Politics & Government

Republican Club Restructures; To Hold Candidates Night

Event Wednesday will be open to members and other registered Republicans

Mahwah’s Republican Club has gone through a mid-year restructuring.

According to brand new club President Tracy Miceli, the reorganization was due to obligations of former office holders.

“Our immediate past president [County Freeholder] Rob Hermansen, is up for reelection this year, so he just didn’t have the time to commit,” she said. Hermansen is running for one of two open spots on the board along with fellow Repblican Margaret "Peg" Watkins and Democrats Steven Tanelli and Tracy Zur.

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Miceli said her focus for the rest of this year will be to “involve Mahwah residents more in the election process by being a forum for conversation and communication.”

The Republican Club also elected three other new officers, Carol Polack, Vice President; Bob Lockwood, Secretary; and Ben Kezmarsky, Treasurer. A release from the Club gave the following biographies for the new officers:

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Miceli is a lifelong Republican who moved to Mahwah in 2006. Prior to this, she served the Borough of Montvale for nine years in the following capacities: Planning Board Vice Chairman Councilwoman; County Committee Woman; Founding Member Economic Development Committee; Chairman of the Master Plan; Council Liaison to NJ Department of Community Affairs; Council Liaison to Administration; Council Liaison to the Department of Public Works; Chairman, Planning Board By-Laws Committee; Environmental Commission; and member of the Borough Hall Building Committee. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Ramapo Bergen Animal Rescue and the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival. She believes in the Republican principles that government should serve the people in as effective and efficient manner possible while protecting individual liberties. 

Polack has been active in the Mahwah Republican Club for over 10 years. She currently serves on the Bergen County Republican Committee and was instrumental in launching the Mahwah Tea Party. Carol has proven her passion for promoting conservative values through her volunteer efforts in many successful election campaigns by staffing the phones, poll watching, doing research, placing signs, stuffing envelopes, leading precinct walks,  soliciting donations, designing and distributing marketing materials, and developing websites.

Lockwood is a leader, business owner, and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the Information Technology services sector. His current organization is headquartered in Bergen County and provides staffing services locally, regionally, and nationally. He is an advocate for free speech and open government. A resident of Mahwah since 2000, he is an active contributor to the community who has coached more than 20 youth sports teams, including soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. He is also a citizen advocate for municipal issues. His advocacy can be followed on “Who Cares; Mahwah,” www.facebook.com/whocares.nj.mahwah.

Kezmarsky is a lifelong resident of Mahwah and a proud member of the Republican Party. He believes in good, honest, fiscally conservative government and has been involved in a number of successful County and local races. A technologist by trade, he strongly believes in organizing and messaging through the use of the Internet and social media. Having been involved in campaigns where his team was outspent 10 to 1, he has a detailed understanding of and passion for “Get Out the Vote” efforts and voter engagement through positive messaging.

According to Miceli, the club has “40 members and growing. We are always looking for involved and engaged members.” The four new officers will serve for a one-year term, Miceli said.

The Mahwah Republican Club will meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month at beginning in October. Those interested in more information about the Club can visit the group’s website, or email tracy@mahwahgop.com.

According to the group’s website, it is already starting to work on Micelli’s goals. The Mahwah Republican Club will host a ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the . According to the site, Republican candidates running for county and municipal offices will speak at the event. The event is open to members of the club and local registered Republicans.

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