Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 20, 2011 Allendale Schoepflin will not seek sixth term on council by John Koster Robert Schoepflin, a five-term member of the Allendale Borough Council and former CEO of several corporations, has opted not to seek reelection this November. Republicans Amy Wilcynski, an incumbent councilwoman, and Jacqueline “Jackie” McSwiggan have filed for their party’s June 7 primary. “Bob Schoepflin has been my mentor, the person I always looked to for his advice and experience ever since I joined the council in 2001,” Mayor Vince Barra said last week, reflecting on Schoepflin’s decision. “He was always careful and always calm in making decisions and his work for the borough was of tremendous importance. He was council president three times, and I think he holds the record for length of service on the council.” Mayor Barra praised Schoepfiln for the huge amount of time that he put in toward helping to manage the borough. Schoepflin, who has four college degrees, including two from Harvard University, is long retired, and he was a regular, along with Barra and Council Member Elizabeth White, on trips to Trenton to consult with the state and -- against what some cynics said were long odds -- to help obtain a number of state Green Acres and Bergen County Open Space grants for local projects, notably the creation of a park at Orchard Commons on Franklin Turnpike. The site had been targeted for 24 condominium units in eight buildings until Barra, Schoepflin, and White, triggered by an initiative of Council Member Jim Strauch to seek voluntary $1,000 resident contributions to purchase the fouracre site. Barra and Strauch each gave one another major credit for the park, but both concurred that while Schoepflin’s modesty made him a virtual silent partner, his financial experience was indispensible. Members of the administrative staff also praised Schoepflin as immensely informed and reliable, always a gentleman, and wished him well on his impending departure from public life. Councilwoman Wilcynski owns and operates a landscaping and ornamental gardening company with an emphasis on the environment. Her expertise in environmental landscaping is one of a number of skills she brings to the council. McSwiggan, a former senior executive at the Bank of New York, is also a former member of the Allendale K-8 Board of Education, a recent appointee to the Allendale Planning Board, and president of the Municipal Alliance. She has also served as a volunteer in a number of other church and civil groups. Robert Schoepflin Easter Flowers and Plants Spring Annuals and Perennials Pansies • Hyacinths Daffodils• Tulips Hydrangeas 85 Airmont Ave • Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-529-2595 • secorfarms.com Secor Farms The Allendale Chamber of Commerce is collecting items for a care package for Jay Blondin, an Allendale resident stationed in Afghanistan. Items from the request list and monetary donations are welcome and may be dropped off at Chamber President Nickie Lisella’s office at Terrie O’Connor Realtors, 75 West Allendale Avenue, Allendale, or contact Chamber Secretary Adrienne Tenbekjian of Jumbleiah at (201) 825-2077 or jumbleiah2@aol.com and a Chamber member will shop for you. Requested items include snacks that don’t melt, sunflower seeds, protein/power bars, peanut snacks, powdered flavored drinks, stamps, used paperbacks, magazines, Q-tips, rubber gloves, unscented Chamber collects for soldier, Soles4Souls baby wipes, saline solution (Opti Free Replenish), Visine, Dove soap; Degree deodorant, Crest Pro Health toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, aspirin, hand sanitizer, Oil-of-Olay 2-in-1 facial cloths, Febreze, and AA and AAA batteries. The Allendale Chamber is also collecting gently used shoes for Soles4Souls. The shoes will be delivered to Japan and Haiti. Shoe companies, retailers, individuals, schools, and groups are encouraged to donate. Soles4Soles is a non-profit recognized by the IRS; donors are eligible for tax advantages. Donations may be dropped off at Darla’s Porch at the southern end of the A&P Shopping Center in Allendale or at Terrie O’Connor Realtors. 4-20-11 joan/janine Decker Electric The Black & SecorFarmsEasterSpring3x3(4-20-11) Mower Starts With The 3 x 3” Rev1 Flick Of A Switch It Never Runs Out of Gas And Doesn’t Pollute! Easy to Operate 18” Mulching Mower With Flip-Over Handle Other Models To Choose From Propane Available 7 Days A Week Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8 Sat 8-5 27 FRANKLIN TPKE, WALDWICK www.homehardwaresupply.com 201-652-5666 OPEN SUNDAY 9-3