November 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Councilman Thomas Giordano was elected Waldwick’s new mayor last week, defeating Democratic candidate Bruce Mitchell by a nearly 2-1 margin. Mayor Russell “Buddy’ Litchult, a Democrat, chose not to seek reelection this year. “I would like to thank the residents of Waldwick for once again putting your faith in me and electing me your mayor. This is a great honor that you have bestowed on me, and I will do everything in my power to make you proud of me by the hard work and dedication I will bring to my position,” said Giordano, adding: “If I may use and change around the words to a famous concession speech, ‘Just as we fight hard to win, at the end of the day we close ranks and come together as one for our ‘Waldwick.’” The mayor-elect thanked his running mates, Councilmen Andrew Brennecke and Frank Palladino “for taking on the task and continuing to serve on the council.” He also expressed appreciation to Mitchell and running mates Richard Drury and Andrew Frey “for being a part of this campaign. Your ideas for Waldwick prove that we are all here for the people and their well being,” Giordano said. Giordano garnered 1212 votes to Mitchell’s 684. Palladino received 1128 votes, and Brennecke 1127. Frey and Drury polled 726 and 766 votes, respectively. The public question to allow sports betting at the Atlantic City casinos and the state racetracks was approved 845 to 656. Once Giordano is sworn in at the annual reorganization meeting in January, the council will have to select a replace- Giordano wins mayor’s seat by two-to-one margin ment to fill his council seat. The Republican Municipal Committee will have 15 days to nominate three candidates from which the council must choose; the council will then have 15 days to make the appointment. The appointee will serve until voters select an official replacement at the next general election. Giordano’s council term runs through 2013. Giordano said that his first order of business when he becomes mayor will be to explore new avenues for budget reduction. “By preparing a budget that is fair, this will allow us the opportunity to try to restore programs cut by financial constraints, and do so without negatively impacting our employee workforce. I have many new ideas that I will introduce to the council in the weeks ahead that I feel will benefit all the residents of Waldwick, and with their help, we can put them into place,” the mayor-elect said. Giordano said that he will continue to listen to residents’ needs and, with the help of the council, will try to solve any situation that is presented to them. “We will never not do our job, which is to serve and represent you, our community,” he said. “I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead for me and will give my all to this new endeavor. With your help and the help of the council together we all will continue to lead Waldwick forward because our eyes and hearts will be on our future,” he concluded. Giordano has been a councilman for seven years, serv- ing as council president in 2007. A volunteer firefighter, he has been president of the fire department for the past 15 years. He is a member of the Waldwick Lions Club, the Italian Club, and the West Point Parents Club of New Jersey and is a former trustee of West Bergen Mental Health. He was honored as Volunteer of the Year in Bergen County representing Waldwick. A licensed funeral director in New York and New Jersey, he is the manager of Mack Memorial Home in Secaucus. A 23-year-Waldwick resident, he and his wife Marion, who grew up in Waldwick, have two children, Lt Thomas “TJ” Giordano and Ali, and are parishioners of St. Luke’s Church. Brennecke has been a councilman for three years and also serves on the Waldwick Planning Board. A resident since 1955, he is a past president and 30-year member of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He holds a management position with Verizon Wireless Corp. He and his wife, Carol, have three children and two grandchildren, and are parishioners of Saint Luke’s Church. Palladino, a councilman for three years, is the founder and former president of the Warriors Soccer Club, and the founder and current president of the Italian American Social Club of Waldwick. He is the director of quality engineering for a New York engineering and manufacturing company. He and his wife, Donna, have lived in Waldwick for 19 years and have three children and are parishioners of St. Luke’s, where he is a CCD instructor.