RIDGEWOOD, NJ — While the focus on Nov. 3 will be on the Congressional midterm elections, several North Jersey towns including Ridgewood are seeing contested races for local government.
In Ridgewood, four candidates are running in a non-partisan election for two seats on the five-member Village Council.
Every two years, the council members choose a mayor from among themselves.
New Jersey's voter registration deadline for the election is Oct. 13. Early voting in New Jersey runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.
Those competing for the four seats are:
Patch is running profiles submitted by candidates via a form. Below are candidate Evan Weitz's biographical details and answers to two questions, verbatim.
Check Ridgewood Patch for the other candidate profiles, and sign up to receive our free newsletter full of daily news each morning here.
Profile: Hyunju Kwak
Age: 53
Government/volunteer jobs: Ridgewood Board of Education past President and member, two terms from 2020 to 2024
Current job: Business Owner and Private Investor
Education: MBA from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and BA magna cum laude from Brown University
Volunteering: Co-founder of Ridgewood Lunar Festival, Co-founder of Ridgewood AAPI Alliance, Board President, New Jersey Asian-American non-profit
Family: Married with kids
Length of time in town: Purchased our first home in Ridgewood in 2003
Longer Questions
1.What do you think are the biggest problems facing your electorate right now, and how do you hope to help solve them?
Ridgewood is a vibrant community, and I am stepping up because I want to bring my professional experience and record of public service to help keep Ridgewood affordable, safe and focused on residents first.
These priorities are connected in terms of sustainability, capacity, and safety. Sustainability begins with responsible fiscal management: funding essential municipal services, keeping Ridgewood affordable, and avoiding excessive borrowing that handicaps future budgets. I worked as an analyst at an investment bank and I've served two terms as an elected member of the Ridgewood Board of Education. The school budget is about double the municipal budget, and I will bring a track record of fiscal discipline to make sure our budget puts residents' needs first.
A top priority includes supporting a thriving downtown, the heartbeat of our community. My experience managing investments in Special Improvement Districts can be useful in strengthening downtown. Capacity means ensuring that development respects the vision and principles of our Master Plan and accounts for the demands on our infrastructure and municipal services. Safety means reducing flood risks in our neighborhoods and on our playing fields, while making our streets safer for everyone.
I will work to turn these priorities into practical action, keeping residents informed about decisions every step of the way.
2. Why do you believe you're the most qualified person for the spot?
I am a pragmatic problem-solver with a record of serving Ridgewood. My MBA from Wharton and my professional background gave me a strong foundation to apply that know-how to public service. As an elected official on the Ridgewood Board of Education, I learned the importance of listening, and how to manage large public budget responsibly and work together to practical solutions. For example, I helped guide the school budget to keep school tax increases at or below 2% every year while adding programming. Our school rankings improved to #4 from #16 when I started too!
I am stepping up again to keep Ridgewood affordable, safe and responsible to residents first. Ridgewood is a welcoming, inclusive Village with a terrific quality of life, and I want to do my part to keep Ridgewood a place where you come for the schools and stay for the community.
More About The Race
Each term is four years, with elections held in staggered years. Read about the Village Council here.
Are you running or have a letter or release share? Here's how to post candidate releases and letters on any local Patch.
See the New Jersey voter information portal and election timelines here.
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