WOODCLIFF LAKE—A victorious incumbent Democratic councilwoman and her running mate were sworn in on Jan. 6 to the Borough Council and welcomed warmly by Republican Mayor Carlos Rendo.
The meeting was remote, due to the pandemic.
Reelected incumbent Jacqueline Gadaleta begins her ninth year on the council, bringing in newcomer Jennifer Margolis. The two defeated Republican challengers Michael Casale and Dianna Cereijo in the Nov. 2, 2021 General Election. The votes: Margolis 1,353, Gadaleta 1,336, Casale 1,149, and Cereijo 1,104.
Gadaleta and Margolis join Democrats Angela Hayes, Josephine Higgins, and Richard Schnoll on the six-member council. Stephen Falanga is the lone Republican council member.
The next council meeting is Monday, Jan. 24.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey 5th Congressional District, backed by Bergen County commissioners Tracy Zur and Tom Sullivan, swore in Gadaleta. Zur swore in Margolis.
Gottheimer praised Gadaleta for her years of public service after being elected to the council in 2012 and for keeping her focus on Woodcliff Lake.
“As a councilwoman, Jacquie is always fighting to help support and promote our first responders — by helping them receive countless equipment and safety upgrades, like a brand new fire truck,” said Gottheimer. “She works with the town’s Parks and Recreation program, where she has helped maintain the best pool in Bergen County, organized the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and menorah, and helped plan the Woodcliff Lake Oktoberfest and Springfest.”
Gottheimer also said Gadaleta “aims to finish the town’s Master Plan and complete the Bipartisan Causeway Beautification project, so that Woodcliff Lake remains a great community to raise a family and retire in.”
He said, “She wants to establish a memorial park at the Galaxy Gardens location, recognizing all of our veterans and first responders, who protect us every day. And she aims to make sure all her endeavors are fiscally sound and responsible.”
He added, “No project is too large or too small for Jacquie.”
Bringing her experience from many years working in the financial field and from her time at the Woodcliff Lake School District, Gadaleta is the longest-serving member of the council.
She was sworn in with her husband, Peter, holding the Bible. They have two daughters.
“It is beyond an honor and a pleasure to have you swear me in,” Gadaleta told Gottheimer.
Gadaleta thanked many people for their help over the years, including the mayor, whom she once challenged, noting that Rendo has always showed her respect on the council and that she has always returned the same.
Rendo said Gadaleta has always been “very gracious.” He noted “One of the signs of a great councilperson is longevity.”
Rendo welcomed Margolis to the council by appointing her to the Parks and Recreation Committee. He thanked her for sacrificing personal and family time for the community and advised, “Don’t take your foot off the pedal.”
He also said he would assign Margolis as liaison with Suez North America to help advance the long-planned 1.5-mile Woodcliff Lake Nature Trail.
In the primary and general election campaign, supporters noted Margolis has lived in Woodcliff Lake for many years. She has two children in the Woodcliff Lake school system and has spent many years working for both the City of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
She campaigned as a member of Woodcliff Lake’s Master Plan Committee and member of the board of Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy.
Margolis thanked Zur, “a role model and friend”; her parents, for pushing her to get involved in politics; and her husband and two children, for their many sacrifices.
Referring to Zur’s county efforts against food insecurity, Margolis said, “I hope I too can make such a difference.”
Resident Donna Abene, a former local school trustee and a founding member of Women Empowered Democratic Organization (WEDO), presented Margolis and Gadaleta certificates of achievement from her organization.
Resident Loren Monosov called in, she said, to “offer strength to the the town council for all the work they do together in the coming year.” She added that she wished them all “great success and only peace and happiness.””
