Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES Mahwah IV • June 27, 2012 Competition for mayor’s post taking shape by Frank J. McMahon The campaign for the position of mayor of the Township of Mahwah is expected to heat up later this summer as the Sept. 4 deadline for submitting nominating petitions draws closer. To date, three candidates have picked up nominating petitions, and they have all confirmed that they intend to file before the deadline. Mayor William Laforet, who has been the owner of the Sunoco Gas Station at the corner of Franklin Turnpike and Miller Road for the past 34 years, and is a current member of the Mahwah Municipal Alliance, will be seeking election to his first full four-year term. He was elected last year to serve out the final year of the unexpired term of Mayor Richard J Martel, who died in March 2011. John DaPuzzo, a former mayor, councilman, and planning board member, has also confirmed his interest in seeking election as mayor. The township council appointed DaPuzzo to serve as mayor from Martel’s death until the end of 2011. The candidate has lived in Mahwah for over 21 years and has been a volunteer coach and a Cub Scout leader. He has been involved with many aspects of the township through a variety of civic and social organizations and the municipal government. Edward Sinclair will also seek the mayor’s seat. Sinclair is a volunteer firefighter and former fire chief at Fire Company #2. He is the superintendent of public works for the township and has held managerial positions in the DPW for 17 years. Thus far, there are three candidates for the three township council seats that will be up for election in this year’s general election. Incumbent Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio has confirmed that she will seek reelection. DiGiulio, who has been a resident for 31 years and has been on the council for 20 years, is serving her sixth term in office. She has been the council’s vice president five times, and served as council president three times. Incumbent John Roth, who has served as the council’s vice president and president and has been the council’s liaison to the Cable TV Committee, recently announced his candidacy for a third full term on the council in the November election. He has already filed his nominating petition. Daniel Weixeldorfer, who is currently a member of the township’s planning board and was a previous candidate for the council, also confirmed his candidacy for council. Weixeldorfer has been a licensed real estate broker for over 20 years. He is a RE/MAX real estate broker, and is currently the president of the Ramapo Ridge Phase II Condominium Association. He is a past president of the Passaic County Board of Realtors. Councilman Samuel Alderisio has decided not to seek reelection. If no other candidates file a nominating petition by the September deadline, the three candidates listed above will be elected to the council in November. The nominating petitions candidates must file in order to seek election to the positions of mayor or the council are currently available in the township clerk’s office at the Richard J. Martel Municipal Center on Corporate Drive. Each candidate must obtain 155 valid signatures of township residents who support their candidacy. That number represents the statutory requirement of obtaining one percent of the number of registered voters in the township. Area Members of the community are invited to the Summer Concert Series at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy a wide range of musical talent in these magnificent surroundings. Light refreshments will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own, but NO alcohol or pets are permitted. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts are moved into the Carriage House Visitor Center. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. NJBG requests a $5 per person donation. On Friday, June 29, NJBG will welcome The Kootz. This group covers the spectrum from Don McLean, the Who, and Otis Redding to Jackson Browne, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones. Enjoy many favorite rock songs with this band’s own distinctive sound. Guest artists often join in the fun. This concert is sponsored by Prominent Properties/ Sotheby’s International Realty. Other upcoming concerts in the series will include: July 13, Loretta Hagen; July 27, Arlon Bennett; Aug. 10, Eight Days of Blues; and Aug. 24, Carolann Solebello & Band. Known for her rich alto voice and heart-tugging songs, Hagen is a singer-songwriter whose musical career spans over two decades. Weaving folk, country, rock, and blues, Hagen writes songs with strong, catchy melodies and passionate, poignant lyrics. This program is being sponsored by TD Bank. Bennett uses the muse, his voice and a guitar to deliver timeless songs that evoke a little Harry Chapin and some vintage James Taylor, plus some great new sounds of his own. Joining him onstage will be John Sonntag on guitar and Gordon Roehrer on bass. His appearance will be sponsored by Paul’s Volvo. Eight Days of Blues is a talented six-man ensemble that performs classic blues tunes with indelible style, and great originals. This program will be sponsored by Paul’s Volvo. Solebello’s songs flow with hauntingly poetic images and elements of folk, blues, and country. This singer, songwriter, and poet won the 2011 Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival Songwriting Competition. (continued on page 18) Concerts at NJBG to begin on Friday