Vergano Said He Was 'Surprised' To Hear Miller Ryan Is Challenging Him

WAYNE, N.J. — Mayor Chris Vergano said he was “surprised” to hear Lonni Miller Ryan announce her intention to run for mayor — especially since she signed Vergano’s nominating petition — a petition she said is invalid.

Vergano said he will be running on his “10 years of accomplishments” as mayor and “let the voters decide” in the June 6 primary election.

That track record includes securing millions of dollars in federal grant money to purchase flood-zoned homes, lowering taxes last year and leading efforts to redevelop several underdeveloped parts of town, including the Wayne Towne Center and the Wayne Hills Mall.

RELATED: Wayne Receives $14.3M To Buyout Flood-Zone Homes

Ryan said she wants to address those issues, along with the township’s plan for meeting the state’s affordable housing mandate and finding ways to combat the town’s “drug crisis.”

Vergano has co-sponsored community meetings with the police department and school district educating parents about drug trends among middle and high school students.

Miller Ryan wants the town's response to flooding improved, especially in the wake of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. Emergency responder and national guardsmen evacuated residents, but a shelter was not in place immediately following Irene, something Vergano and the Council were heavily criticized for.

One point of contention between Vergano and the Township Council and residents in recent years was a plan to rezone Wayne and improve the town’s ratable base. The plan was announced in August 2013, the last year Vergano ran for office.

RELATED: Residents Criticize Wayne Development Plan

The plan called for redeveloping and rezoning of several vacant and underutilized properties, including the Wayne Hills Mall. Vergano tabled the plan after immediate resistance from the Township Council and residents.

“I’m glad we were able to stop that plan and place some businesses in some empty spaces,” Miller Ryan said. "I feel we need to be more proactive in our attempts to attract and retain businesses. To me, waiting for developers and businesses to come to us, isn't enough."

Invalid Petition

Miller Ryan claims Vergano's petition is invalid because it was circulated without having the line designation listed on it. She said Vergano brought the petition to a caucus meeting in December.

"I and others there raised the issue with him then," Miller Ryan said.

The Wayne Regular Republican Organization will name designees Feb. 28. Miller Ryan said that, "any petitions circulated before then are void."

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