December 7, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Mahwah New mayor and councilman take oaths of office by Frank J. McMahon Newly-elected Mahwah Mayor William Laforet and Councilman Charles Jandris were sworn in by Municipal Court Judge Anthony J. Gianni Jr. at the Richard J. Martel Municipal Center in front of a capacity crowd. Both elected officials were surrounded by their families when taking the oath of office with Laforet’s wife Maureen holding the Bible for the new mayor, and Jandris’ oldest son Owen, age 11, holding the Bible for the councilman. Mayor Laforet thanked his supporters, saying he has a wonderful feeling about what they have accomplished. “We set out on a journey not knowing what we were doing,” Laforet told the crowd. “We started from scratch and we had no political experience before we arrived here tonight. We were pulled together by a belief that Mahwah wanted change and transparency with accountability where business experience mattered. The community overwhelmingly endorsed those principles.” Laforet told the story of how he was advised to start his campaign by handing out certificates for coffee and a hard roll at the train station, which he said sounded like a great idea. “My first customer I walked up to was all sleepy eyed and I said, ‘Hi, I’m Bill Laforet’ and he said, ‘Get away from me,’” which elicited laughter from the audience. “I said, ‘Oh my! What have I done? What does this mean?’” He said he then went to residents and had a little more time to speak to them and, even though it was only May, it gave him confidence when people said they were going to vote for him. “That gave us wings,” he said. Laforet emphasized that the only way to accomplish things is to “put our heads together” and he announced the formation of a “blue ribbon panel” to address the township’s budget and to give it a second look. “I think you will be impressed when you see their credentials,” he said, noting that some of those who will be on the panel were in the room. He emphasized that the panel will be very transparent. He recounted how he was asked how he would be the mayor of a town that has 26 square miles and he responded, “I don’t think of the town as 26 square miles. I think of it as our town.” He concluded, “What we have here today is a chance for us to talk and speak about what we can do as a team for our town. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who supported me and I look forward to working with the council.” Jandris also thanked his supporters and he thanked his opponent, Steven Sbarra, for running a clean campaign. The councilman said he wants to tap into his experience as a member of the township’s planning board, a leader of the ambulance corps, and as a care giver, and he would like to move forward and get the township moving in a more positive manner. “I look forward to working with this council,” Jandris said, adding, “Thank you very much for the honor.” Laforet will have to campaign again soon because he is filling out the one-year unexpired term of former Mayor Martel which expires at the end of 2012. He will have to run in the primary if he plans to seek a full four-year term in the general election next November. Jandris is filling the unexpired term of former councilman and mayor John DaPuzzo, which expires on Jan. 31, 2014. The Church of the Immaculate Conception Church in Mahwah will explore themes in the music of Advent and Christmas at the Dec. 15 “Sound Doctrine” meeting. The program will be held at 7:30 p.m. at The ‘Sound Doctrine’ sets meeting Mason Jar Restaurant, 219 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah. For additional information, contact Matt Higgins at (201) 327-1276 or NewmanCatholic@yahoo.com.