Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • May 29, 2013 Area Candidates run unopposed in June 4 primary On June 4, registered voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the Republican and Democratic primary elections. Independent candidates will not appear on the primary ballot; they have until the date of the primary to announce their candidacy in the November general election. Allendale Allendale Republicans Ari Bernstein and Stephen Sasso, and Democrat Carol Sheehan have filed for their parties’ respective primaries. Although there will be no contest this spring, all three candidates will appear on the November general election ballot, when voters will be asked to select two of the three candidates as their representatives to the borough council. Sasso is a member of the Allendale Planning Board and treasurer of the Allendale Republican Club. Bernstein is a two-term incumbent councilman. He is a graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale and is an attorney with offices in Franklin Lakes. Sheehan is a 17-year resident and a member and secretary of the borough’s planning board. She is a supporter of the Field of Dreams at Northern Highlands Regional High School. In a prepared statement, Sheehan said she has worked in the personal lines insurance industry for 32 years. For the past three years, she has worked as a casualty director, overseeing a staff of 18 litigation analysts and supervisors. She also serves on the Ridgewood Concert Band Board of Directors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Douglass College of Rutgers University and holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation. She said she is running for council to ensure that Allendale maintains both its small-town feel and a sound economic base. “The education our children received in Allendale’s public schools prepared them well for college and beyond and I’d like to see our school system continue to maintain its reputation for excellence,” she said. “Our town’s biggest challenge will continue to be achieving a fair balance between quality of services and tax rates. I believe my experience in the private sector serves me well for a seat on the council. “The issues we face at the local level transcend party lines. I look forward to working with members of the Council, several of whom I’ve worked with in the past. My agenda would be no different than theirs: to do the best job for the citizens of Allendale.” Ho-Ho-Kus There will be no contest in this year’s Republican primary, where incumbent GOP Councilmen Phil Rorty and Kevin Shea have filed for the two available council seats. No Democrats have filed. Rorty is now completing his first term on the council. He attended the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School and graduated from Ridgewood High School, which previously had a send/receive relationship with Ho-Ho-Kus. He received a bachelor’s degree from Nichols College. He has been employed in the insurance industry since 1977, and is currently vice president of Global Crisis Management at Liberty International Underwriters, NYC. Rorty and his wife Nancy have two children. Rorty and his son were both members of Ho-Ho-Kus Cub Pack 54 and Scout Troop 54. The councilman later served as Assistant Cub Master of Pack 54 and as chairman of the group’s Year End Cookout. He coached recreational soccer, baseball, and lacrosse teams from 1993 through 2001. He is a member and past president of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department, and an exempt and life member of the New Jersey State Fireman’s Association. He is treasurer of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association. Rorty has been a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Planning Board since 2005. A life-long member of the Republican Party, Rorty has been an elected Republican County Municipal Committeeman for District 1 for 12 years. He has also served as chairman for the last eight years. Shea is seeking his second term on the council, where he serves as finance chairman and recreation liaison. The councilman attended Cavallini School in Upper Saddle River and graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. He double majored in (continued on page 17)