Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 13, 2013 Saddle River Valley A group of Saddle River residents has announced its slate of officers for the Saddle River Republican Club, assuring a contest at the club’s Feb. 12 election of officers. The election will take place at Saddle River Borough Hall at 7 p.m. Club members who are current in their 2013 dues will be eligible to vote at this meeting. The SRRC’s official slate includes the following individuals and positions: Andy Gatto, president; Joanne Kakaty, vice president; Tim Luing, treasurer; Liz Salazer, secretary; and Warren Boardman and Jerry DeCrosta, trustees. The opposition slate includes the following candidates: Amy Fisher, president; Eric Jensen, vice president; Tara Maw, treasurer; Paul Schulstad, secretary; and Bill Slayne and Ron Gray, trustees. A flyer distributed by the opposition group states that borough’s voters generally do not have a choice of candidates for local office. The group believes residents should have choices of candidates for all governing positions, including the SRRC, and has decided to work within the club in an effort to provide choices in the elections for members of the borough’s governing body. According to the flyer, the group believes the borough’s government has become less inclusive and less representative of residents’ views. They cite the controversy surrounding the cell tower, contested ordinances, and the opposition to the new borough hall proposal. The opposition candidates point out that the officers of the Saddle River Republican Club influence who will be nominated for Opposition slate announced the seats on the borough council. This year, two seats will be available on the borough’s governing body. In a recent letter to Villadom TIMES, Amy Fisher said her group plans to “restore a more conservative approach to the governance of Saddle River.” Fisher, who is a past president of the Saddle River Republican Club, is also a member of the Committee of Concerned Saddle River Taxpayers, a non-partisan group formed by residents who oppose the new borough hall project. The residents who decided to get involved in the political process opted to work through the Saddle River Republican Party, as most of the borough’s electorate is affiliated with that party. Last month, the proposal for the extensive renovation of borough hall was forwarded to Council Members Karen Mastriano, Bruce Walynczyk, and Michael Toomey. These council members were asked to review all of the information that has been provided to date, including the ad hoc committee’s recommendation, the architectural plans, the issues raised by the public, and the opinions of the borough’s professionals. Their review will be followed by a recommendation. Residents have expressed concerns regarding the size and expense of the proposed building. The existing building is approximately 9,000 square feet. The proposal calls for the demolition of all but the brownstone portion of the existing structure, and the construction of a building of approximately 14,350 square feet. The estimated cost is $3,500,000. Showing they care Saddle River Valley Jewish Community Organization board members Ericka Dobriner and Amy Fuchs and children Daniel and Devon Fuchs donated over 200 gifts to seniors at Care One at Valley Nursing Home.