HILLSDALE—Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4, and Pascack Press reached out to candidates for their views on key themes and local issues. Montvale’s race is uncontested, with two incumbent Republicans unchallenged, and River Vale has no local seats on the ballot this year.
Hillsdale’s Council election pits Republicans Anthony DeRosa (a former councilman) and Louis Casale against Democrats Christopher Camp and Gabriella Ianni for two open seats. (Incumbents Justin Fox and Janetta Trochimiuk, both Republicans, did not seek new terms.)
Here is a summary of responses to our emailed questions. DeRosa and Casale replied individually; Camp and Ianni responded jointly. First, their bios:
Candidate bios (as provided)
- Anthony DeRosa (R) — 45-year resident; 10 years on council; 30-year marketing/communications professional; former baseball/softball coach; married, father of two.
- Louis Casale (R) — 8-year resident; married, two children; director, Global Inside Sales (technology sector); vice president, Youth Soccer Association; active in sports programs and community events.
- Christopher Camp (D) — Leads Financial Data Assurance at a Fortune 500 company (transparency, accuracy, efficiency focus); nine-year resident; son in public school; Stonybrook Pool Commissioner; T-ball head coach; County Committee.
- Gabriella Ianni (D) — Radio/record label executive with 22+ years of leadership/management; 6-year resident; married, three children; volunteer (Young Neighbors in Action, NYC AIDS Walk, Music Industry Mentor); recreation and travel soccer coach; Smith Elementary parent volunteer; advocate for inclusion and equity.
Campaign priorities
- Anthony DeRosa (R) — DeRosa said his platform centers on controlling taxes while delivering substantive improvements; saving money through grants and shared services; and increasing public safety with funding for school safety officers, firefighting equipment, and improved cell service on the East Side. He also cites maintaining strong DPW and infrastructure services, “preserving Hillsdale’s charm” with refreshed sidewalks/storefronts, and improving recreational facilities with modest investments and regular maintenance.
- Louis Casale (R) — Casale lists transparency and communication, fiscal responsibility, and community investment (parks, recreation, youth programs) as priorities, along with balancing smart development while preserving the borough’s small-town character.
- Christopher Camp & Gabriella Ianni (D) — Running as a team, Camp (Stonybrook Pool Commissioner) and Ianni (parent volunteer at Ann Blanche Smith Elementary School) say their ticket is based on “community first.” They pledge to support small businesses, build stronger school partnerships, and open up local government to expand resident involvement. They emphasize transparency, opportunity, engagement, and fiscal responsibility “so Hillsdale can thrive as one community.”
Deer management
- DeRosa: Calls it a regional issue given cross-town impacts. Hillsdale has committed to a thermal imaging scan to size herds and locations. He said lethal options are not desirable due to proximity to homes.
- Casale: Noted more generally that quality of life and safety are core concerns (see priorities above).
- Camp/Ianni: Cite an estimated ~30% annual growth in the herd, raising accidents, Lyme risk, and property damage. They urge a unified, coordinated regional approach, saying Hillsdale “won’t make progress” acting alone and pledging to help facilitate multi-town discussions.
Self-storage proposal in the redevelopment zone
- DeRosa: Said his view has evolved. “At first, it concerned me. After speaking with several professionals, I learned that after opening, storage units cause very little disruptive day-to-day activity. Typically, developers pay a town to build a storage unit in lieu of building more affordable housing units. Given that, and compared to other scenarios, it’s a viable alternative.”
- Casale: Concerned about traffic, safety, and fit with town character, but recognizes potential tax revenue without burdening schools—“worth careful consideration.”
- Camp/Ianni: Note the facility has been approved and say it can ease the tax burden without adding pressure to schools or borough services. They stress keeping residents informed and engaged through the process.
Memorial Field plan ($5.8 million)
- DeRosa: Supportive. Said he previously favored investing in Centennial Field (existing lighting, less dense area); when that stalled, Memorial was the next viable site. “No doubt the cost is high, but I feel it’s a needed investment.”
- Casale: Supports the upgrade, calling quality fields “essential” to community life. Adds the project must proceed with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on long-term value so benefits justify the cost.
- Camp/Ianni: Note the project is moving forward; say the focus should be on real benefits to families, listening to resident feedback, balancing priorities across parks, and open communication so “everyone feels this is an investment for the community as a whole.”
Editor’s note: Candidate responses were provided by email and edited for AP style, clarity, and length.