WESTWOOD—Nine area mayors and a new councilwoman headlined the annual Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce mayors breakfast at The Tavern at The Iron Horse in Westwood on Jan. 24, delivering updates on infrastructure projects, economic development, and community engagement.
At the event, the chamber—which supports 10 towns—honored its longtime member and chamber advocate Robin Malley, a Realtor and broker-sales representative for Friedberg Properties & Associates, River Vale. (See “Chamber honors Robin Malley, ‘an inspiration’” on page 6.)
State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) spoke as well, urging the mayors to speak out on fast-tracking of affordable housing measures. (See “Schepisi alerts mayors on faster low-income housing gains,” page 10.)
The event, graced by an all-you-can-eat buffet-style breakfast, featured updates from first-time mayors James Koth of Oradell, Tom Gallagher of Old Tappan, and Michael Sheinfield of Hillsdale.
Also serving updates, and some zingers, were Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali, Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari, River Vale Mayor Mark Bromberg, Emerson Mayor Danielle DiPaola, and Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo; and Westwood Councilmember Lauren Letizia, subbing for Mayor Ray Arroyo.
The chamber says Oradell and Old Tappan are included in the “greater” Pascack Valley “due to their proximity and socio-economic similarities to the other towns.”
Separately, the eight mayors in Pascack Press’s circulation area constitute the Pascack Valley Mayors Association, which meets to lobby on solutions to issues facing this part of Bergen County. Ray Arroyo is the PVMA’s president this year.
Highlights from the chamber’s breakfast session follow, inside this issue and our editions of Feb. 12.