford Board of Health since 2021. It’s been such a privilege to be part of Rutherford’s journey, seeing our progress, growth, and success. I look forward to continuing to serve our Borough.

Christie Del Rey-Cone: At the risk of sounding cliche, fate brought my family to Rutherford. Jason, Anabella, Leo and I lived in the city and my younger brother (also a Jason) and his wife were looking to buy their first home. By chance, their realtor was from Rutherford and suggested they look here. My husband and I had just started looking for an apartment to purchase in the city and when my brother started looking in Rutherford, I became curious. After visiting Rutherford with my brother, I couldn’t get over what a gem of a town existed so close to the city. My brother ultimately found his home and I was steadily looking. One day, when my brother was at his soon-to-be home with my father, they called me. My father simply said, “Chris, I found your house.” I was so confused. He said, “I found your house and it’s right next door to your brother.” Turns out the house directly next to my brother was being renovated and about to be put on the market. By chance, happenstance, good luck or fate, the house next door to my brother was perfect for my family. We bought the house almost immediately in 2016 and moved here in June 2017. And here we are, happily raising our kids next to each other, with a gate between our connected yards and a group chat called “The Neighbors” and our son, a sophomore at the high school.

Perhaps more important than what brought us here is what keeps us here. What is it that makes me wander around this town feeling so content and what makes me feel so proud every time I am on the dais as a Councilwoman? It’s the people. We are a community of eclectic, interesting, brilliant people. “Old” Rutherford? “New” Rutherford? That doesn’t really matter. How long someone has lived here doesn’t reflect their investment in the community. It’s not about the quantity of time that I have lived here or what had us cross into the Borough of Trees - my commitment to my community is what keeps me here and what causes me to pour my time into this place. What is it that makes me answer every resident email I receive or speak at a cub scout meeting? What is it that makes me attend community events or respond to those that speak to us during the Hearing of Citizens? What is it that makes me laser focused on improving the West End in whatever time I have left on the dais? What is it that makes me plan community events for discussion around topics that appear important to my neighbors? What made me decide to run for a second term? That answer is easy - it’s the people. Other electeds outside of Rutherford call our town a diamond in Bergen County. And, it is. Not because of whatit was, but because of what it is.

Doug Hoffman: I have been a Rutherford resident for 20 years. I graduated college (TCNJ - The College of New Jersey) in 2005, chose Rutherford over the Hoboken/NYC party scene, moved to Carmita Ave, and have been in the borough of trees ever since. When I met my wife, she immediately reacted to my Rutherford address because she had friends from college that grew up here and loved it.  My wife Carolyn, daughter Sammy (8), and son Ryan (5) hope to always remain firmly rooted in the 07070. For us, Rutherford is the perfect mix of smart, driven people that are also down to earth and kind. I grew up the poorest kid in a wealthy town, which was good and bad. Rutherford's sense of community, diversity, and camaraderie is something that I am very grateful for and if I'm being blunt, I don't think exists in other towns.

Richard Hussey: I've lived in Rutherford for 8 years. My wife Elissa (Hernandez) grew up in Rutherford and we have been together since High School, when she was a student at St. Mary and I was at St. Peter's Prep, so I've always been partial to this town. My career sent me to Oklahoma for 3 yrs and when we became pregnant with our oldest son it was time to move back to NJ. The decision about where to live was easy - we wanted to raise kids in Rutherford. We only looked at houses here because we knew it was the community for us and where we wanted to raise a family. 

Susan Quatrone: I was born in this handsome, tree-lined borough, but I like to say that Rutherford raised me. I was brought up in a loving family where we explored and celebrated the arts and academic pursuits while being active participants in the tight-knit communal life that our town is so good at cultivating. We were passionate baseball and football fans.

Rutherford's excellent school system gave me and my brother the academic tools we

needed to succeed while exposing us to solid, middle class values of hard work,

dedication to the welfare of others and appreciation of diversity. I moved to the big city after attending Rutherford High School, but knew that when I had a family of my own, there was only one place that I would want to be.  In 2018, I returned to Rutherford because I wanted my child to grow up protected by deep communal ties, challenged by highly capable teachers and peers, and inspired to look across the river to chase whatever dream she wanted, knowing she would always have a beautiful place to

return.

Eddie Narucki: My family and I moved to Rutherford in 2009. My wife and I wanted to find a smaller, diverse, multicultural community where we could raise our children. We loved the trees, the sidewalks, the scale, and warmth of our borough.  We have made great lasting friendships and continue to find compassion and kindness here.

TIR: What professional and/or personal experience do you have that will help you lead Rutherford?  

DM: I’m a lifelong public safety professional with experience across law enforcement, fire safety, EMS, public health, and emergency management. I spent most of my career with the State of New Jersey’s Division of Criminal Justice, where I retired as Deputy Chief of Detectives in 2014. Upon retiring, I transitioned into roles that have allowed me to apply my prior knowledge and experience to continue serving the community. I have led citywide disaster operations, as the Director of Special Operations, for the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and since 2018, I’ve been in higher education leading campus public safety.

I’m currently employed at Teachers College, Columbia University, serving as the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety & Environmental Health & Safety. Locally, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an elected trustee on the Rutherford Board of Education, where I help to ensure our six schools run smoothly, support our teachers and staff, and help to make certain our students have the resources needed to reach their full potential. I also serve as Vice President to the Board and have worked on various committees, contributed to collective bargaining negotiations, and helped pass the 2019 referendum.

I’m also proud to be appointed by the Mayor and Council to the Rutherford Board of Health, where I’ve worked to help modernize our Health Department and improve the services we provide to the community. In the recent past we’ve hired a new Health Official and established new agreements for essential services, ensuring the Borough is ready to meet public health challenges and educate residents on staying healthy.

Through all of my professional and volunteer experiences, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Rutherford. I’m eager to continue contributing to our Borough’s growth and success, and I’m committed to making a positive impact on our community’s future as a member of the Rutherford Borough Council.

CDRC: The best way for residents to assess my experience is watching how I already lead as a Councilwoman. All of the council meetings are available on YouTube and I believe I

demonstrate leadership that is thoughtful and committed. I have demonstrated that I am

unafraid to speak to difficult issues with respect, facts, and truth. Leadership is staying true to

who you are, owning what you say, keeping your promises and recognizing that serving what is in the interest of the community comes above serving any one person or interest. I have gone to residents’ homes at their request to speak with them - not only when I’m in “campaign season”. I treat my liaison assignments — the Green Team, Civil Rights Commission, and DPW — with focus and importance. I am available to those volunteers who give so much to our community simply because they want to.

Even as a Councilwoman, I continue to volunteer for community events and in our schools. From the start of my term, I have spent time understanding how our Borough Administrator and Department Heads keep this beautiful place running so effectively. At the same time, I have not hesitated to question “the why” of our decisions. I am consistently available to my colleagues even if we do not agree - in fact, it’s comforting when we don’t agree

because it fosters conversation. Leadership is asking hard questions of people that would rather you turn a blind eye.

How will I lead Rutherford? Exactly as I have led it since January 6, 2023 residents can watch it all online or simply ask me to visit at any time. I answer. My leadership is also demonstrated by the relationships I have fostered at the State and County levels. In just two years, I have connected with government employees and electeds in an effort

to learn the best paths to get what Rutherford needs and wants. Those relationships are critical and I pour time and energy into them. They have helped contribute to unlocking different forms of support for the benefit of Rutherford in my first term and I would build on them in a second with the support of residents.

Professionally, outside of my role as a Councilwoman, I run a team of employment attorneys at one of the largest media companies in the world. I have owned my own law firm and served as both a pro bono and privately hired mediator. I spent years as a mission speaker for the American Cancer Society in honor of my mother’s memory who passed away when I was 27 years old. I even co-hosted a podcast for two years alongside another woman who is fifteen years my junior. We spoke about dozens of issues that women of different generations face - it was one of the best times of my life. All this is to say, my entire professional and personal life is built around people - connecting them, seeing them and caring for them. I listen before I speak but I am not afraid of speaking. That is leadership.

DH: I try to show leadership not only in my professional life as a fortune 50 big tech (Cisco) leader but also in my personal life through volunteering my time and sharing experience wherever I can. For example, I have sought out public speaking engagements at Rutherford high school and other surrounding towns because my experience at work has shown me it's important to encourage women at a young age to join the tech field in order to properly diversify our industry in a long term sustainable manner. I've always believed that you can only lead after you've taken the time to learn about the people and around you and what can be done to empower them based on their needs. And that's what I'd do as a member of the Council - lead based on what I learn about the needs of our residents and employees.During the day, I lead a team of 19 tech salespeople and sales engineers, but starting at 5:30pm, everynight, I pour myself into my family to teach core values like kindness, hard work, and humility.

RH: Historically I've liked to be involved in what I am passionate about, whether in my professional career or my personal life. Once we set roots in Rutherford, I wanted to take a bigger part in our community. Having kids going through the school system and rec sports department was a great chance for me to give back and get involved. I have been coaching soccer, basketball, and baseball for the last 5 years. I think it's a great way to meet other parents and residents while having a positive impact on the future generation of our town. Once my kids got into the school system, I also got involved in the Lincoln School PTA and served as a class parent. I was also asked to join the Title 1 Committee as a parent representative for Lincoln School. Seeing how hard the Faculty of our schools work to provide amazing support and services for our kids also led me to try and give back by becoming a Board Member of the Rutherford Education Foundation. It's important to me to roll up my sleeves and be part of the solution whenever possible. 

I believe the core tenants of building a community starts with families, and the best way to build a sense of community is promoting by teamwork, whether it be taught through sports, the arts or other means. 

SQ: We are at a highly unusual moment in our nation’s history, a moment when many

federal workers are being summarily fired, public benefits are in danger of being

slashed, libraries and education are being attacked, immigrants are being rounded up

and our very democratic principles are being existentially threatened. Many people in

our communities are hurting and scared. Some are terrified about the future. The

polarization between different parties and neighbors has never been more stark.

I am an attorney and advocate for veterans, for the elderly, for immigrants and for many

vulnerable members of our population. As a current Councilwoman, I apply my

advocacy skills to assist members of our town’s population who may feel at risk.

I have been a staunch advocate for our veteran residents, and will work with veteran

leaders in town to continue to address the crisis of traumatic stress and high rate of

suicide among the population, which will only be exacerbated by firings of Veterans

Administration staff (many of whom are veterans) and the threat of reduction in funding

for important programs like the Veterans Crisis Line.

As an immigration attorney, I will host a Know Your Rights presentation for immigrant

residents in town and those who want to protect their neighbors so we can all

understand the best means to do so.

As former Council liaison to the Rutherford Public Library and life-long passionate

reader and writer, I will continue to be the strongest supporter of local public libraries

and public education so that we can continue to promote critical thinking, preserve and

honor our cultural heritage, and foster civic engagement, cultural awareness, diversity

and inclusion at a time when these values are being tragically challenged at the federal

level.

Rutherford is a small town and local values and priorities are important. But there are

moments in history where what is happening at the national level is so momentous that

it bleeds down to every aspect of local life, and threatens the prosperity and peace that

we as Rutherfordians hold so dear. I believe this is one of those moments. As a fierce

fighter for the average American, I am ready to lead the fight for every one of our

residents who needs an advocate. I am ready to help residents amplify their voices to

those who are more powerful and to make sure we preserve and protect all of our

individual and collective rights here at home.

EN: I’ve been a public school educator and administrator for 34 years. I have been advocating for children and their families, and helping them navigate their school system and community for decades. I have also been a coach for several sports at the elementary and high school level, as well as for my two sons growing up in Rutherford. I have already served one term as a councilman 2018-2020, when I had the opportunity to serve my community.

TIR: What would you consider the most crucial issue facing Rutherford right now?

DM: Every community faces its share of challenges, and Rutherford is no exception. From what I’ve seen, some of the biggest concerns from our residents include overdevelopment, land use and zoning, rising property taxes, and ensuring that essential services like our schools, police, fire, and EMS can keep up with proposed development and community growth. There’s also been some expressions of concern around community safety, particularly with criminal activity, traffic, parking issues, and motor vehicle violations, both within Rutherford and from the surrounding area.

Development can be both a blessing and a challenge. It brings diversity, new residents, businesses, and opportunities, while also increasing demand on our local resources. The good news is, the conversations happening around zoning, land use, and development are bringing people together—residents, business owners, and Borough officials alike. I see this as an opportunity for us to collaborate and find solutions that balance any new development with preserving the quality of life in our community.

I truly believe in Rutherford’s resilience and our ability to overcome these challenges. Through continued dialogue, collaboration, and forward-thinking, we can ensure our Borough remains a welcoming, diverse, and thriving community for future generations. I’m committed to helping preserve Rutherford’s charm, supporting responsible development, and ensuring our long-term financial health. We are fortunate to have dedicated Borough employees, volunteers, outstanding community programs, and engaged residents who make Rutherford such a special place to live.

CDRC: Rutherford is not facing one crucial issue but there are a number of issues I hope to be part of resolving. I have spent significant time speaking with the residents who support and educate us on development concerns through Preserve Rutherford. Yes, development - the issue that we have been discussing for years. However, now, we are at a crossroads - we must demonstrate a meaningful effort to create more affordable housing while also minding the concerns around over-development. We need to analyze the implications of where we put new residential developments – how those areas will be served by our existing capacity for sanitation, parking, policing, and emergency services, to name just a few.

Affordable Housing is an important issue throughout the state - we are being asked to make

living in Rutherford viable for those that need affordable and supportive housing. That is a goal I generally support. However, we can only do so much with what we have, so we have to be thoughtful about what that looks like. Responsible development - a word used by a lot of electeds - has to be given meaning. I feel strongly that we need to get more from what we give - namely, we need to ask more of our developers if they are going to build here. What does the community stand to gain besides tax revenue? There are a lot of aspirational projects we hope to have in Rutherford but extra revenue is hard to find, especially with inflation. I continue to work closely with our grant writers for every possible opportunity to infuse funds into the town at no cost to our residents. But, federal and state government funding is decreasing and our revenue sources have been flat. With that in mind, we need to ask more of our developers.

Our Borough Administrator is adept at keeping a “wish list” of projects we would love to do if only we had the funding. We want to keep improving our parks, find a way for a recreation center, continue to improve the look, feel and functionality of the West End, pour more money into the arts - just to name a few. It is our job to find the funding. Development can be smart although it may always be controversial. We also have the opportunity to revisit our Master Plan soon and I hope we do that with thoughtfulness and pulling from the knowledge we have acquired over the past few years since the existing Master Plan was conceptualized.

Other issues that I see as crucial are sustainability and continued efforts to understand how to mitigate flooding in the Borough. Our Green Team consists of some of our most knowledgeable residents in these areas and they continue to educate me on low cost ways to keep the Borough green and environmentally sound. My hope is that continued improvements on the West End will allow us to create opportunities for flood mitigation. I am working closely with our engineers in this regard.

My tenure on the Council has also told me that partnership with the County regarding County roads and the anticipated Rails-To-Trails process requires attention and nudging. Our county is large and the need is vast. If we do not ask, if we do not push, it is easy to get lost. This is where relationships outside of Rutherford become so crucial. I have established relationships with our County Commissioners wherein I can ask about status, and receive an answer. I will continue to do that because certain issues (like the traffic light at Erie and Jackson) have been waiting too long. If we cannot get the light, we need to pivot to a temporary solution and we are in discussions about that. So too with Rails to Trails - it’s nice to have an opening ceremony to announce a project but that doesn’t get us that far without movement on the project itself.

Finally, an issue that remains frustrating for our community is air traffic over our Borough. We

have some residents who have consistently educated the governing body on their concerns and I have spent a lot of time, on my own, listening to them, in meetings with the Port Authority and the FAA and communicating with community leaders from other municipalities that face the same concerns. There were some anticipated changes being made at Teterboro at the top of this year that may alleviate some of the issues but, if not, I will continue on finding creative ways to leverage our state and federal contacts to get our quality of life some respite.

DH: I think Rutherford needs (and deserves) a borough council that appreciates Rutherford's rich history but is not afraid to help our town move forward in small but significant ways. This town is special for a lot of reasons and we must continue to prioritize a safe and inclusive community while leveraging each of our unique backgrounds to come together to solve problems rather than disagree on topics far too often. Simply put, there is too much division and disagreement taking place today. Our borough council has to look past personal opinions/feelings and find solutions that always start and end with prioritizing the community.

RH: Past generations had the foresight to create the amazing downtown that we enjoy today. It's our job to ensure it grows in a responsible and sustainable manner for future generations.

I want to preserve the charm that makes Rutherford special but I understand we must be able to adapt to the changing needs of the community. Redevelopment is obviously something that can have major impact in Rutherford, especially if it's not done right. In light of the recently announced state requirements for affordable housing, many municipalities in New Jersey are tasked with figuring out how to meet these mandated housing obligations. I think The Parker buildings on Park Ave a good examples of redevelopment designed to appropriately fit into its existing surroundings, with retail and parking appropriately part of the project. 

As housing needs evolve, I think we can study what works with existing redevelopment and insist it is included in future designs. If the state is going to require us to build, Rutherford needs strong leaders to ensure the details that we need are part of the plans. I believe we can keep our small town values while preparing for the future.

SQ: Rutherford’s proximity to New York City and other large economic centers and our

walkability makes us an appealing location for developers who would like to build dense

apartment and condo complexes in town. Development of this kind has benefits and

drawbacks, but should be handled in a smart and thoughtful manner, with as much

transparency by the Mayor and Council as possible. PILOT programs are tax benefits

that the Mayor and Council grants to developers to increase their ability and desire to

build in town and to incentivize the creation of affordable housing units, an important

way to keep the community accessible and affordable to all.

I believe that smart development is the most important issue that Rutherford faces today

and will face in the future. Smart development involves a focus on eco-friendly

practices and renewable resources to minimize environmental impact. It involves

increasing the role of residents in the planning and decision-making practices to ensure

that development meets their needs. And it involves encouraging creative solutions and

new ideas to address the challenges we face in town related to increased development,

such as traffic and the perpetual need for increased parking spots.

This has been an important issue for me since I began my time in local politics. In the

2+ years I have served on the Borough Council, development projects have been

discussed in a thoughtful, engaged way that has involved the input of important

community stakeholders. This interactive civic process should be the model of how we

talk and think about development in town. I will continue to lead on this issue, behind

the scenes and in public, to ensure that we make smart development decisions that

involve many different stakeholders in the community, that are environmentally friendly,

and that promote affordable housing solutions. We must strike a delicate balance

between preserving the special nature of Rutherford’s small town, residential, tree-lined

character and being open to embracing some level of change. The highest goal of smart

development is to create beautiful, modern spaces that eliminate blight and under-use

of space and promote diversity, affordability and environmentally friendly use of our precious land.

EN: The most crucial issue facing Rutherford is the same that we are all currently facing in this historic moment: We need to articulate a unified vision now and moving forward. In our community this is specifically to understand how to develop our borough in a way that preserves its character, maintaining our identity as a diverse cultural and socioeconomic place to live.

TIR: As a council member, how will you support and encourage community engagement?

DM: I believe deeply in servant leadership, the power of community, and the timeless concept is that "it takes a village."  I’m committed to building community, fostering community engagement, attending community events, and creating spaces where Council members can have ongoing dialog with residents to create positive change in our borough.

My passion for Rutherford fuels my desire to be an advocate and a voice for all of our community members when they need us most. As an emergency manager, I know firsthand that crises always hit closest to home, deeply affecting local communities like ours. In those moments, I’m ready to stand up with compassion, dedication, and action to support Rutherford. I’m excited to continue working on the areas that have the most impact on our Borough—public safety, public health, and public education. These pillars touch every resident and strengthen our entire community. I also look forward to supporting Rutherford’s arts, music, and recreation programs, along with sustainability efforts like the Rutherford Green Team and Garden Club.

Lastly, I’m deeply committed to defending the values that make Rutherford strong: diversity, equity, and inclusion. In today’s divided world, I’m eager to collaborate with my Council colleagues, the Rutherford Civil Rights Commission, the Rutherford Pride Alliance, the Kipp Center, and other local groups to ensure that Rutherford remains a welcoming, supportive place for everyone, where unity and respect for one another are at the heart of our community.

CDRC: Dennis and I are supporting community engagement in real time through our campaign. We are providing community members weekly opportunities to meet with us and frequent opportunities to meet with each other. There are more to come. We are also proud that we have planned a “Meet the Candidates” night in response to residents’ repeated requests, year over year, for candidates to have one. We have given all candidates ample notice and made a point of choosing a date that does not appear to conflict with any major happenings at our schools or in the Borough. We hope the other candidates will join us on April 29 at 7 pm at the Rutherford Congregational Church, but we will be there no matter what. It is great to answer questions from This Is Rutherford but look forward to answering additional questions from residents.

The best way to support and encourage community engagement is to do so by example.

Showing up - that’s the best way. If our community members see us at events, volunteering and showing up as a participant, they will feel compelled to do the same. I have been given the great privilege of already being a Councilwoman and I show up. That’s the baseline of this job. And, it doesn’t end there. You have to be willing to be seen, heard, and questioned. When someone comes to a Mayor & Council meeting and says something that makes us uncomfortable, the answer is not to break them down or ignore them. We can and should acknowledge anyone that takes the time to come to us. So, too, with emails. If residents come to us for an answer, we should find them an answer even if it’s not the answer they want and even if it’s not the answer we want to give.

I also pride myself on being a connector. If a resident comes to me with a concern or question, I think critically about whether there is any person or group in the community that shares their point of view. I also love promoting our businesses and make every effort to utilize services and resources from town. As a leader, you are supposed to build the web of engagement, not limit it. I am consistently looking to expand influence for everyone, not keep it for myself or the limited group with which I am most comfortable. When Dennis Mazone and I have our weekly coffee hours for the community to meet us, it has brought me great joy that I have been able to introduce residents to each other. I have coordinated carpooling to canvas out of state and attend protests in other towns. I am thrilled when I look in my car and have gathered residents who did not otherwise know one another before. I have partnered with the Pride Alliance to bring speakers to town on critical issues that our residents want to explore. I am laser focused on bringing folks together.

Moreover, I invest a lot of time in supporting events for our most critical residents - the children. Within weeks of taking office, I heard from a young resident who prepared a powerpoint about the need for improved softball facilities. That experience prompted me to ask questions - without really relenting - on why supporting our softball programs in a more meaningful way had not yet taken flight. I’m thrilled to say we are almost there with regards to the fields but there is more we can do to expand programming for children - not just athletes. I am in conversation with some of the artists who live in our town to look for opportunities for public art and expanding the arts community. I regularly invite children to our Mayor & Council meetings. I ask them questions and I sponsor their events. I have spent time with more than one scout troop understanding how I can help them with their projects and awards. Our children are impacted by the Mayor & Council decisions so I will not ignore them.

Most crucially, I support community engagement by demonstrating that I am a voice for my

constituents. I do not sit idle concerned about displeasing my colleagues and, for the most part, they respect me for that. Doing so is not easy, but it is imperative.

DH: It's all about the community. We need more programs for the little kids just as badly as we need more activities for our senior members of the community. I would immediately get to work on finding funding to have the commuter shuttle bus running through town for additional hours of the day in order to drive more residents to Park Ave restaurants for dinner and community events. I don't have all of the answers. I know there will be a lot to learn, and I'm excited about that. Second only to my family, I would prioritize this role as the most important focus in my life. Whenever I hire a new employee at work, I always prioritize a candidate with a tenacious "will" rather than someone that has the "skill" to do the job on day one. I love this town, I believe my will for this opportunity is unmatched, and it would be an honor to help Rutherford move forward in a way that benefits my children, and someday their children.

RH: I believe community is connecting the past with the future and provides the infrastructure for neighbors to help neighbors. 

One program I would love to spearhead would be a Seasonal Sports Swap . It's a simple but impactful concept for families like mine where families who have outgrown fairly expensive sports equipment to those who need them, or who want to try a sport without investing a ton of money. We could use the Borough's existing communications infrastructure and resources to solicit equipment and gear to be donated by families who have outgrown their old sports equipment and see it get into the hands of kids who are just starting their journey. I'd be happy to partner with groups like the Green Team to make sure this equipment stays out of landfills and gets into the hands of families who need it. I know many families who do this informally, but I think it would be great to do it on a broader scale. Sure, it's not a service we typically think of government providing, but I'd like to promote community engagement by helping residents connect directly with each other - offline and in person. 

It may seem simple, but I believe local government may not be able to change the whole world, but it can make OUR little world a little better through small, meaningful actions.

SQ: As a current member of the Borough Council, I have sponsored and shepherded a

Resolution that increases transparency about the Council’s work and enhances the

public’s ability to have their voices heard before local laws are passed. The Resolution

requires that Council members publicly debate any non-routine initiatives that any

member would like to bring for a vote. This Resolution, passed in January, has the

potential to increase community engagement by enhancing the public’s knowledge of

the Council’s work and initiatives and by allowing time for individual residents to weigh

in on any important town matters far in advance of the time they are voted on.

In addition to this transparency Resolution, I believe strongly that the Council should

partner with our school district leaders to promote civic engagement in the academic

curriculum. I would like to develop a civic oriented project that encourages students to

imagine that they are the leaders of the town’s government. What innovation, no matter

how small, do they think would make our town strong, safer, more welcoming or more

forward thinking? This project would be promoted in the schools and the winners would

be honored by the Mayor and Council and invited to promote their ideas in front of the

Governing Body at an official meeting.

Lastly, I would like the Council to collaborate with any interested institutions to launch a

series of enrichment programs promoting intellectual and social engagement for all

residents, but particularly the seniors in our town. These programs could include

Cultural Appreciation Classes (Art, History, Literature, Philosophy), Cultural Cooking

Workshops, Film Screenings and Discussions, and/or a Guest Speaker Series with

experts from diverse backgrounds. Although we do have some of this programming

currently at different venues, a dedicated series targeted to seniors would help increase

civic and social participation and promote increased intellectual, emotional and

psychological health and well-being among this population in town.

EN: In my previous experience as a councilman I was able to engage our community through strong and open relationships with our borough department heads/administration.  Arts and sports naturally allow us to congregate and support our children, who are at the center of our community’s efforts.

Programs such as Rutherford Rock or events like Porch Fest have not only involved many people of all ages in our Borough’s activities, but also have attracted people from outside of Rutherford to participate and spend money in our small businesses downtown. As a small business owner (Social Club Records) I benefit from the sense of community that my family and I have helped create in Rutherford through volunteerism and dedicating a space where people feel welcome and comfortable.