Laforet Is Not Resigning From Office Or Dropping Out Of Election

MAHWAH, NJ — Mayor William Laforet intends to see the recall election through to the end.

Laforet addressed rumors being spread around town that he might either resign as mayor or drop out of the recall election before Nov. 6.

"No, it's stupid. It's a ridiculous notion that I would do that," Laforet said. "That's an example of my opponent spreading fear throughout the community and that's not happening."

Roth said he heard the rumor and when asked if I thought Laforet would resign said, "I don't think he is going to resign." Roth said it is "categorically untrue" that he spread any rumor about Laforet.

Laforet and Roth are running in a recall election brought about by a grassroots group of residents who want to see the question of should Laforet continue as mayor posed to residents before his second term in office is up. He was re-elected to a second, four-year term in 2016.

Laforet filed a 12-page objection to the recall petitions with borough Clerk Kathy Coviello's office. Laforet called Coviello's response to his objections "perfunctory."

Four people, Council President Robert Hermansen, Frank Pallotta, Mike Devine and Roth, filed petitions to run in the recall election, but everyone except Roth dropped out of the race the next day. (See related: Mahwah Mayoral Race Down To 2 After 3 Candidates Drop Out)

Roth lost to Laforet in the 2016 mayoral election by only 92 votes. (See related: Election Results: William Laforet Wins Mahwah Mayoral Race)

Laforet previously said he has an an "impeccable record of performance."

Laforet and the council locked horns regarding a controversial ordinance banning non-New Jersey residents from using township parks. Laforet came under fire for criticizing the Town Council over the ordinance and its alleged discrimination against Orthodox Jews.

Another ordinance required peddlers to get permits before they went to residents' homes soliciting. The ordinances were proposed during a controversy regarding a Jewish religious boundary in town commonly called an eruv.

The state Attorney General's Office filed a civil rights lawsuit against the town. The township recently settled the lawsuit out of court with the Attorney General's Office.

The Town Council cast a vote of no confidence in Laforet in September — the second such vote cast against him in three years.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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