Tag:

Local Politics

Ridgewood, NJ
Business
Newly Re-Elected Ridgewood Mayor Steps Down As 30-Year Owner Of Greek Restaurant Newly Re-Elected Ridgewood Mayor Steps Down As 30-Year Owner Of Greek Restaurant
Newly Re-Elected Ridgewood Mayor Steps Down As 30-Year Owner Of Greek Restaurant After nearly 30 years at the helm of It’s Greek to Me, Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos has announced his decision to step away from the restaurant. Vagianos shared the news with mixed emotions, reflecting on the deep connection he has fostered with Ridgewood since moving his family to what he calls “the most wonderful town in America.” “It’s been an incredible ride,” Vagianos expressed. "Little did I realize that when I moved my family to the most wonderful town in America that I would be in a business that became my passion for almost 3 decades." Vagianos was re-elected as mayor alongside&n…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Jersey City, NJ
Obituaries
Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency'
Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, a Jersey City native who returned to work at the district he graduated from, recently died at the age of 37, the district announced is a statement. "The early death of Keith Olkewicz, an employee and colleague, is a shocking loss," Superintendent Dr. Norman Fernandez said.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this immensely difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones." My heart is broken……. Keith I can’t believe you’re gone. We were just talking about going back to Medieval Times. How’s... Posted by…

SHARE

by Sam Barron
Teaneck, NJ
Politics
Teaneck Councilwoman's Bid To Bounce Blogger From Town Mailing List Fails Teaneck Councilwoman's Bid To Bounce Blogger From Town Mailing List Fails
Teaneck Councilwoman's Bid To Bounce Blogger From Town Mailing List Fails Teaneck's township manager and police department have rejected a council member's request to remove a local blogger from their email press release lists. Keith Kaplan, a former councilman himself, has rigorously kept township residents and business owners informed for more than five years through his "Teaneck Today" blog. "Teaneck Today" also has a Facebook group with more than 8,900 members. Combined, both have been invaluable resources, reporting and providing information on elections, building in town, school calendars, roadwork, COVID developments and more in much the way a weekly news…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Mount Pleasant, NY
Politics
Ex-Mets Manager Bobby Valentine Tells Why He Decided To Make Pitch To Be Mayor Of His Hometown Ex-Mets Manager Bobby Valentine Tells Why He Decided To Make Pitch To Be Mayor Of His Hometown
Ex-Mets Manager Bobby Valentine Tells Why He Decided To Make Pitch To Be Mayor Of His Hometown He's been known by many as the unofficial mayor of Connecticut's second-largest city for years. Now, after a lifelong career in sports, Major League Baseball legend Bobby Valentine wants to be Stamford's mayor for real. In a week, on Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters will make the call in a race that has drawn national attention and even seen each candidate endorsed by a past United States president. "Tommy Lasorda would introduce me either as the mayor of Stamford or ambassador of Stamford," Valentine says, referring to the late Los Angeles Dodgers manager. The 71-year-old Valentine can't pinpoint…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Tappan-Blauvelt, NY
Politics
Orangetown Supervisor Day Decides Not To Run For Re-Election After Social Media Firestorm Orangetown Supervisor Day Decides Not To Run For Re-Election After Social Media Firestorm
Orangetown Supervisor Day Decides Not To Run For Re-Election After Social Media Firestorm Following a social media firestorm, Orangetown Supervisor Chris Day announced that he will not be seeking re-election, citing pressures from his father, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, and other area lawmakers. The younger Day announced on Tuesday, April 2 that he will no longer be pursuing a career in local politics, instead choosing to return to the private sector. He is currently a local business owner with the Route 59 Car wash in West Nyack. "Thank you for everyone who has left supportive comments and thank you to everyone else for leaving their thoughts," Day posted on Facebook. Da…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Politics
Rockaway Mayor's Suit Against Council Is Remarkably Familiar Rockaway Mayor's Suit Against Council Is Remarkably Familiar
Rockaway Mayor's Suit Against Council Is Remarkably Familiar Former Rockaway Township Mayor Michael Dachisen was in the midst of a lawsuit against the Township council, alleging his authority was being overstepped. Current mayor Michael Puzio, who is finishing Dachisen's term, filed a similar suit Monday in Superior Court. Puzio's suit says council violated state law in vesting the mayor with exclusive control over the municipal administration.  The mayor said "the straw that broke the camel's back" was when council struck a law firm from a list of professionals to be appointed as the township's new attorney, and then approved a resolution to l…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Mount Pleasant, NY
Politics
Westchester Candidate Embroiled In Controversy Over Racially Charged Tweets Westchester Candidate Embroiled In Controversy Over Racially Charged Tweets
Westchester Candidate Embroiled In Controversy Over Racially Charged Tweets An Ossining 29-year-old seeking a seat on the Village Board withdrew his candidacy this week after backlash over a dozen racist and misogynistic tweets became public. Political newcomer David Kezafrika, who was seeking one of the two open village trustee seats while running on the Working Families Party (WFP) line, came under scrutiny after TheExaminerNews.com published several posts Kezafrika admitted making on a Twitter account.  Kezafrika later apologized, saying: “It was never my intention to offend or otherwise add to the discourse of adversity and hatred that is already too prevalent …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Mahwah-Ramsey, NJ
Politics
Mahwah Mayor Recall Bid: Petition Has Enough Verified Signatures To Proceed Mahwah Mayor Recall Bid: Petition Has Enough Verified Signatures To Proceed
Mahwah Mayor Recall Bid: Petition Has Enough Verified Signatures To Proceed Opponents of Mahwah Mayor William Laforet said Wednesday that they have obtained enough verified signatures to move a recall effort forward. "Today the recall election official has informed us that she has completed the verification of the recall petition and determined that a sufficient number of signatures are valid," organizer Melanie Sue told Daily Voice. "This will prompt the recall process to continue to the next steps. "We're hopeful that the mayor can set his ego aside and recognize that more than 5,000 Mahwah residents want the opportunity to vote him out of off…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Armonk, NY
Politics
Astorino Deputy Named Chief Of Staff In Clarkstown Astorino Deputy Named Chief Of Staff In Clarkstown
Astorino Deputy Named Chief Of Staff In Clarkstown A high-profile member of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino's inner circle has been hired by Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann as his chief of staff and director of finance. Robert Alberty, 37, of Cortlandt, will join Hoehmann's staff on Jan. 2 with a $106,000 salary, down from Hoehmann's former chief of staff, Vincent Balascio, who earned $119,000, Hoehmann told the Daily Voice Friday. "I’m delighted we were able to find someone of Robert Alberty's caliber to join our team in Clarkstown," Hoehmann said. "I'm confident he will help find savings after working with a…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes