Town's Response To Mayoral Recall Is 'Overwhelmingly Positive'

MAHWAH, NJ — The response from residents to a grassroots effort to recall Mayor William Laforet has been "overwhelmingly positive," the group said Wednesday.

The Committee to Recall Mayor William Laforet has until the beginning of July to collect the 4,150 signatures, 25 percent of the registered voters in town, it needs to place a special question on the Nov. 6 ballot.

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

"The community involvement and response to the recall efforts have been overwhelmingly positive and that is an indication that we are doing the right thing," said Melanie Sue, a member of the recall committee. "Just as there will be council elections in November, we should also have the ability to vote for a new mayor."

Even Laforet's neighbors are interested in the recall campaign, which Sue said, "speaks to how important it is to get this question on the November ballot.

"If he can't get along with his neighbors, how can he effectively represent an entire town?" Sue asked.

Sue said seven of the group's "recall Laforet" signs have been stolen. Police reports were filed regarding the thefts.

Laforet has had a controversial seven years in office. He backed, 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 Laforet 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.

Laforet did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

For more information regarding the recall campaign, visit the committee's website and Facebook pages.

Related: Mahwah Council Casts Vote Of No Confidence In Mayor Laforet
Related: Mahwah Resident Announces Mayoral Recall Effort

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Image: Mayor William Laforet/Patch file photo