Race For Mayor Will Be Head-To-Head Battle

Two men will be vying for the position of mayor in Mahwah this November.

According to Township Clerk Kathy Coletta, two candidates – incumbent mayor Bill Laforet and challenger Ed Sinclair – filed petitions to run.  Both sets of petitions have been “checked and certified,” she said. No other candidates submitted petitions by the Tuesday deadline.

Laforet, who , said he wants to continue projects he began while in office this year. “I decided to run because we have more work to do,” he said. “We engaged the residents of this community and the results will speak for themselves. We as a community have achieved the lowest tax rate increase in 11 years, a 1.75% tax rate increase...We will continue to listen to residents and what matters to them the most, taxes and the quality of life.”

Sinclair, who , said he is looking forward to campaigning for a job that he’s always wanted, “and think I would do a good job at.” The 25-year DPW employee and volunteer township firefighter said his hope is “[not just to be] a mayor for the people, I’d be a mayor with the people. So, if I’m needed to run to drive an ambulance or a fire truck, or answer phones at town hall, or plow snow during a storm, that’s what I’ll do.” Sinclair said he is “excited and really looking forward to the next couple of months."

Previous mayor John DaPuzzo, who was and served as mayor until last November, , but said Wednesday he decided against it.

“Initially, I took out petitions because I wasn’t sure if anyone was going to contest our current mayor,” he said. “Then I found out Ed [Sinclair] would be running, and knowing him [and] what he stands for, I’ll be supporting him.”

Laforet and Sinclair will be vying for a four-year term in office. Each has set up a campaign website – www.teamlaforet.com and www.sinclairformayor.com.

Election Day will be Tuesday, November 6.

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