Wyckoff January 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 New mayor reviews strengths and challenges of 2012 by John Koster Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips recently discussed some challenges the New Year will bring, and cited many of the strengths he believes will enable Wyckoff to successfully cope with the future. “When I ran in 2009, I pledged to look squarely at each problem and make the necessary tough decisions,” DePhillips said. “My standard has always been – and will always be – what is in the best interests of Wyckoff as a whole, not a specific individual or group.” The challenges, the new mayor said, include the multiple applications before the planning board and the challenging financial situation around the area and the nation. “We will continue to support publicprivate partnerships, like the Wyckoff Parks and Rec Foundation, so that we can continue to address important public needs without increasing our tax base,” he continued. “All facets of township government will continue to investigate regionalized services with other municipalities or the county, wherever possible, and we will continue to hold the line on our budget, and we will take a hard look at whether the township can afford to pay for a townwide reassessment or revaluation of our property taxes.” Wyckoff’s strengths, DePhillips said, include the township’s administration under Robert Shannon, the police department under Chief Benjamin Fox, the Wyckoff Office of Emergency Management under Dave Murphy, and the volunteer fire department under Chief Mike Rose, which had dealt with several “100year-storms” in the past two years. He noted that Wyckoff is routinely cited as one of the best places to live in New Jersey by New Jersey Monthly magazine. “We have a strong community with a rich tradition of volunteerism and charitable giving,” he said. “We have strong schools, strong houses of worship, and safe neighborhoods.” DePhillips thanked his wife, his inlaws, and his four children for allowing him to serve, and he thanked all the families of Wyckoff for working hard in a tough economy to raise their kids in the town and for keeping the town strong and vibrant. “I want to recognize and thank all the families who for decades built and served this town while keeping the tax base stable and low – families like the Galenkamps, the Stanleys, the Boonstras, the McNamaras, the Shotmeyers, the VanerPlatts, the VanderEems, the Mariones, the TenKates, and the Toracks, just to name a few.” In conclusion, he said, “I pledge to the children of our township – Wyckoff’s future – that the township committee will continue to do everything in its power to keep this community safe for you, so that you may reap all the benefits of our neighborhoods, our schools, our houses of worship, and our recreation programs so that you may grow up in this town with good memories and a solid foundation to become meaningful contributors to society – and hopefully, to the Township of Wyckoff.” The Wyckoff Family YMCA will hold a Cabaret Night on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. “Until Then…A Trio of Friendship, Love, and Song” will feature Laura Toth, Lauren Blackman, and Shelley Thomas. The trio will perform theater tunes by Cy Coleman, Cabaret Night at the YMCA Correction Lerner & Lowe, and Charles Strouse. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the door. To purchase tickets, call (201) 8912081 or visit www.wyckoffymca.org. The Y is located at 691 Wyckoff Avenue. The Jan. 11 edition of Villadom TIMES incorrectly reported that Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips had been elected 4-1 by his peers on the governing body. DePhillips was named to the township’s top post by a unanimous 5-0 vote at the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting of the Wyckoff Township Committee. Villadom TIMES regrets any inconvenience this error may have caused.