WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.—Borough voters will elect their mayor and two council members while casting ballots for state, county and local officials on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
This week, we’ll take a closer look at the four candidates for Borough Council. Incumbent Councilwoman Angela Hayes seeks reelection alongside Jason H. Lundgren. Republicans have nominated Jennifer Howard and Stephen V. Falanga.
Current Republican Councilman Corrado Belgiovine is not seeking reelection, instead campaigning to be a Bergen County Freeholder.
We invited each candidate to submit a 250-word statement outlining their background and issues that are of importance to them; they appear in alphabetical order by last name. Asterisks denote incumbents.
Stephen V. Falanga
—Party: Republican.
—Age: 52.
—Years of residency: 22.
—Career: Attorney.
—Degrees or certifications: St. Peter’s University, B.A., Boston College Law School, J.D., Fordham University School of Law, L.L.M. (Masters in Law).
—Family: Wife, Peggy; children, Grace, Elisa and Matthew.
— Past elected experience: None.
Stephen Falanga is a partner in the law firm of Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP in Newark. Mr. Falanga heads the firm’s Financial Services and Risk Management Practice Group.
Mr. Falanga is passionate about community service and in particular with advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities. He serves as a volunteer attorney for Volunteer Layers for Justice, offering pro bono legal assistance to children with special needs. He also currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the ARC of Essex County, a community-based organization serving the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mr. Falanga served on the Woodcliff Middle School Safety Committee from 2015–2018 and he served as a trustee of the Woodcliff Lake Educational Foundation (WCELF) for many years.
An avid runner, Mr. Falanga helped organize the Woodcliff Lake Run for Education including serving as chair for a number of years.
Mr. Falanga believes in strong fiscal management and will work to stabilize taxes by pursuing grant opportunities and shared services partnerships with our neighboring communities. He also wants to enhance municipal services including ease of recycling at the town’s Ecology Center.
Mr. Falanga loves the community of Woodcliff Lake and welcomes the opportunity to serve.
—Stephen V. Falanga
Angela Hayes*
— Party: Democratic.
—Age: 46
—Years of residency: 17.
—Career: Environmental engineering, business operations management, owner of structural steel contracting firm.
— Degrees and certifications: MBA, Lehigh University; B.S., College of Engineering and Cook College, Rutgers University.
— Family: Married to Corey; children, Nina and Ryan.
— Elected experience: Woodcliff Lake Borough Council, 2016–present.
For 17 years, I have been proud to call WCL home. It’s where our family has built a solid foundation and lasting friendships. My decision to run for council was motivated by the simple desire to give back to the community that has given me so much.
My focus has included finance, affordable housing, Planning Board, Shade Tree Committee, and Green Team. Along with other members of the Shade Tree Committee, I helped pass a new ordinance to better protect the town.
Most recently, a new enforcement process was put in place to better support the tree ordinance. I remain committed to continuing to improve our neighborhood and am very active in supporting initiatives like the Reservoir Walkway project.
As a member of the Finance Committee, I have been thoroughly involved in budget recommendations. I stand firmly on the importance of due diligence to make sound decisions. My experience as a current councilwoman along with my engineering and business operations skills will continue to serve as a major asset to Woodcliff Lake.
I am committed to maintaining WCL’s reputation as a strong school district and sought after community. I firmly believe in transparent government and carefully monitored low-impact development in order to maintain WCL’s charm. I’d like to finish what I started and ask for your vote Nov. 5.
—Angela Hayes
Jennifer Howard
— Party: Republican.
—Age: 43.
—Years of residency: 7.
—Career: Adjunct professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences at Westchester Community College.
— Degrees and certifications: M.A., forensic psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
— Family: Husband, Brandon Benson; daughter, Charlotte; stepson, Jorge.
Jennifer Howard is an East Side resident focused on thoughtful master planning for the future in Woodcliff Lake. She opposes over-development in our quaint borough, particularly as it relates to the Broadway Corridor. Ms. Howard believes that maintaining our high educational standards and expanding our Parks and Recreation programs are key to the borough’s continued growth and success. She supports the health and wellness initiatives for youth and adults in our community.
Ms. Howard has over a decade of professional experience building and sustaining community coalitions, as well as securing grant funding at the state and local level. She believes these skills will be of great value to the borough in its efforts to develop and expand current programs and initiatives.
Ms. Howard is committed to thoughtful fiscal planning and transparency in local government.
—Jennifer Howard
Jason H. Lundgren
— Party: Democratic.
— Age: 43
— Years of residency in town: 10.
— Career: Television producer and writer.
— Degrees and certifications: B.A., communications, Bridgewater State College
— Family: Wife, Laura Lundgren; children, Samuel Lundgren and Isla Lundgren.
— Past elected experience: None.
When my wife and I moved to Woodcliff Lake 10 years ago we did so purposefully. We loved the big beautiful yards filled with trees, the excellent school system, and the low tax rate. For us, no other town would do. Now that I have become a member of this community, volunteering as a coach or at the school and being part of Woodcliff Lake’s Green Team, I want to preserve the characteristics that drew us here. I know that new development is inevitable but I want to make sure we are smart about it without excluding families with lesser means and not putting unneeded stress on our infrastructure. I want to preserve the natural beauty of the borough and make sure Woodcliff Lake is not only ahead of the curve but is a leader in sustainability and green practices. I want to ensure the schools have every resource they need from the town so my kids can keep being proud they attend one of the highest rated schools in the nation. And I want to keep working to keep our taxes at a minimum while also moving our services ahead.
I have always been a hard working self-starter and I intend on bringing that attitude to the Woodcliff Lake council and lead with integrity. For me it is community first and politics second.
—Jason H. Lundgren
Sample Ballot
