Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • October 19, 2011 Mahwah State to return $542,000 in pension contributions by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah Mayor John DaPuzzo has announced that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has agreed to reinstate $542,000 in state funding for public employee pension contributions to the township for the current fiscal year. DaPuzzo said he learned of the reinstatement in an Oct. 5 telephone conversation with the governor. “The reinstatement of funding for these state-mandated pension programs follows the passing of the Pension Reform Act by the state legislature and numerous meetings and telephone conversations with the governor’s staff and a breakfast at the governor’s mansion on Sept. 8,” DaPuzzo explained. “At the governor’s breakfast, which was attended by mayors of the surrounding communities, I pressed the subject of unfunded state mandates very hard, particularly the pension contributions,” DaPuzzo continued. “I am thrilled with the governor’s response.” Referring to the reinstatement of the funding for pension contributions, Christie was quoted in a recent article in the New Jersey Municipalities magazine as having said, “No one knows better than I that local officials were vital to bringing about this sea change.” “Generally speaking, calls from the governor’s office, of late, have not brought good news for our community,” DaPuzzo said. “This call was truly an exception to the rule. “The reinstatement of a half million dollars in state aid is a tremendous assist in a very difficult economic climate and budget preparation year.” He added that the reinstatement would not solve every township budget problem, but without it, “the hill would have been much higher to climb.” “I am grateful to Governor Christie and his staff, who were so helpful in bringing our local financial issues to the forefront. Throughout the process, I received assurances and promises, none of which were bankable for Mahwah. Today, I have a half million reasons to feel better and to believe that with hard work and perseverance, the process does work. We are far from done, but we will persevere.” The Committee to Stop the Mahwah Mall has announced that they the organization is supporting Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio for mayor in the Nov. 8 general election. Michael Richards and Susan Chin, the primary spokespersons for the committee, have advised that they are urging all the members of their group to vote for DiGiulio. Richards said he sent an e-mail to about 50 members of the group encouraging their vote for DiGiulio and informing them that he is personally supporting her. He explained that he has nothing personal against the other two candidates for mayor, but said DiGiulio has a lot of experience and showed leadership at the March 31 special council meeting when over 400 people turned out and indicated they opposed the adoption of the ordinances that would rezone of the 140-acre International Crossroads property on Route 17. Richards said the council should have tabled that vote in light of the vocal opposition to the ordinances, and DiGiulio voted against the ordinances. At a later meeting when the ordinances were repealed, she defended the public when she felt they were insulted by the attorney for the developer, Richards added. “That type of leadership is important,” Richards emphasized. He also said DiGiulio showed leadership by being a steadfast opponent of the rezoning ordinances in sev- Stop the Mall group endorses DiGiulio eral council votes, and a supporter of a non-binding referendum on the rezoning of the Crossroads property. That referendum was originally defeated in March by a 4-2 majority of the council. However, in August, a 61 majority of the council voted to place a non-binding referendum on the November ballot. Chin emphasized that DiGiulio was always in favor of the referendum. “She really is a voice for the people,” Chin said. “Lisa is a thoughtful person who listens and asks questions and she researches an issue before she votes. We respect and trust Lisa to work for the best interest of all of Mahwah.” DiGiuilo said she was excited about receiving the support of this group and she understands that when people have a problem, or don’t like something the council is doing, they should come out and voice their opinion. “People should remember we (the council) work for them,” DiGiulio said. She added that she hopes the committee’s support is not just about the mall, but about her leadership. “If they are supporting me because they think I’m a good leader, that’s even better,” she said. “I don’t want it to be about the mall. I want it to be about my experience of being on the council and the way I’ve conducted myself for so many years by listening to the people.” F.J. MCMAHON