PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Mayor Keith Misciagna seeks a new four-year term this Election Day, but is challenged by a Republican County Committeeman for the leadership role.
Voters will choose between incumbent Misciagna and nominee William R. Fenwick on Tuesday, Nov. 5. They will also elect two councilmembers from four nominees to serve three-year terms on the borough council.
Democratic Council Incumbents Kelly Epstein and Robert C. Metzdorf and Republican nominees John Cozzi and Joshua A. Nathanson will be profiled in an upcoming Pascack Press feature. This feature will focus exclusively on the two candidates for mayor.
We invited candidates to submit a 250-word statement outlining their backgrounds and issues that are of importance to them; they appear in alphabetical order by last name. Asterisks denote incumbents.
William R. Fenwick
—Party: Republican
—Age: 31.
—Years of residency in town: 28.
—Career:
Attorney.
—Degrees and certifications: New York Law School, Juris Doctorate; Ramapo College of New Jersey, bachelor of science in political
science.
—Family: Single.
—Elected experience: Republican County Committeeman.
I am a lifelong resident of Park Ridge, a graduate of Park Ridge High School, and an attorney. I decided to run for mayor of Park Ridge to fight for the preservation of our community and its values. Over the past several years relentless tax increases have made it unaffordable for many of our residents to remain in Park Ridge while overdevelopment and urbanization have threatened our school system with a dramatic increase in our town’s population. It is time for a change in leadership!
When elected I will strive to bring tax relief to our town’s residents. I will continue to oppose all efforts by developers and special interests to urbanize our town. As an attorney with experience in commercial and municipal law, I will promote Park Ridge as a great place to do business and will work towards bringing commercial enterprises back to our corporate park. Over the past 10 years, I have been a strong public advocate for the rights of the people of Park Ridge and I am committed to keeping our community a great place to raise a family. If chosen to be your mayor I will always place Park Ridge and its residents first!
—William Fenwick
Keith Misciagna*
— Party: Democratic.
— Age: 56.
—Years of residency in town: 27.
—Career: Business agent, IBEW.
—Degrees and certifications: Bachelor of science in economics, SCSU.
—Family: Married to Desiree; sons Keith Jr. and Ryan; daughter Ashley.
—Elected experience: Park Ridge councilman (two terms), Park Ridge Council President, Mayor (one term).
I’d like to begin by thanking the residents of Park Ridge for giving me the Honor of serving our community as its Mayor. I have always tried to give back to my community in any way I can. I’ve served as a coach, utility board vice president, Bergen County Planning Board member, PRAA and rec volunteer, Park Ridge Planning Board member, to name a few.
Since being elected mayor I have been one of the most vocal opponents of the shameful way that greedy developers are using builder remedy lawsuits to force towns into overdevelopment.
My first act as mayor was to hire an entire new team of professional to help us in this fight and almost three years later we are in a much better position to stop forced overdevelopment in our town.I have testified in Trenton before the NJ State Affordable Committee on why this needs to be stopped. I have continually worked with both Democrats and Republican alike on this issue and will work with anyone who will help our cause.
After years of preparation we are now in a critical time in this battle as we go to court to stop nearly 1000 units from being forced upon us. The Park Ridge governing body is united in this effort and we are committed to seeing it through to a successful conclusion.
I ask for your vote to allow me to finish this fight for residents of Park Ridge. Please vote Misciagna, Metzdorf and Epstein.
—Keith Misciagna
Sample Ballot
