Heck, DiPisa and Link Re-Elected, Final Vote Totals In

UPDATE, 12:30 p.m.  — Final vote totals were released Wednesday for the municipal election where voters re-elected Republican incumbents Mayor Rose Heck and council members Justin DiPisa and Pamela Link at the polls on Tuesday.

As the preliminary numbers began to come in at Republican headquarters Tuesday night celebrations began. Final totals show that received about three times the amount of votes over her challenger Dragan Blanusa, an Independent. Heck received 1,495 votes and Blanusa received 500 votes.

"We are very happy," said Mayor Rose Heck Tuesday night adding that the team worked very hard in their council work and in campaigning. "We worked diligently on the budget preparing ourselves for next year as well because we know it's a challenge and we are hoping that we will do an even better job next year."

This is the fourth time Heck has been elected as mayor. She served two terms in the late 1980s into the 1990s and was elected as mayor once again in 2007. She also served 13 years in the state assembly in District 38 which serves Hasbrouck Heights.

In reaction to the results of the election Blanusa told Patch Tuesday night, "I’m happy that people came out and voted. It shows there is another opinion in town and we will gather the troops for the next election."

Final results for council candidates show Republican council members and received 1,319 and 1,298 votes, respectively. Mary Blanusa, a Democratic challenger, came in third with 729 votes, followed by , an Independent challenger, with 600, and Democrat with 554 votes. 

Democrat candidate for council Mary Blanusa, who is the wife of Dragan Blanusa,  said Tuesday night that given the low turn out the people have spoken and she can appreciate that. "I got out there and showed there are other choices," she said adding that she wishes Councilman DiPisa and Councilwoman Link the best as they go forward.

"I just want to thank everyone for continuing to believe in us and supporting us because we couldn't have done it without every body," Link, who was re-elected to her second term said at Republican headquarters Tuesday night.

DiPisa who was elected to his sixth term on the council said, "The sweetest thing about our win is it's a win that all of us can take credit for" he said in regards to the support of all those behind them. "The truth is we really stand in front and walk with the flags but when we turn around there are lot of people behind us."

Overall voting turnout was light as only 2,376 voters out of 7,245 registered voters came to the polls Tuesday. Several voters said their "civic duty" drew them to the polls this year.

Dr. Burnett Eglow said, “I come out because it is my civic duty and it’s an obligation of every American. They wrote the Constitution for us.”

Donna and Ronald Todd said what drew them out to the polls was the mayoral election and the sports betting question on the ballot. One woman said she came out to support the Republican party.