Reader Submission: An Interview With Nutley Mayor Al Petracco

Editor’s Note: The following interview is reprinted courtesy of Nutley Kia

On July 20, the owner of Nutley Kia had an interview with Nutley’s Mayor Al Petracco. They talked about the town, the mayor’s background and what he wanted to bring to Nutley in the future. All the Nutleyites should take a look at this interview to learn more about the township leader and what changes could happened in Nutley.

Mayor’s Background

Raised on Park Avenue in Nutley, Mayor Al Petracco worked in the butcher shop owned by “Sam the Butcher,” then worked at Shop Rite in Nutley and learned to set up gourmet cases in several stores. After a couple years of hand-on experiences, he decided to start his own business and began by renting space from Foodarama on Washington Avenue. Subsequently purchased the Radcliffe Deli and began operating Petracco’s Deli at its current location on Bloomfield Avenue in 1998.

What the Mayor Thinks About Nutley

As a lifelong Nutley resident, Mayor Petracco would do anything possible to help childhood friends. Nutley is not a town but a community that offers more than most towns offer residents. Nutley was and is a town of hard working people. Many feel there is a dome around Nutley keeping families together. In the old days everybody knew everybody and most families have 2nd and 3rd generations living here. The town has grown and evolved and new people have come to Nutley because it is truly a community built on a solid foundation. Change is not a negative thing but Nutleyites need to fight to keep this community strong.

When it comes to his favorite places in Nutley, the Deli has to be one because it is where people meet as well as where many talk about what is happening around town. The MudHole always brings back great memories because it is a great Park where when he was young, spent many days time doing one of his favorite things – fishing. And, of course, the Nutley Oval is the jewel of the town.

“Nutley has a great balance of people, business and industry. People live here because the town is safe, the schools are good and the parks and service are in abundance.” Says Petracco, “This is a beautiful town.”

Why Mayor Decided to Run For Office

The Mayor started getting involved in politics after running businesses for years because so many people were hurting. As the economy was falling apart, people were having difficulty keeping their jobs/businesses during a time when taxes were increasing. A lot of people were asking him for help and finally he decided to run for office to help more Nutley residents.

Petracco first ran political office and was elected Commissioner in 2008. Having the Deli and rental properties in town, the Mayor tries to get around town as often as he can to see old friends and to meet new people. He tries to start out each day in the Deli because that’s where people meet – “at the Deli we do not have customers – we have family”. Spends as much time as possible listening to people.

More Changes in the Future?

One month after being elected as Mayor, Hoffman-la Roche announced they were leaving town. While Roche has been a great neighbor for many years, it is time to use their moving out as an opportunity to re-energize Nutley. The Mayor feels pressure to get it right. As a small business owner, Mayor Petracco feels he has the right skills to make things happen and is up for the challenge of finding the perfect combination of development for the Roche property.

The announcement that Seton Hall University and Hackensack Medical will build a state of the art private medical school on the Roche property is great news. It now becomes imperative to surround them with a strong infrastructure, which will bring an influx of jobs, people and businesses that will help make Nutley vibrant again.

More About the Mayor

Outside of office, Mayor Petracco enjoys family, fishing and bow hunting, as well as coaching rec sports teams and serving the people of Nutley.

“Nutley has been voted the Best Bang for the Buck in the area,” says the Mayor, “Let’s not forget about how great this town is and we all need to work together to get this right.”

Sends news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com