Mayor Thanks Community, Businesses for Response to Sandy

To The Editor:

Our community has just experienced what some would call the “Storm of the Century.” Many residents had no heat, no power, no food, restaurants had two hour waits, ready to eat meals were hard to come by in grocery stores, and long gas lines. Who would have thought that we could have a storm of this magnitude a second time in just over a year? But nothing stopped Mahwah!  

I am so proud of the way our town came together. From , distributing soup and over 1,500 sandwiches all donated by local businesses, to the many pizza and pasta nights that were held; Trunk or Treat, Ramapo College warming center, churches, and temples, and of course Mahwah Elves and Plant Church who were amazing, and to the hundreds of volunteers who simply knocked on doors to check on one another. Mahwah exemplified the meaning of true community.  

While we were distributing 1,500 donated sandwiches, we had the chance to meet many wonderful people; among them, a young girl named Lauren and her parents. I said when “Lauren, grows up, if she will remember this day as a time when Mahwah gathered as a community, only then can we measure our success.”  I’m certain that today Lauren will tell you how great our community is, but it is my hope she will remember this for many years to come. The goal is to never forget what our community did for one another, and most importantly, to always be prepared.

I would like to personally extend my deep appreciation to the Mahwah Police Department, who opened up their doors and served as a home to so many.  In addition, thank you to the Township Officials, OEM, CERT, the Mahwah Fire Departments, Mahwah Ambulance Corps, DPW for their great efforts, and all of the local businesses. We couldn’t have done this without you.  

Special thanks to: 

• Mahwah Elves
• Plant Church
• Ramapo Reform Church
• Holy Cross Lutheran Church
• Beth Haverim Temple
• Ramapo College
• Senior Centre
• Roxanne’s
• Market Basket
• Lotito’s Bakery
• Mahwah Dairy Queen
• Mahwah Pizza Master
• Valero Service Stations
• Pilot Truck Stop
• DeMarino Trucking
• Cipriano Landscaping
• Ramapo Ridge Condominiums
• Mahwah Tree Service
• Mahwah PBA
• Mahwah Bagel

• State of NJ Police
• Mahwah Police Department
• Mahwah Fire Department
• Ambulance Corps
• OEM
• CERT
• DPW

Finally I want to thank each and every one of our Mahwah residents who shared same concerns during the time of devastation. Your support and understanding go above and beyond.

Together we are MAHWAH strong!

William C. Laforet

Mayor,

Township of Mahwah

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