To the editor:
My husband and I enthusiastically support Ray Arroyo for Westwood’s next mayor. Incumbents Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchi have earned re-election by their proven service to our wonderful town.
Last year, when Ray’s council re-election was in limbo, I asked him to speak to our scouts for a project they were doing in citizenship. The boys had to interact with their local leaders, ask questions, and offer ideas for improving Westwood.
Ray said, “Bernadette, my opponent got more votes than me. I may not be an elected official much longer. Maybe you should ask the mayor or one of the other councilmembers.”
I told Ray that he will always be a leader in our community, and that he was our choice to speak to the kids. He came to our meeting and was fantastic.
Ray told the boys how lucky they were to live in Westwood. He compared it to the city where he’d grown up. His remarks were authentic and sincere. He didn’t talk to the boys like children. Ray took them through the words in the Scout Oath. He noted that “small words like duty and honor carry big adult meaning and responsibilities.” Ray told them that by just being scouts, and trying to live by these words, they were already making Westwood a better place to live.
Everyone who knows Ray Arroyo knows that he is kind, wise, diligent, and generous. He is universally respected by everyone he’s worked with, or helped, in town. And that includes people from both parties.
We urge our friends who are Democrats to set aside partisanship and vote for Westwood. Vote Ray Arroyo for mayor. Vote Beth Dell and Rob Bicocchi for Borough Council.
Bernadette and John Gehringer
Westwood
