Longtime Councilman Announces Surprise Retirement

By Patch Editor Jessica Mazzola

What promised to be a quiet election year in local politics, won’t be.

At the close of a township council meeting Thursday night, longtime Mahwah volunteer and Councilman John Spiech announced he will be, “retiring from politics at the end of the month.”

Spiech declined to give a reason or comment on his seemingly unexpected decision to step down from his elected position, and just said he, “really enjoyed his time on the council.”

Spiech is stepping down about a year and five months before his four-year term is up.

Township officials said they would need to double check on the procedure to fill his now-vacant seat on the seven-member legislative body. But, they said the council will likely get the opportunity to appoint someone to the role who would serve until November, and then during the November election candidates would run to be elected to serve the one remaining year in Spiech’s term.

Though the council can appoint someone to the seat in the interim, officials said they likely will not be required to do that, and could leave the seat vacant until the election.

Spiech is stepping down after thirty-plus years of volunteering and civic work in the township. He has served on the township council, library board of trustees, housing commission, planning board, and other posts in Mahwah. Spiech has also been a longtime fireman in the township, and served as fire inspector.

Mayor Bill Laforet offered some insight on why Spiech might have decided to retire, saying the councilman will now, “[turn] his attention to his family and simply enjoying life.”

About Spiech, he said, “I am honored to have served with him and wish him nothing but happiness. Mahwah is a better place for John’s contribution.”

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