Politics & Government

Mahwah Business Owner Announces Candidacy For Mayor

Sunoco owner Bill Laforet will run in November

Bill Laforet, a self-described “lifelong Mahwah resident” publicly announced his candidacy for Mayor of Mahwah at a campaign kickoff event Monday night.

“I love the town, I just think we need a new approach when it comes to our leadership,” said Laforet, who has owned the gas station on the corner of Franklin Turnpike and Miller Road for over 30 years.

Laforet, who has been a member of the township’s Board of Adjustment for the past year and a half and the since its inception, says there are three major issues that prompted him to run for the position this November.

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“There is no doubt that will be a central issue to this election, but I also feel that the fiscal leadership of the township and the leaders of the town reaching out to, embracing and addressing the needs of the residents are important issues as well,” he said.

Laforet feels that his history in the town – both he and his wife, and all of their children, graduated from Mahwah schools – and his experiences in business, will allow him to be a “pro-active” mayor if elected.

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“I think Mahwah needs to start thinking about long-term solutions and implications of decisions, instead of being reactive,” he said.

At the kickoff event, Laforet explained how he will use integrated social media outlets to spread his campaign slogans – “Join Team Laforet” and “Mahwah First.”

Last week, current Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio to run for Mayor this November. The candidates will run for a one-year term that will finish out the term originally filled by the late Mayor Richard Martel who . Another election will be held in November 2012.


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