Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-April 20, 2011 Issue

Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 20, 2011 Upper Saddle River Incumbent Upper Saddle River Mayor Kenneth Gabbert has opted not to run for a new term. His decision was made public last week, as the candidates for this year’s mayor and council seats filed for the June 7 primary. Council President Joanne Minichetti, a Republican, has filed for the mayor’s seat, while incumbent Republican Councilman Roger DeBerardine filed for reelection to his seat, and GOP newcomer Steven DeMartino announced his candidacy for Minichetti’s seat. In a letter to the community, Mayor Gabbert said, “While I greatly enjoy serving as your mayor, today with petitions due, is the perfect time to announce that I will not seek reelection to the next term beginning in January 2012. Over the past 18 years my opportunities have included serving as: Chairperson of the USR Centennial, borough councilman for nine years, and since 2004 your mayor. There are many Gabbert will not run for new term; Minichetti ﬁles positive memories as we have worked diligently to keep USR the very desirable community it is today. The borough is blessed with an elected team and municipal staff that will allow for a confident ‘passing of the baton’ next year. “With months left in my term indulge me to take a brief look at the last seven plus years which attest to how we have positively impacted the USR quality of life. Frankly, improvements that have taken place in a rather difficult financial time for our families, staff, and municipal government. Over the last five years we have kept the total municipal budget flat with annual increases averaging just 1.4%, and total borough staff over the same period is down by 15.9% to the lowest level in over 20 years. We have increased shared services and continually seek more efficient operations. Of course the demands on municipal government have grown as our population increased over 6% in the past decade, the fifth highest rate of growth in northern Bergen County. “Fortunately the vast cadre of USR volunteers makes our dynamic community possible. The community involvement with USR Vision 2020 allowed for borough long-term priorities to be discussed in depth and refined. In just five years the vast majority of those priorities have been achieved. Field house and recreational facilities have seen completion and total renovations as have our major traffic intersections and congested areas. In addition we have experienced greater planning and land use enforcement, cooperation with our schools that benefit the entire community; the county’s premier library, and improved Helpful Hints Helpful Hints from ome “Make sure you know where the main water shut-off valve is in your home in case of emergency. Turn the valve from time to time to make sure it operates”. 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Open Sundays 9-3 201-652-5666 Billy Says... opportunities of enjoyment for our long time residents. And during it all we stood firm to protect our environment with the Federal Clean Water suit, standing with Congressman Garrett against the FAA new flight corridors, and with the Rockland community to reduce the proposed overdevelopment on our border. “Efficiency in government goes hand in hand with stable taxes. Our municipal meetings have decreased by over 30% and with that, of course in jest…the chance to spend your tax dollars has declined. “I look forward to continuing to visit with you at our community events such as USR Day, walking the neighborhoods to share your thoughts and working with the tremendous volunteers and youth in the borough. It is with satisfaction that I look forward to the next eight months as mayor of our wonderful community.” Minichetti was named to the council in 2007, replacing Robert Proto. She is a planning board member and served as liaison to the zoning board and to the Historic Preservation Commission. She writes the borough bulletin, and contributes to the municipal website. She is also a Green Team member and representative to the library board. Minichetti has served as president of the board of health, and was a member of the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission. She served as co-chair of the USR Vision 2020 Committee, which helped develop a 15-year plan for the borough based on a survey of residents. She is one of three co-founders of the Upper Saddle (continued on page 10) � �� � �� � �� � �� � �� HARDING WINE & SPIRIT Wow! We knew it was good, but not in our wildest imagination did we think Coastal Vines would become such a success in our store. 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