September 18, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 15 Four vie for seat on Mahwah Council (continued from page 5) of a new five-year strategic plan for the college that was endorsed by the college’s board of trustees. In addition, he serves as a member on various college advisory boards and as a mentor to students. In 2009, he received the Ramapo College President’s Award of Merit, the highest award given to an alumnus/ alumna. In 2011, he served serve on a “Blue Ribbon” citi- zen advisory panel that provided advice to Mahwah Mayor William Laforet in connection with his formulation of the township’s proposed 2012 and 2013 budgets. In 2012, he ran for election to a seat on the township council as a first-time candidate, but was 32 votes short of election. Subsequently, he was appointed to the planning board and environmental commission. Marcus is a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, where he serves as a confirmation teacher and worship leader, and assists with the Children’s Choir. He is also a “Brownie Scout Dad.” Gregg Sgambati, 50, has resided in Mahwah since 2000, and has been a volunteer recreational coach of street hockey, roller hockey, and soccer. He holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration Concentrations from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, which he was awarded this year. He has done addi- tional course work through the Columbia Business School and the New York Institute of Technology. He is also a staff assistant and lecturer in strategic cor- porate social responsibility at Columbia University, a certi- fied project management professional, and a guest lecturer at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has served on the township’s environmental commis- sion since January 2010. Since 2005, he has served as a vol- unteer for New Jersey Search and Rescue based in Ramapo Valley County Reservation, where he has been elected vice president annually since 2006. Currently he is the manager, client development, corpo- rate social responsibility for Tachymatics, LLC and Part- ners. His key functions are new client development in 10 areas of corporate social responsibility, and engaging new clients in creation or expansion of organizational CSR ini- tiatives. Sgambati specializes in financial management, insur- ance, strategic corporate social responsibility, alternative risk, capacity building for non-profit organizations, grants and business development, and sales programming. He has additional experience as an incident manager. In 2009, he founded the New Jersey Captive Insurance Association. He is currently the association’s president. Wong, 22, is a newcomer to politics in the township although he is an 18-year resident. He is currently an invest- ment manager for Generation Investment Enterprises, LLC in Ramsey and the president and chief executive officer for Trinity Property Management, LLC in Midland Park. He is a licensed real estate agent for Full Service Realty, LLC. He was previously the president and chief execu- tive officer of Twist N’ Dips, LLC in the Palisades Center Mall. Wong holds a bachelor’s of business administration in finance and investments with a minor in English from City University of New York – Baruch College. He was edu- cated in the Mahwah schools and is a 2009 graduate of Mahwah High. He is also a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity and for the Filipino Christian Reformed Church in Jersey City. The vacancy on the council was created when former Councilman John Spiech resigned on June 27. The Mahwah Council was unable to reach a decision on appointing some- one to fill the vacancy. As a result, the seat will remain open until January 2014, when the person elected in November is sworn in to the position. At the random ballot drawing last Thursday morning, Wong’s name was drawn for the first position on the ballot, while Hermansen’s name was drawn for the second posi- tion, Sgambati’s name was drawn for the third position, and Marcus’ name was drawn for the fourth position. September 11 (continued from page 9) the enormous wreckage of the Twin Towers from the Hudson River, along with the flowers and letters left in mourning for the victims. “What I saw will never be erased from my memory,” he said. Then he spoke to Robert Delapenha, saying, “I also have a son who is 13 years old and is thinking about college, and when it comes time for you, we will be there for you as your father would have been.” Stiles Thomas, a World War II Airborne veteran and retired Allendale Marsh Warden, led the pledge of alle- giance. Mayor Vince Barra, whose brother-in-law, Wyckoff res- ident Craig Silberstein was also killed in the attack, served as the master of ceremonies and welcomed members of the borough’s first responders and other municipal workers. The Northern Highlands Regional High School “Voices” chorus sang the national anthem and “God Bless America” and the Clan Na Vale bagpipers escorted the colors to the ceremony and played “Amazing Grace.” Uniformed fire- fighters and ambulance corps members were present in force and the entire eighth grade from the Brookside School also attended. Other guests included Mayor Rudy Boonstra of Wyckoff, Mayor Bud O’Hagan of Midland Park, Mayor Chris Botta of Ramsey, and Mayor Bill Laforet of Mahwah. Allendale had been able to obtain one of the last and lon- gest steel girders left from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, but had not been able to have the contractor install the girder in time for the ceremony. When the memorial is completed, the 20-foot girder will be slanted at 11 degrees from upright and a time-line of events will be carved in stone on the base.