Cedar Grove's New Mayor Gets to Work

John Zunic assumed the reins at the first regular Cedar Grove Township Council meeting of his term as mayor Monday night. For the next year, he will wield the gavel, run council meetings and issue mayoral proclamations.

He also hopes to spend the next year looking into revising some township policies, building up the township piggy bank, and encouraging open communication with residents, the newly-minted mayor told Patch this week.

"We on the council are not all-knowing about the activities in the town. We all have day jobs and we can't possibly know about everything that's going on. The only way we can address anything is if residents come to the meetings and tell us about it. I welcome that interaction"

In just the past few months, Zunic, while serving as deputy mayor, played a part in some swift actions by the governing body, including the passage of the so-called "Animal House" ordinance, which looks to curtail rowdy renters; clarifying the township's definition of a restaurant and catering facility; and taking the owners of Pompton Avenue catering hall, The Grove, to task for their valets parking patrons' vehicles on side streets, garnering assurances that their valets will follow the rules, or be fired.

Each of these acts were precipitated by residents showing up at meetings and making their feelings known.

However, aside from occasional hot button issues that bring residents to meetings in droves, the attendance at council meetings in Cedar Grove is usually fairly sparse.

"It comes down to whether any controversial issues are on the agenda. The meetings around the deer hunt drew a full audience, last year's budget with proposed layoffs drew a full audience, when potentially closing the library was being discussed, we packed the house," he said.

"Anytime you have an issue that affects many residents then I think you see a full house. Otherwise it's quiet. I like to think that people are satisfied and that's why they're not coming."

Zunic, an attorney, is in the third year of his first term on the governing body. He serves as municipal prosecutor for the Borough of Fairview and the City of Passaic. He also has a private law practice out of Fairview, his hometown, where he practices criminal defense law.

"Since elementary school being a lawyer was always my career goal," Zunic said in an interview.

"I think I was just fascinated by the courtroom dramas on television. It caught my attention any time there was a trial on."

Zunic moved to Cedar Grove with his wife, Sabrina, in 1998. The couple have three children, Joseph, Niko and Daniella. Zunic said his run for public office was born out of a desire to be a part of the community he raises his family in.

"I guess in the back of my mind I always had a desire for public service. I just wanted to be involved. I was living in the town my three children were growing up in and I just wanted to be more active and involved in the community."

Zunic conceded that his wife initially had some concerns about him entering public service.

"You really put yourself out there whenever you hold elected office," he said.

When asked how he feels as the lone Democrat on a council entirely comprised of Republicans, even in a township with non-partisan political races, Zunic said he is unfazed.

"Those party issues don't really affect you at the local level. The council members are all residents, so we're all faced with the same issues. I like the non-partisan nature of the township government, because when people go to vote they're voting for the person they think will represent them fairly, not simply voting because somebody has a certain party affiliation."

As for what makes Cedar Grove such a great place to live, Zunic cited safety, family and community.

"I like the fact that it's such a family-oriented community. The fact that we have a police department that truly maintains law and order. Our emergency responders who do an excellent job keeping us safe, and the volunteer spirit of the community," he said.

"To me, it's just a great place for kids to grow up."