PARK RIDGE—Two Democratic newcomers, Thomas Greco and Lynda Nettleship-Carraher (Park Ridge United), are challenging Republican incumbents Gregory Hoffman and Bruce Goldsmith (Preserve Park Ridge) for two open three-year council seats on Nov. 4.
Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this fall. Pascack Press reached out to all candidates to gather their views on key campaign themes and local issues. Montvale’s race is uncontested, with two Republican incumbents running unopposed, and River Vale has no council seats on the ballot.
Here’s a brief look at the Park Ridge candidates’ responses to our emailed questions. We asked about their campaign platforms and their views on deer management, Mill Pond, and the Robert Fisher Jr. school board recall referendum. (Fisher resigned after losing several legal challenges.)
The candidates at a glance:
Gregory Hoffman (R)
32-year resident; civil litigation attorney.
Served on borough council; pro bono counsel; Eagle Scout.
Bruce Goldsmith (R)
40-plus-year resident; married, two children.
Paraprofessional teacher’s aide; vice president, Goldsmith Studios.
Served on council for three years; PKRG-TV station manager and volunteer.
Thomas Greco (D)
Park Ridge native; married, two sons.
PRHS Class of 1994; returned to town in 2020.
Owner, Pop Empanada and That Supper Club.
Served on Planning Board and Recreation & Culture Committee.
Lynda Nettleship-Carraher (D)
12-year resident; married, three children.
Visual artist; former Disney and Nickelodeon artist.
Member, Zoning Board and Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Campaign platforms
Incumbent Greg Hoffman said his platform centers on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and preventing overdevelopment. He noted three consecutive years without a municipal tax increase, the addition of a dedicated traffic enforcement officer to enhance pedestrian safety, and continued efforts to push back against overdevelopment to preserve the borough’s “small-town feel.”
Incumbent Bruce Goldsmith said his platform shares Hoffman’s vision, emphasizing low taxes, fiscal responsibility, and open government.
Democratic challenger Thomas Greco said his campaign focuses on property taxes and quality of life. Under property taxes, he listed three priorities: securing grant funding for public safety, prioritizing infrastructure investment, and stabilizing taxes. His quality-of-life goals include expanding open space and recreation, creating a new community center, and ending “divisive politics.”
Nettleship-Carraher’s platform mirrored Greco’s priorities.
Views on deer population
Hoffman said the borough should “pursue safe, humane population-control strategies” that might include sterilization and, if necessary, culling. He added that the borough should continue public education on Lyme disease and vehicle safety, and explore shared services such as fencing and landscaping solutions.
Goldsmith said Pascack Valley towns should form a joint committee, with guidance from wildlife experts, to take an “incremental, informed approach” to an issue affecting North Jersey.
Greco said he favors a countywide effort combining sterilization, feeding bans, and education on deer-resistant planting. He opposes lethal control methods. Nettleship-Carraher agreed, opposing lethal methods and supporting education on deer-resistant plants and mitigation strategies.
Mill Pond public question
On Nov. 4, the local ballot will include three non-binding public questions about Mill Pond: whether to bond up to $5 million; up to $10 million; and whether to dredge the pond. The referendum will gauge public support for bonding and spending local funds to address the long-deteriorating pond.
Officials say that demonstrating local support could strengthen the borough’s chances of obtaining state or federal grants for dredging.
Hoffman said his focus was on crafting an “objective, clear” ballot question so voters can decide whether to dredge Mill Pond, with full cost options presented. He offered no opinion on the question and pledged to “fully respect” the voters’ decision.
Goldsmith said he supported the non-binding referendum as a way to give residents a direct voice on funding pond improvements. He added that the borough should work with neighboring towns to stabilize streambanks and reduce silt inflow to Mill Pond.
Greco said he supports the $10 million option as a “long-term solution.” He said doing nothing risks dam failure — a repair that could cost more than $30 million — and increases mosquito-borne health risks and the chance of toxins entering waterways. He said dredging protects both community health and finances.
Nettleship-Carraher said Mill Pond has collected silt that will eventually cause the dam to fail and said she favors investing up to $10 million as a long-term solution.
Editor’s note: 2024 dam testing downgraded the dam’s condition from satisfactory to fair, though it remains structurally sound. See “Mill Pond sediment testing OK’d; dredge question urged” by Michael Olohan, June 5, 2025, at PascackPress.com.
Fisher recall effort
Pascack Press asked candidates whether they supported the recall effort to remove school trustee Robert Fisher Jr. Fisher was accused of living out of state, missing repeated meetings, and not adequately representing residents. He resigned Sept. 19 after a Superior Court challenge failed to block the recall question from appearing on the Nov. 4 ballot. The board will soon select a replacement.
[In a farewell statement, Fisher said in part that he was “immensely grateful to God for the opportunity to serve our borough, a wonderful community in the greatest country on Earth.” — Ed.]
Hoffman and Goldsmith both noted Fisher’s resignation and said the council has no role in selecting his replacement. Goldsmith added that he hopes for a successor who ensures local children receive “the same high quality of education” his sons did in Park Ridge schools.
Greco said he supported the recall, citing Fisher’s continued absence and “failure to fully participate,” which he said hindered the board’s effectiveness. He also cited Fisher’s “disruptive antics” and lack of residency as distractions from community priorities.
Nettleship-Carraher said she supported the recall, criticizing Fisher for prioritizing “self-interest in politics above the concerns of local students.”