January 13, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Waldwick Rick Vander Wende, mayor emeritus of the Borough of Waldwick, received the Citizen of the Year Award at the New Year’s Day reorganization meeting. “Without his insight and leadership, we would not be in this building,” Waldwick Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult said, referring to Vander Wende’s successful efforts to have the new Waldwick Administration Building constructed. The honoree served as Waldwick’s mayor from 1992 through 1999 and again from 2004 through 2007. He had served as a councilman before becoming mayor. From 1996 through 1997, Vander Wende was president of the Bergen County Mayors Association. He is a member of the New Jersey League of Municipalities Mayors’ Hall of Fame. “I am surprised and deeply honored by receiving Waldwick’s Citizen of the Year Award. For 12 years as mayor it was a distinct honor for me to present these awards to other outstanding volunteers. Never did I imagine that my humble contributions would put me in their company. Thank you for this recognition. I consider it an honor to serve my neighbors in the community I love,” Vander Wende said. Former mayor presented with Citizen of Year Award In addition to his service to Waldwick’s government, Vander Wende is a trustee of the Waldwick Public Library, and received the 2004 Trustee of the Year Award from the New Jersey Library Association. He served as chair of the Waldwick Public Library Building Project from 2000-03. He has also received the Waldwick Historical Society’s Outstanding Service Award, and Waldwick American Legion Post 77’s Certificate of Honor. Vander Wende served as chairman of Waldwick’s 75th Anniversary Committee, and was a member of the borough’s planning board during the two periods during which he was mayor. He is past president and trustee of the Waldwick Lions Club, and a Citizen Emergency Response Team graduate. He is involved with the Friends of the Hermitage and a volunteer with the Hermitage Museum in Ho-Ho-Kus. He is a deacon and mission chairperson at the Old Paramus Church in Ridgewood, and a trustee of the Creative Living Counseling Center, where he is a member of the Development Committee. Vander Wende is also a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and is part of many local charities, including the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless. The Waldwick Board of Education invites members of the public to its Jan. 18 meeting, when citizens will be asked to voice their opinions on the qualities they would like the board to look for in the new superintendent.The session will be held at the Waldwick High School Media Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. “We are interested in hearing what the citizens of Waldwick feel would constitute a strong candidate for the leader of our schools,” said Board President Patty Levine. She noted that, when the district hired Dr. Robert Penna, who will retire from the superintendent’s post this year, the search company put together a list of qualities the board Community asked to discuss qualities sought in new school superintendent Mayor Buddy Litchult presents award to former Mayor Rick Vander Wende. and the community members who attended that session were interested in finding in a candidate. Last month, the board of education heard from the district’s principals, including Kevin Carroll, Michael Clancy, Pat Farina, John Griffin, Mike Meyers, Karen Mulroe, and Robert Sileo, regarding what qualities they would prefer in a leader. Some of their ideas, and concepts proffered by the board trustees and members of the public, follow: Someone who complements the current administrative team, has an open mind, and is willing to listen to what the current administrative team has been doing. (continued on page 27) But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? GRAND OPENING ������������ ������������ ��������� ����� ������ ��� ��������� ����� ���� �������� ���� ���� ������ ���������� ���� ������ ����� ����� ��� ����� ������� ������������������������������������� ��� ����������� ��� ���� ���� ����� � ����� ������������ ��� ����� ������������ ���� ����������������������� Fresh Fruits, Vegetables & Groceries • Spices • Flour • Rice • Ghee • Oils • Saffron • Pickles • Snacks • Cookies • Teas • Beverages • Frozen Foods • Milk • Dairy • Indian Foods LINCOLN PLAZA (in Grand Buffet Shopping Mall) 875 RT 17 SOUTH, RAMSEY 201-783-8052 $ 39 Tuscan Milk ������������������������������������������������� 2 ������������������ �������������� Gallon