June 22, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Mahwah Business owner joins race for mayor’s seat by Frank J. McMahon William “Bill” Laforet, owner of the Sunoco Gas Station at the corner of Franklin Turnpike and Miller Road in Mahwah for the past 34 years, has formally announced his plan to seek election as the township’s mayor in the November election. Laforet will be seeking election to the unexpired term of former Mayor Richard Martel which expires in 2012. The mayor’s seat is currently held by John DaPuzzo, who is also expected to run. Earlier this month, Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio announced her intention to run for the mayor’s seat. “On Monday night, June 13, surrounded by friends, family, and invited members of the Mahwah community, we kicked off our campaign for mayor,” Laforet said. Laforet and his wife Maureen have lived in Mahwah for many years. They became childhood sweethearts and have been married for 38 years. “We never looked back,” Laforet said. “Maureen and I have raised two beautiful children who both attended the Mahwah public schools. My oldest child, Bill Jr., graduated (from) Mahwah High School. My daughter Jeanette also graduated from Mahwah High School and attended Ramapo College where she obtained her business degree and teacher certification. She is engaged to a local Mahwah businessman who owns a home in Mahwah where they plan to live and raise their family, just as Maureen and I did. As parents, we are so proud of our children and their accomplishments.” Laforet is a current member of the township’s board of adjustment and the Mahwah Municipal Alliance. He said he has strong roots in Mahwah and he has always believed it is a great place to raise a family and operate a business. “I love Mahwah. Mahwah has given me the opportunity to operate a successful business and raise my family. Younger families should have the experience Maureen and I did,” Laforet said. “As your mayor, my priority will be to make sure your family and your business are proud to call Mahwah home, and I want to make sure that every single employee of our community and our volunteers in the emergency services and countless organizations have their voices heard and take pride in their jobs, whether they are paid employees or volunteers.” The issues Laforet wants to address include taxes, the reduced garbage and grass clipping pickups, a lack of transparency he says exists in the township, the cost of water, a different treatment of employees and residents, and the emergency services. He opposes the recent increase in water rates and the use of surplus to support the recent contract agreements with the township’s employee unions. He also opposes the new reduced garbage collection schedules, and wants to improve the amount of information provided to residents. He claims employee morale is low, and residents want to be treated as customers and shareholders, and he wants to bring everyone to the table to be part of the solution. Finally, he opposes any fee for ambulance calls and he wants to increase support for the township’s emergency services. “These are not my issues...they are your issues,” Laforet said. “They are what people tell me when they visit my gas station or see me around town.” He continued, “I believe I have the experience and business sense to find solutions and make the right decisions for Mahwah. My goal is a simple one. Through sound planning and fiscally responsible decision-making, I want to return Mahwah to a low tax, high quality of life town again and make sure that every resident, every employee, every volunteer, and every business owner feels that they are part of the solution.”