BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Mayor Frank Huttle III—who is leaving his post at the helm of city government on Jan. 7—was given a surprise party at El Tango restaurant on Dec. 16, 2018, in Englewood.
The reception was attended by several hundred people who had come to honor Huttle for his nine years of service. A horde of officials and community leaders congratulated the man of the hour, including former Englewood Mayors Sandy Greenberg and Steve Rothman, Councilwoman Katharine Glynn, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton and his wife Natalie, and Englewood Police Department Chief Lawrence Suffern.
Longtime friend and colleague, Phil Meisner, who works with Huttle at his law firm and ran against Mayor-elect Michael Wildes in a June Democratic Primary, served as emcee of the evening.
During the festivities, Huttle was presented with an engraved bowl. Congratulatory speeches were made by Greenberg and former Englewood Council President Lynne Algrant.
Guests also signed a large poster board with a photo of Huttle. Katharine Glynn wrote, “Passionate Fearless and Steadfast.” Chris Hillman, a councilman from Hasbrouck Heights, signed it with the tribute, “A gentleman and a scholar.”
Huttle was delighted with the party and with his award. He relished his terms in office and assured everyone that as a resident he will continue to serve the city.
“I love Englewood and our diversity adds to the fabric of our one community,” he said.
Valerie Vainieri Huttle—who continues to serve in the New Jersey State Assembly—summed up her husband’s devotion to Englewood. She cited the well-known adage that “You should leave your work at the office,” but said that Frank didn’t do that.
“He was involved and concerned about the community all the time and answered his phone at the office and at home,” she said. “He was the Mayor of Englewood 24/7!”