Letter: A Vote For Mayor Is A Vote For Mahwah's Future

Dear Editor,

This year’s election will determine the future of Mahwah for many years to come. For mayor, there are three choices.

First, a graduate student with little experience.

Second, the current mayor who has a widely reported, deeply troubled legacy running on a campaign platform of achievements by others.

Thirdly, myself, John Roth. I have served our community for 19 years, including on the Board of Education for five years and the Planning Board for 2 years. Then I served 12 years on the Town Council where I was elected vice president twice and president four times.

While on the Council, I have saved taxpayers more than $5 million, co-founded Mahwah Community News, and revamped the Water Department rate structure to preserve financial viability and encourage conservation. I also led the Cablevision franchise negotiations, which created a revenue stream for Mahwah, co-founded the Access for All Commission to assist residents with disabilities; served on the Senior Advisory Board; and helped create the Municipal Pipeline Group, an alliance of 15 municipalities all working together in opposing the Pilgrim Pipeline.

As council president, I have led the budget process that cut all of the mayor’s proposed tax increases from an average 4 percent to 2.9 percent. This year, my proposals cut the mayor’s tax rate by 55 percent to 1.9 percent with no reduction in services.

I also bring a strong corporate management background to the job. I retired after a 40-year career as executive vice president, managing director of the world’s third largest communications firm. I believe my unique combination of professional experience, community service and accomplishments provide compelling reasons why residents can confidently vote for me to protect Mahwah’s future.

For the Town Council, there are only three right choices for the three open seats: Steve Sbarra, George Ervin, and James Wysocki. Sbarra was my trusted council vice president and a diligent cost-cutter, and an ever-vigilant caretaker of resident needs. He is the incumbent councilman who has served our community well and has worked hard to earn and deserve your support.

Ervin served on the Planning Board, Zoning Board and Recreation Committee. He is a highly capable business owner with a thorough knowledge of zoning laws and building codes. He has also spent innumerable hours coaching many of our kids. Wysocki is 50+ year resident of Mahwah, a retired MPD officer, a long-time volunteer fireman, who is actively involved with Mahwah Museum and Les Paul initiatives. He knows this Town like no one else running for Council. Each one of these Council candidates are deeply committed to our community; they are the right choice for Mahwah’s future.

With one exception, none of the other council candidates have had any involvement whatsoever in town government or other Mahwah organizations. No experience or involvement at all. Jonathan Wong and Karlito Almeda are still in school.

The one exception, Jonathan Marcus, has been mentored by the mayor and he has blindly supported his every proposal. And, because of that, the voters rejected his candidacy three times in the past. Mahwah is not run by a political boss disguised as a “businessman." Mahwah voters believe our town is a democracy and residents should cast their votes to keep it that way.

John F. Roth,
Council president