Recall Laforet Signs Stolen, Committee Says

MAHWAH, NJ — Recall Laforet signs continue to be stolen from public property, according to a group running a campaign to recall Mayor William Laforet.

Twelve of the group's signs were illegally removed recently, said Melanie Sue, a member of the Committee To Recall Mayor William Laforet.

Another 14 signs placed on Ridge Road ahead of the Thunderbird Run Sunday were also stolen, Sue said.

"This is indicative of how the mayor and his supporters are constantly trying to suppress free speech," Sue said.

The committee has collected more than half of the 4,150 signatures required to put a special question on the Nov. 6 local election ballot, Sue said.

The "yes or no" question would simply ask voters whether Laforet should be recalled.

Laforet said he could not talk when reached by a reporter Monday afternoon.

Laforet's seven years holding the town's highest elected office have been controversial.

Laforetbacked, and later distanced himself from an ordinance banning non-New Jerseyans from using township parks and for speaking to the press about the ordinance when he was urged not to.

The Town Council cast a vote of no confidence in him in September — the second such vote cast against him as mayor.

The first recall campaign against Laforet was conducted in 2015, but the group running it ceased campaigning because there was not enough time to get the required number of signatures.

That group claimed Laforet allegedly did not abide by municipal statutes regarding the opening of an ice rink, circumvented the Town Council's authority and inappropriately fired then-DPW Director Ed Sinclair, among other accusations.

"No matter how much of a response we get we will continue gathering signatures until the deadline," Sue said.

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Photo: Recall Laforet signs thrown on the ground. (Courtesy of Committee to Recall Mayor William Laforet)