MONTVALE—Two themes appeared to stand out in both the incumbent Republican and challenging Democratic mayoral candidates’ campaign literature: development and community.
Both candidates have their own views on the topics, and how those views and others resonate with voters over a short campaign may affect the fall council election on Nov. 7.
The Montvale race features two-term incumbent Republican Mayor Michael Ghassali, versus former Democratic councilwoman Elizabeth Gloeggler.
Ghassali is joined on his ticket by council incumbents Theresa Cudequest and Douglas Arendacs.
Gloeggler is joined on her ticket by newcomers Allison Barnes and Daniel Galeon.
Gloeggler, on council 2017–2019, told us, “When I decided to run for mayor, I met with residents and listened to their ideas and concerns. I’ve heard a few common themes. Our residents care about building community and want to see more town events that bring people together. They are tired of the endless development with no plan for open space, safer intersections, less traffic or more sidewalks.”
She said residents “want their town government to work with the county and state to bring resources to Montvale. They want their elected and appointed officials to reflect and represent our diverse community. Our residents want to make sure Montvale is a welcoming and inclusive town where all voices have a seat at the table. I am running to make sure all these voices are heard.”
Gloeggler and Ghassali clashed at the borough’s first “Pride in the Park” celebration, in June 2021, after State Sen. Holly Schepisi (39th District), a guest of Ghassali but not the volunteer organizing committee, spoke at the event.
See “Clash with senator leads to ouster, but Pride event otherwise celebrates,” Michael Olohan, June 28, 2021, Pascack Press online.
Gloeggler was also indirectly involved in a 2022 dispute over Ghassali overriding citizen volunteers in disinviting an award-winning Black filmmaker to read a children’s book to kids at the library during Black History Month.
(See “Mayor’s apology undelivered; Ghassali had a message for filmmaker; Diversity and Inclusion Committee budget up, no members,” Michael Olohan, April 8, 2022, Pascack Press.)
Gloeggler told us, “I have called Montvale home for most of my life. When my husband and I were looking for a place to raise our two little kids, we knew Montvale was the place. We bought our dream house in 2011.”
She said, “I am so lucky to have a job I love. As the CEO for Literacy New Jersey, I get to see people transform their lives. I see a dad read to their child for the first time or a mom get their high school diploma. I truly believe in the power of literacy.”
Ghassali’s platform
On his campaign poster, Ghassali notes he is Fighting For Montvale Every Day! and lists seven bullet points, including “managed controlled and smart development” and “land acquisition for Montvale residents’ use.”
Other bullet points included: transparent and prompt information-sharing philosophy; open line of communication with neighboring communities in New Jersey and New York; made public safety a priority; increased revenue by $3 million annually; and affordable housing pause and assess forward strategy.
As a former councilman and two-term mayor, Ghassali’s tenure has overseen development of Shoppes at DePiero Farm; a major retail, office and residential development at North Market (the former Mercedes Benz property); and a multifamily, inclusionary development on the former Sony property.
Montvale has also welcomed major new tenants to town including Sloan-Kettering and Valley Health to occupy office space that had become vacant.
Moreover, the borough has acquired a 28.4-acre property at 127 Summit Ave. and recently more than 8 acres of DePiero Farm property, for future recreational and community uses, saving both properties from development, Ghassali has said.
The mayor’s campaign poster highlights his roles as the business administrator in Hillsdale (since February 2023); a former FBI language analyst/interviewer; former vice president, Feed The Children; an entrepreneur/business owner; 30 years of executive management experience; and a former two-term councilman.
“In the past 14 years as a councilman and as mayor, I’ve built an extensive network of contacts and met with leaders at the state, the county, and surrounding towns in New Jersey and New York, even with international leaders to benefit Montvale,” Ghassali said.
“I worked with and appointed volunteers on different boards and commissions from both Republicans and Democrats, and proved that I am a mayor for everyone with my actions and my results. I will continue to work every day for the betterment of our town. I love being the mayor and love and enjoy helping residents where I can.”
Republican Council Incumbents
Theresa Cudequest and Douglas Arendacs are running for reelection to council.
Cudequest, a 35-year resident, served from 2011 to 2015 on council, and on the Planning Board from 2019 to 2021.
Cudequest listed her priorities: community safety, “control of overdevelopment”; and tighter traffic regulations on main roads, cut-through streets and around schools.
Cudequest was a member of Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps for 21 years.
She stepped off the Planning Board in December 2021 when she was appointed by council to fill former councilwoman Rose Curry’s position, who passed soon after. She was elected to fill Curry’s unexpired term in 2022.
Cudequest told us, “With the current growth in town, both residential and commercial, it’s important to me that our emergency services can continue to provide excellent care to our residents and business partners (and) that our police department has the man-power needed to keep our town safe and secure.”
Arendacs, a two-term councilman and decadelong resident, said his council priorities include pedestrian and vehicular safety, and “keeping Montvale’s roadways and walkways safe.”
As a Rochelle Park police sergeant, Arendacs prioritizes community safety there and as a local councilman. He currently serves as deputy police commissioner and DPW liaison here, noting he’s always looking to see where stop signs may be down or less visible, and hopes to make traffic more efficient, as well as less traffic.
Arendacs said he likes to hear from residents, and serves on the mayor’s advisory board that takes the “pulse of residents” at quarterly meetings. He said that overdevelopment was an issue, and said he favored a “pause” in the state’s affordable housing obligations set to restart in 2025.
“I applaud that,” he said of a legislative effort to pause affordable housing. He said he hoped to be reelected for a third term, and continue “what I can do to better my community. I feel good about what we’re doing for the town right now,” he added.
Democratic Council Challengers
Challengers Allison Barnes and Daniel Galeon are hoping to unseat the incumbents.
Barnes, a 20-year resident, is a field learning strategy manager for Dunkin’ Brands. She has not held elected office.
She told Pascack Press, “My main motivation for running for the council is the desire for Montvale to be a community where all residents feel comfortable, safe, and welcome — a place where we can learn from each others’ differences and celebrate each other.”
Barnes said, “I believe that having different voices and opinions is how we can continue to represent everyone in town, especially as our town develops and we welcome new residents to our community.”
Daniel Galeon, a five-year resident, is a technology executive who has served on the Democratic County Committee.
A first-generation Filipino-American, Galeon has served on three not-for-profit boards that focus on underrepresented youth and young professionals. He said he is an avid supporter of Christian Democrats of America.
“I pledge to fight to ensure the residents and businesses move forward through an Empowerment and Community-Centered Agenda: a set of policies and values to strengthen our diverse and growing town,” he told us.
His website details four priorities: sustainable growth; equitable education; pedestrian safety; and improved and accessible shared spaces.
Under “Sustainable Growth,” Galeon notes, “Montvale residents deserve to be the first to know of proposed and upcoming developments in our town.”
He pledges to work together with the residents and businesses of Montvale to “effectively prioritize key developments that include a contribution back to the town of Montvale (e.g. park, community center); host community and multidisciplinary roundtables to ensure feedback and concerns are collected and received by the mayor and council; and provide ongoing support for existing businesses in partnership with local chamber of commerce and other community-based organizations.”
He also says he’ll “ensure effective and transparent reporting on all decisions in partnership with the local planning and zoning boards.”
