EMERSON, N.J.—A “historic moment” occurred Jan. 2 in Emerson—both for the borough and the role of women in local government.
On Jan. 2, Mayor Danielle DiPaola swore in Republicans Nicole Argenzia and Jill McGuire to the council, along with Democrat Patricia Dinallo, creating for the first time in its history a majority female Borough Council.
Dinallo, who ran in the 2019 election, was appointed to fill the term of councilman Chris Knoller, who resigned in late 2019, a year before his term expired.
Dinallo was summoned from her book club meeting to be sworn in and seated. She told Pascack Press she’ll be sworn in ceremonially at the Jan. 21 meeting—by her sister, the Republican mayor of Ramsey.
For the first time, Emerson’s council is a majority female governing body, said DiPaola following the swearing in.
Together, the three newly sworn councilmembers and DiPaola comprise four of six members of the governing body.
DiPaola called the majority a historic moment for Emerson, noting that the year 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of passage of the federal law that granted women the right to vote.
Republican Councilwoman Jill McGuire, who was appointed early in 2019 to fill Mayor Danielle DiPaola’s unexpired term, was reelected in November by a wide margin along with Republican running mate Nicole Argenzia. Both received 1,072 and 1,047 votes respectively.
“Tonight I feel even more honored to be elected by the Emerson residents,” McGuire said.
She noted the importance of the first majority female council in Emerson on the anniversary of women’s suffrage.
“Still it’s an amazing accomplishment, what has occurred in 100 years; we’ve really come a long way and it’s really special,” she said.
Argenzia, a two-decade resident, thanked all her supporters for their election efforts.
“I’m going to represent them to the best of my abilities and hope that I can be the voice for their community that they’re hoping for and looking for,” she said.