April 29, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Wyckoff Benjamin Fox sworn in as township’s police chief by John Koster Last week, Benjamin Fox took his oath as Wyckoff’s new police chief. He will formally replace out-going Chief John Ydo July 1. “If there’s anything that scares me, it’s that my two best friends are headed out the door next month and taking 70 years of combined police experience with them,” Fox said in a brief acceptance speech. He was referring to Chief Ydo and Captain Ken Hagedorn, both of whom will be leaving the force during the first half of this year. “It’s an incredible void that has to be filled.” The standing-room-only crowd of relatives, police officers, and volunteer firefighters applauded as Fox received the congratulations of the township committee members. “I pledge to you tonight that I’m going to do my duty with honesty, integrity, and class,” Fox said. “I’m thrilled by the people who are here tonight.” Fox is best known for presiding over the Wyckoff Police Department’s award-winning traffic safety and education program. He was recently in the news when he came to the rescue of law-abiding motorists who were being delib- erately rammed by a driver. Fox arrested the driver, who threw a bottle of laundry bleach at him. The officer wrestled with the man, and finally subdued him by hitting him with a heavy-duty flashlight. He also took a leading role in the search for a Ramapo High School girl who went missing and was recovered in Paterson. “We know that Ben Fox is someone who has deep roots within the community,” said Mayor Joseph Fiorenzo. “It is fortunate for the township that we have someone with the ability and the level of experience that Ben Fox has to promote to this position.” Committeeman David Connolly said that Fox had always come through in person, and through leadership of other officers, when the Wyckoff Education Foundation needed a police presence at fundraisers. “Ben was always at the forefront of volunteering, helping us do things for the town,” Connolly said. Committeeman Brian Scanlan said that long before he (continued on page 11) Police Chief Benjamin Fox Wyckoff voters approved a school budget of $29,748,276 by a solid margin of 1,734 to 1,394. Elizabeth De Gregorio was elected to her first term on the school board with 1,921 votes and Carl Anello, also a newcomer, was elected with 1,710 votes. Both ran unopposed. Incumbents Christine Roche and Joanne Zellers decided not to seek reelection this year. School budget, candidates endorsed DeGregorio, an attorney, is a graduate of SUNY and of Brooklyn Law School. She is active with the Girl Scouts and the PTO enrichment program at Wyckoff’s Coolidge School. Before moving to Wyckoff, she was active in student support activities in Glen Rock. Anello is the president of an air conditioning firm with offices in Wyckoff and Hackensack and has been active in the Wyckoff Education Foundation. J. KOSTER Like the idea and philosophy behind acupuncture but are scared of needles? Why not try Tuina Massage. Let us Gift Certificates help you relax, replenish, and rejuvenate. Available Come on in and get your 20% off with this coupon! WELLNESS CENTER ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������ A Neighborhood Massage Therapy