Laforet, Roth Share What They Want For Mahwah's Future

MAHWAH, NJ — Mayor William Laforet and challenger John Roth spoke about their platforms and what their visions of the town are at a candidates night Tuesday. The men are running in a mayoral recall election.

Laforet, a seven-year incumbent, is running to stay in office. He blasted the Town Council and defended his time in office in his opening statement.

"Our good reputation was sacrificed on the altar of politics. [They're] looking to undo what Mahwah voters did two years ago," Laforet said, noting the town's low property taxes.

Laforet said $170 million in ratables have been added to the tax base and the town has been named one of the safest communities in the United States during his time in office.

Roth has been in public service for18 years. He served four years on the Board of Education, two yeas on the Planning Board, and, most recently, 12 on the Town Council.

He called the relationship between the Council and Laforet "dysfunctional," a relationship he said would be better with him as mayor.

Development

Laforet said there is an opportunity to construct $2,800-a-month rental units downtown at the foot of the train station and noted what's happened to the former post office property.

"I believe we have the chance to develop the downtown our way," Laforet said. "We have a future in front of us. We need a leader who is going to stand up for the right thing and for what is right for our community."

Roth said officials need to be careful of any development that will generate more motor vehicle traffic and improve cell phone service with a new service tower on the northeastern side of town.

"We can't put a cell tower on somebody's front lawn," Roth said.

Transparency

Laforet said he "100 percent" in favor of officials being transparent with the public and that they should be held to a different standard regarding what they post on Facebook.

"The more information you have, the better equipped you are to make decisions," Laforet said.

The mayor also noted that Open Public Records Act requests should not take seven days to fulfill.

Roth co-founded the Mahwah Public Access television station and would use it to make announcements to residents.

Roth said social media has its place, but that officials need to make sure that what is said online is appropriate for everyone. He wants a social media in policy in place, too.

Communication

The men were asked about improving communication between the mayor and council. The Town Council has been openly critical of Laforet, who no longer attends council meetings.

Laforet said the Town Council has "gone off the rails" and that a "deep divide" exists between himself and them. Laforet does not regret his decision to no longer attend council meetings.

Roth said such problems did not exist when he was on the council.

"We worked together. We didn't go on attacking one another in the media," Roth said. "If I am elected mayor, animosity and blame stop on Day 1. We need more cooperation, and we'll have it if I am elected mayor."

Regarding future challenges to Mahwah that have yet to be addressed, Laforet said a 10-year plan is in place.

"We have a foundation that was put in place seven years ago," Laforet said. "We have to be conscious of the future and the 10-year plan. Maintaining a low tax rate, that's important. We work for you, we can't forget that."

Roth said officials need to make the downtown more serviceable and does not think there is room for hundreds of apartment units there.

Roth said he wants to regularly meet with residents and hold town hall-style meetings if elected.

"My door is always open," Roth said.

Roth and Laforet ran against one another in the 2016 mayoral election. Laforet narrowly defeated Roth. (See related: Election Results: William Laforet Wins Mahwah Mayoral Race)

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

Laforet and the Town 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.

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

Photos: Mayoral challenger John Roth and incumbent William Laforet speak at a candidates night. (By Daniel Hubbard, Patch staff)