Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 18, 2013 Candidates (continued from page 3) business has arisen, and she had to step back for a few months to focus on that. Miller explained that her withdrawal was also caused by “numerous business and family considerations.” She explained further that she originally decided to seek elec- tion to the school board because she was dismayed over the decisions made during the past school year, which she viewed as the “unnecessary wholesale dismantling of our current administration and the damage that ensued.” Koenigsberg, Holst, and Miller all expressed their sup- port for Schwartz and Christopoul. Christopoul has lived in Franklin Lakes for 14 years with her husband Tom and three children, ages 16, 13 and 11. She holds a bachelor’s degree in financial decision sys- tems and a master’s in business administration, both from SUNY Albany. She has been involved in community volunteerism, including serving as a trustee of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education for the past three years. She has served as the board’s vice president and as a member of the board’s Cur- riculum, Community Relations, Operations, and Legisla- tive committees. Prior to serving on the school board, Christopoul was president of the Woodside Avenue School Parent Teacher Association and president of the Franklin Lakes Education Foundation. Schwartz has been a Franklin Lakes resident for 14 years, and has three children who attend Woodside Avenue School. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rut- gers College (School of Business) and an MBA in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She spent 10 years in the banking and finance industry, with her most recent position as a managing director with Deutsche Bank’s private client and asset management group. Schwartz, who previously served four years on the board, was the board’s president, vice president, chair of the Finance Committee. She also served on all of the other board committees. She was the Franklin Lakes Education Foundation representative for the board for two years and the Woodside Avenue School PTA liaison for one year. Valvano grew up in the Shadow Lakes area of Frank- lin Lakes and attended the Woodside Avenue School, the Franklin Avenue Middle School, and graduated from Ramapo High School. He and his wife Lisa have two sons at the Franklin Avenue Middle School and a daughter in kindergarten at High Mountain Road School. He is a certified public accountant, having earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from William Paterson University and a master’s degree in taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is chief financial officer of Flow- ers National Bank. His previous employers include Price- waterhouseCoopers, LLP and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Valvano is an assistant coach of the 13U and 11U Frank- lin Lakes War Eagles baseball teams and coaches in the borough’s recreational basketball program. Previously, Valvano served as president and as a riding member of the Franklin Lakes Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Zolfo, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and his wife Denise moved to Franklin Lakes in 1999. They have three children: 13-year-old Ava, who attends the Frank- lin Avenue Middle School; and twin eight-year-old sons Anthony and Matthew, who attend High Mountain Road School. Zolfo earned his undergraduate degree from Saint John’s University and his law degree from the University of Miami. He began practicing corporate law in 1986 and has worked for various Fortune 100 companies during the span of his 27-year career, the last nine of which have been spent with Express Scripts, Inc. in the borough. Letters to the Editor (continued from page 19) everything running smoothly. I would also like to thank the members of Partners in Pride for their continuous beautification efforts throughout the town. It really makes a difference and makes us smile as we drive or walk in town and come upon these little pock- ets of beauty. I was especially delighted to see the newly planted triangle near the ambulance corps building as I left the library recently. All these things serve as a reminder of what a won- derful town Wyckoff continues to be. In my 45 years as a Wyckoff resident, I have witnessed so many examples of both paid employees and local volunteers working cease- lessly to maintain all that makes Wyckoff so special. It is heartwarming to know that this tradition continues. We are the lucky beneficiaries of the kindness and generosity of others. Nancy Drabik Wyckoff Candidate pulls out of contention Dear Editor: After much difficult consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the Franklin Lakes Board of Education race. I entered the race because I was disappointed in the consistent lack of transparency and consensus building among many of the trustees. I felt decisions were being made without consideration of large portions of the com- munity, and I strongly felt I could make a positive impact. However, an unexpected opportunity has arisen to launch a new business, so I have to step back for a few months and focus on that. I’m confident that two candidates have the conviction and compassion required to represent our entire commu- nity by listening to others, collaborating, and building consensus. These two candidates are Kathie Schwartz and Christine Christopoul. With all the change that has happened in our district, now is the time for experience, and they have that as well. When my children were in kindergarten, Kathie Schwartz was president of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. I was always impressed with her professionalism. She encouraged all trustees to share their views on difficult topics and saved her own comments for last. That shows she is someone who is committed to what is best for our children and building consensus within the group, regard- less of her own feelings. I have witnessed the same with Christine Christopoul. She listens, engages in respectful and thoughtful dialogue, and asks for clarity when needed. For these reasons, and more, I feel confident endorsing Kathie and Christine wholeheartedly. While I am out of the race for now, I plan to run next year. In the meantime, I trust Kathie and Christine with my children’s education and with my tax dollars, and I hope you will, too. Please support Kathie Schwartz and Christine Christo- poul in November. Vicki Holst Franklin Lakes