NORTHERN VALLEY—Among the 21 North Jersey residents recognized as Hometown Heroes by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer on July 18 were four familiar names from the Northern Valley: Joseph Bianco of Closter, Barry Wood of Harrington Park, Robert Tracy of Norwood, and Lisa Blumer of Teaneck.
Each was celebrated at the Fifth District Hometown Heroes Ceremony, held at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, for extraordinary service to their communities in the Legislative Fifth District — from lifesaving generosity to public leadership and tireless advocacy. The event honored first responders, veterans, volunteers, and local leaders whose everyday efforts help strengthen the fabric of North Jersey life.
“If you tune in to cable or go onto social media, there is far more attention these days on what’s going wrong with America, and far too little attention on what’s going right. But then, stories crop up here and there of a firefighter rescuing a young girl from a burning building, or a high school athlete reassuring kids just like him that not even cancer can stop your dreams,” said Gottheimer in a release shared with Northern Valley Press on July 18.
He added, “You realize that we just don’t spend enough time showcasing all of the good that happens every day — not enough time recognizing what it means to be a great citizen in the greatest country in the world.”
Local recipients
Gottheimer shared the following in bestowing honors…
Joseph Bianco, Closter — Joe is the chairman of the Closter Zoning Board of Adjustment, where he has served for more than 30 years and has never missed a single meeting. He previously served Closter as a Councilman in 1978 and 1981, and as mayor from 1983 to 1986. Joe has spent decades helping shape the development of North Jersey’s neighborhoods and business districts. Joe has played a critical role in securing funding for the Closter Senior Citizens Center, renovating the Closter Borough Hall, creating a new Lewis Street extension, and helping to establish Temple Emanuel’s new home.
Barry Wood, Harrington Park — Barry has spent 17 years with the Harrington Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps, serving as crew chief, committee chair, and twice as corps president. Through his work as an EMT, Barry has responded to more than a thousand emergency calls and helped save countless lives. From being a Borough councilman to being a recreation commissioner, and a member of the Planning Board and the Environmental Commission, Barry has committed himself to not just saving lives, but also improving the quality of life of his neighbors.
Robert Tracy, Norwood — Rob serves his community as a supervisor for the Borough of Norwood Public Works. Rob helps ensure Norwood’s streets are clean and that Jersey families are safe in the toughest snowstorms. In 2021, Rob worked with first responders to save the lives of a mother and her son when massive rainfall caused a flood to engulf an entire SUV, grabbing hold of the car to keep the swollen brook from sweeping it under the Walnut Street Bridge.
Lisa Blumer, Teaneck — Lisa is a registered nurse and program manager for the Holy Name Palliative and Hospice Care program in Teaneck, where she works every day to treat loved ones with the dignity, care, and respect they deserve. She also is a member of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and Hospice Action Network, where she works to advocate for more resources for health care practitioners, even visiting Washington, D.C., to personally advocate for greater access to quality care for patients with advanced illnesses.
Lauding recipients from further afield in the district, Gottheimer cheered Montvale’s Bryan Cirelli, Park Ridge’s Tammy Levinson, Woodcliff Lake’s Josephine Higgins, Nicholas Soltesz and Peter Wunk of West Milford, Johnny “Johnny Buckets” Jackson of Ridgewood, Chris Brown of Bergenfield, Mary Davis of River Edge, Stephen Mihalovic of Vernon, James “Jay” Ludwig of Ho-Ho-Kus, Ashleigh Mallo of Newton, Dr. Joan Rivitz of Paramus, Paul Rubacky of Ringwood, Moshe Berow of Fair Lawn, Diane Taylor of Lafayette, Tatiana Marquis of Waldwick, and Theresa Johnston of Paramus.
— Via Peter Figueroa, speechwriter for Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5)