Duels, Debates and Political Rivalries

Ali/Frazier, Yankees/Red Sox, Hamilton/Burr and Lincoln/Douglas. These are just a few noteworthy match-ups whose epic battles have withstood the test of time. Whether observed firsthand or written in history books, rivalries – in nearly all forms – are an essential step forward in the development of an individual, a team or a political party. They help determine good from evil, right from wrong and in some cases, can change the course of history.

With the possible exception of the infamous Burr-Hamilton duel of 1804, few rivalries end in a place where the loser doesn’t live to fight another day. That said, the end result of virtually all rivalries remains the same: There is one winner, and there is one loser. Or are there? Enter, the Mahwah recall election of 2018.

To briefly recap; a vote of no-confidence against the Mayor of Mahwah in late 2017, led to a recall effort against William Laforet. This was the second recall in three years - which also spanned two separate terms in office. A “recall committee” was formed shortly thereafter and dozens of Mahwah residents began a door-to-door, grass roots effort to begin collecting the roughly 4,100 signatures necessary to place the recall question on the ballot. The Mayor chose to handle the town’s disapproval of his performance and the recall group’s efforts, by being dismissive, belligerent and arrogant. The recall group however, would not be deterred. Their second recall effort was much different than the first. The team was focused and relentless in getting the word out that Mahwah would not stand by, while our senior-most elected official abused both his executive position and the town’s stellar reputation.

In addition to the unfortunate and deliberate circumstances surrounding the untimely death of political rival Eddie Sinclair, Bill Laforet had also blatantly mishandled multiple sensitive situations in recent years including ill-advised and irresponsible disclosures to the press, his inability to cautiously lead deliberations related to a proposed ordinance changes and then lying about those discussions to avoid personal conflict. Mayor Laforet’s inability to lead and govern the town of Mahwah is what ultimately led to a second vote of no-confidence and to our own version of “Ali Frazier III”.

By the summer of 2018, more than 5,100 signatures were collected and certified, allowing the recall question to be placed on the November ballot. The committee’s early efforts however, had been tested. By late Spring, the gathering of signatures had slowed and momentum was beginning to fade. The recall group was beginning to show signs of fracturing, but was far from falling apart. Those on the committee who believed their only goal was to work to successfully place the recall question on the ballot; conflicted with others who believed the committee’s mission was to both recall the current Mayor and then to select his replacement. Through the Summer, Mahwah's Town Council and others on the town’s Boards, Committees and Commissions publicly remained silent on the recall – as well they should have. Privately however, very few were able to hide their disdain for a Mayor who was quickly losing the support of the town. The recall itself was a grassroots movement and remained so throughout the campaign – except for one member: Council President Robert Hermansen. And while they likely acted independently, both the Recall Group, and the Council President wanted the Mayor gone and planned to do everything within their power to make that happen.

Whether he believed he owed it to the town, or he just didn’t want to see the Mayor continue in that role for another two years (or longer), Mr. Hermansen took it upon himself to ensure the year-long effort by the recall committee, would not be in vain and that the Mayor would indeed, be recalled. To be clear, Rob had no affiliation or role with the recall committee. He was neither a member nor an active participant in the execution of the recall but felt that he had to use both his position and platform to guarantee Bill was removed from office. Unfortunately for Rob however, his efforts would ultimately cost him his own seat on the council.

Rob made certain that the people of Mahwah knew the truth about every accusation, every covert email and every back-door deal exposing the Mayor’s missteps. For example, when Bill Laforet told the town that he was never in favor of an ill-advised park ordinance, Rob presented documented, public proof to the contrary. When the Mayor declared, he was standing up for the civil rights of “human beings” - which is confusing given there is no such thing as the civil rights of a “plant” or “animal” - Rob repeatedly pointed out that the Mayor hadn’t attended a council meeting in months and couldn’t possibly stand up for a town, when he couldn’t even make it to a bi-monthly meeting. And finally, when the Mayor chose to take credit for Mahwah’s low property taxes, minuscule crime rate and rare Triple A credit rating, Rob reminded everyone that the performance of our town council, police force, and past administrations, deserved all the credit.

Without question, Rob Hermansen was the town’s loudest voice, arguing against more than just an ineffective Mayor. Rob was fighting an uphill battle against the “Teflon Don” of Mahwah who had both the means and the motive to continue in office for as long as he needed.

The Recall Committee, Mahwah Strong and many other concerned residents and groups throughout the town, researched the facts, disseminated the lies, met with prospective mayoral candidates and then presented their suggestions for moving Mahwah forward, both through word-of-mouth and social media. Some groups presented thoughtful and dispassionate cries for change, while others promoted and planned their own structured coup. Either way, many in the town were ready for a change. It was merely a question of whom and how many would go.

By the Fall, Mahwah appeared torn between the idea of selecting a fresh new face to move the town forward and a seasoned veteran with years of executive and legislative experience under his belt to run against an incumbent machine. Both paths had merit, but only one could insure quick and decisive change at the top without disrupting the status quo.

John Roth offered a quiet and steady voice of reason that the town desperately needed. He listened to the voters and allowed the residents to hear the truth for the first time in years. John represented more than a simple change in leadership. John epitomizes what it takes to be a leader. His campaign strategy was simple: remind voters that there is nothing wrong with our town that cannot be cured with what is right with our town. Lastly, John Roth vowed to work with the council. This simple promise of peace and expression of civic unity was not only the beginning of William Laforet’s downfall, but the undoing of Rob Hermansen.

Rob succeeded in helping to unseat the Mayor; but eventually fell victim to his own campaign promise to lead the charge. He helped light the fuse that would ultimately lead to Bill Laforet’s demise but couldn’t separate himself from the notion that Mahwah no longer wanted to be subjected to the infighting that characterized council meetings, negative articles and news interviews over the past three years. John Roth gave the town hope that the Mayor’s office would no longer be the source of finger pointing and blame. Mahwah voters however, took it a step further insuring the same Council wouldn’t pick up where the Mayor’s office left off.

Politicians are often rejected by voters because they have failed; and William Laforet’s defeat was no exception to that rule. Winston Churchill however, was defeated in 1945 following the end of World War II - though he had an approval rating of 83% - because he succeeded in taking on a task which made his greatest skills redundant. Rob Hermansen failed to win re-election because the very qualities that made him the right man to expose Bill Laforet, were ill-suited for the change Mahwah long desired, and that John Roth promised.

Rob’s political career in Mahwah was the victim of self-imposed, collateral damage, but he likely would have done exactly the same thing if he had the chance to do it over again. He was politically astute enough to know that Mahwah wanted the infighting to end; but also knew that the current mayor would use all his power and influence to fight the recall using whatever means necessary. Rob may very well have put his reputation on the line, his career in jeopardy and himself in harm’s way, to guarantee the removal of Mayor William Laforet from office.

As he began to gather the signatures required to place his name on the council ballot, Rob launched his own personal crusade to recall the Mayor. Then, after securing his position on the ballot for Council, Rob upped his attacks on the Mayor while on the campaign trail as well as on social media. At regularly scheduled council meetings, Rob spoke openly (and exhaustively) about his disdain for the Mayor in a way that would make the rift between President Trump and Rosie O’Donnell seem like a schoolyard game of hop scotch.

There is no question that Rob Hermansen’s aggressive efforts to remove Bill Laforet from office, likely cost him his own seat on the council. It appears his desire to take a stand against the Mayor and do what he believed was best for the town, was greater than his need to serve another four years on Council – which he stated on numerous occasions.

John Roth eventually accomplished what very few thought possible only two months earlier; and in the process, made history. He ran his campaign on the issues and focused on a positive path forward. He also ran on the simple fact that he’s the better choice. He reminded us that only a few short years earlier, Mahwah had a functioning, selfless and productive municipal government that cared for the people; and that he would work hard to bring back those days. He pointed out that throughout his 19 years of service to our town, he never offered anything less than his promise to do what’s best for Mahwah.

In deconstructing the election of 2018, one can’t help but ask the question: Did Rob take a political bullet for the benefit of the town, or was Mahwah simply fed up with all the vitriol and bitterness of the last 3 years – regardless of source or fault? Had Rob not aggressively gone after Laforet, would Bill still be Mayor? - would Rob still be on the council? And finally, was Rob Hermansen inadvertently responsible for helping usher in a new era of cohesive and open dialogue between Council and Mayor, or was he just the “baby” to Bill Laforet’s “bath water”? We may never know the answers to those questions, but one thing remains certain: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has – Margaret Mead.