WOODCLIFF LAKE—A new borough recreation director and special events coordinator started Oct. 24 after being hired by a 5-0 Borough Council vote at the Oct. 17 meeting. Councilman Steven Falanga was absent from the meeting.
John P. Patterson Jr., of Secaucus, was hired for $59,5000 annually to fill the open recreation position. The salary range listed was $30,000 to $60,000, with full-time benefits.
The former director, Danielle McLeer, resigned during the summer.
Borough administrator Tom Padilla said that Patterson had just met with all the local sports associations and was making sure that they had all the support they needed from the town.
He said Patterson would be working on annual celebrations such as Octoberfest, Community Day, and holiday events including the menorah and Christmas tree lighting events.
Patterson’s resume notes he was a police dispatcher in Bogota, with much prior and extensive experience in event planning and marketing. He also served as a member of the Demarest Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Patterson was employed as a freelance media management associate with Major League Baseball Network in 2019 and 2020; a production coordinator with Drape Kings, North Bergen in 2018 and 2019; and director of communications and promotions for Rockland Boulders Baseball in 2017 and 2018.
He also had served as on air talent and producer for WFDU-FM in Teaneck; an event coordinator for State Fair Event Management, Belleville; and a public address announcer/game day director for Newark Bears Professional Baseball from 2008 to 2013.
He also is a professional emcee, DJ, and manager with Dynamic Entertainment, Northvale, since 2002.
Under the supervision of the borough administrator, the rec director is responsible for “the development, implementation and promotion of activities and community events within the borough as well as the main point of contact to our sport/recreation associations,” states the job description.
The director is also responsible for managing and maintaining recreation facilities, including allocating field time; budget and fiscal management; capital and long-range planning; oversight of the municipal pool vendor contract; and hiring staff and oversight of a summer camp program.
The job also involves “supporting other administrative and municipal communication functions” and working with the “very active senior association” to facilitate programs and events.