Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 30, 2013 Area Elections uncontested in three municipalities There are no contests in this year’s coun- cil elections in the boroughs of Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, or Upper Saddle River. Reg- istered voters will be asked to endorse their representatives to their municipalities’ gov- erning bodies. Ho-Ho-Kus Incumbent GOP Councilmen Phil Rorty and Kevin Shea are running for the two available seats on the Ho-Ho-Kus Council. Rorty is now completing his first term on the governing body. “I am running for re-election to help preserve the town’s character that drew us all here, and to provide continued vigilance for the safety, security, and enjoyment of all residents in a financially prudent manner,” Rorty said. 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 chil- dren. Rorty and his son were both members of Ho-Ho-Kus Cub Pack 54 and Scout Troop 54. The councilman later served as Assis- tant Cub Master of Pack 54 and as chair- man of the group’s Year End Cookout. He coached recreational soccer, base- ball, 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 Republi- can 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 chair- man and recreation liaison. “I want to try to maintain the value prop- osition that is Ho-Ho-Kus -- keeping tax rates low, which supports property values - - and try to find efficiencies in government and increase volunteerism,” Shea said. The councilman attended Cavallini School in Upper Saddle River and gradu- ated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. He double majored in English and economics at Fair- field University, where he earned his bach- elor’s degree. He has spent his entire career in trading and sales at Goldman Sachs, where he is currently managing director. Before he was elected to the council, Shea was a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Zoning Board of Adjustment for three years. He and his wife, Dawn, are active at Saint Gabriel’s Church and with the Girl Scouts and the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation. He is a member of the advisory board of the Dolan School of Business, and men- tors local students. Shea is involved with the Northern Highlands Fed Challenge, a competition for high school students that is sponsored by the Federal Reserve. In recent years, the councilman and his wife purchased and completely renovated the historical home known by many names, including “The Gingrich House.” Saddle River Saddle River’s Republican voters endorsed Ronald Gray and Corinne Kerner in this June’s contested primary election. These two candidates are now seeking voters’ endorsement for the two available seats on the borough council. Gray has lived in Saddle River for 10 years. In addition to serving as trustee of the SRRC, Gray is a frequent participant at council and board of education meetings. He said he is a firm believer in community participation in local politics. He has practiced law for more than 30 years with two financial services indus- try leaders where he has gained insight into inclusive and transparent governance models. He said his experience has given him critical thinking skills that will enhance the council’s decision making process. “On Nov. 5, please cast your vote for Kerner/Gray,” he urged. “We are commit- ted to our pledge for fiscal responsibility, transparency ...and answers once elected.” Kerner has lived in Saddle River for nine years. She has two children attending Wandell School. She is an active member of the Republican Club, serving as a past mem- bership chairperson and County Committee member. Kerner is a forensic accountant, certified public accountant, and licensed private investigator. In her community, she serves as a Girl Scout Leader and a volun- teer at both school and church. “Our council unanimously approves projects without proper analysis or resident support,” Kerner said. “Our goal? Simple- restore integrity, diligence, and transpar- ency.” Upper Saddle River Republican candidates Dr. Jonathan Dit- koff and Dr. Thomas Hafner have filed for this year’s primary. The two GOP incum- bents will run unopposed for their party’s nomination. Both men are seeking second terms in the November election. Dr. Hafner is a general dentist and has lived in Upper Saddle River for 45 years. He attended the Upper Saddle River ele- mentary school system before moving on to Don Bosco High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison and his DMD from Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Col- lege of Dental Medicine. He opened his dental practice in 1989, and continues to earn post-graduate credits in education. Hafner was a clinical professor at Bergen Community College and worked in research at Lever Brothers International. He also worked in a mobile dental unit, helping patients with disabilities. He belongs to the American Academy of Gnathologic Orthopedics, the American Dental Association, the Bergen County Dental Association, the Huggins Alliance Group, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the Pankee Institute. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus and a parishioner of the Church of the Presentation. Dr. Ditkoff has lived in Upper Saddle River for 14 years. He attended public school in Long Island, where he partici- pated in many activities, including soccer, wrestling, baseball, band, orchestra, and student government. After high school, he was accepted to a highly competitive seven-year accelerated BS/MD program. This program integrated undergraduate school with medical school and accepted 60 people per year. While working to obtain his degrees, he lived on his own in Manhattan and participated in student government and sports. He later completed an ophthalmology residency at Albert Einstein/Montefiore and completed a fellowship in cornea and laser vision correction at Albany Medical Center. He moved to New Jersey and joined his partner at The Eye Care Center of New Jersey in Bloomfield 19 years ago. As a business owner, Ditkoff says he has a proven track record in dealing with human resource issues, budget decisions, overhead control, marketing, and overseeing the day to day functions of a busy practice. His community activities include coach- ing various sports, working on the baseball board, and being involved with charity organizations. He has contributed to the USR PTO, the USR educational fund, the Saddle River JCO, and the Upper Saddle River Library. He has served as liaison to the board of health, environmental commit- tee, recreation commission, and the depart- ment of public works.