Belleville Gets Ready To Welcome 3 New Council Members: 2024 Election

BELLEVILLE, NJ — This summer – after nearly 20 years – Belleville will have three new ward council members: Tracy Juanita Williams, Diana Guardabasco and Frank Velez.

The dust has settled from the town’s 2024 municipal election, which took place earlier this month. Voters selected three new council members – Williams, Guardabasco and Velez – in addition to re-electing Vincent Cozzarelli in the town’s Third Ward.

Terms last for four years. Read More: Belleville, Nutley 2024 Election Results (Local Updates)

TRACY JUANITA WILLIAMS

Williams, ran in the Frist Ward to replace Marie Strumolo-Burke, who represented the town’s First Ward for two decades before she died in March. See Related: Belleville Councilwoman Dies Before Term Ends

Williams – who saw an endorsement from Strumolo-Burke before she passed away – said that she looks forward to “carrying on the legacy” which the late councilwoman left behind.

Williams claimed victory in the First Ward last week:

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to the people of the 1st Ward, my Dad, my family, my friends and my Lord for allowing me to serve as your next Councilwoman. The last several months have been an emotional journey as I have sought to carry on the legacy of our late, great Councilwoman Marie Strumolo Burke of standing for every First Ward Family. I know Marie is looking down at us with happiness and grace. We will never forget her 20 years of service to our community, and I will always honor her memory during my time in office.”

Williams continued:

“I want to again thank the voters for placing your trust in me, once again, to serve Belleville families in this new role. I promise I will always advocate for every resident and family with every fiber of my being: I will be ‘your’ voice on the Council. I look forward to serving with every member of the Council, and working collaboratively to move Belleville forward. I’d also again like to thank my campaign team at Vital Media Relations: my campaign consultant Patrick Baselice, Field Director Nicholas Scotti, and my amazing husband, Richard. Thank you all again. And may God Bless you, your family, and may God Bless Belleville.”

DIANA GUARDABASCO

Guardabasco – who ran on the Better Belleville ticket – received an endorsement from Mayor Michael Melham enroute to her Election Day victory.

Guardabasco is a lifelong Belleville resident and a Class of 1982 graduate from Belleville High School. She had lived in the Fourth Ward for more than 20 years, and has been an employee in the local school district for over 16 years.

Her campaign platform included:

• Utilize extensive experience in Belleville Youth Sports to enhance the town’s recreational offerings.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Board of Education.
• Advocate for the creation of municipal parking lots to support local businesses.
• Collaborate with the NJ Department of Transportation on the future redesign of Washington Avenue.
• Collaborate with existing Council Members to stabilize taxes while maintaining quality programs and services for residents.
• Work with existing Council Members to stabilize taxes while preserving quality programs and services for residents.

The mayor congratulated Guardabasco and the other winning candidates in a social media message, mentioning that – as of July 1 – Belleville will have three new ward councilpersons … a notable milestone for the township.

FRANK VELEZ

Velez has claimed victory in the race for town council in the town’s Second Ward, making him the youngest-ever councilman elected to the job in Belleville. Read More: Velez Declares Election Win In Belleville: 'Youngest-Ever Councilman'

Velez ran for town council in 2020, losing that contest to the incumbent, Steven Rovell. But he rebounded quickly, running for the Belleville Board of Education in 2021 – and capturing a seat with flying colors. With his victory, the then-19-year-old became the youngest person ever elected to the school board in the town’s history.

When Rovell decided not to run for re-election in the Second Ward this year – saying that after five terms it was time to “step back” – it left a vacuum of power in the ward, which will be filled by Velez.

“Despite the deck being stacked against us, the voters of the Second Ward have sent a clear message: It’s time for a change,” Velez wrote in the wake of this year’s election.

“From doing more for special needs families like mine, to standing up for our seniors and children, I will continue to be an independent voice for all Belleville families,” he continued. “I’m proud to also say I will become the youngest councilman in Belleville history, as well as the first Hispanic man to serve on the council. The significance of this victory does not escape me, and I promise I will continue to serve Belleville families on the council with the utmost dedication, passion, and respect for all.”

“Together, we will move Belleville forward,” Velez added.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page.