WOODCLIFF LAKE—Two borough leaders are vying to be mayor this Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Mayor Carlos Rendo, a Republican, seeks his second term and is campaigning for reelection, while Democrats have nominated Council President Jacqueline Gadaleta for the job.
Democrats have the majority on the council, controlling five of six seats. Rendo’s only other Republican counterpart, Councilman Corrado Belgiovine, is not seeking reelection, instead campaigning to be a Bergen County Freeholder.
Democrat Councilwoman Angela Hayes seeks reelection, and is joined by nominee Jason H. Lundgren on the Gadaleta ticket. Rendo’s Republican ticket includes council nominees Jennifer Howard and Stephen V. Falanga. The council candidates will be profiled next week, and this article will focus exclusively on the two candidates for mayor.
f We invited the candidates to submit a 250-word statement outlining their backgrounds and issues that are of importance to them; here they are in alphabetical order by last name. Asterisks denote incumbents.
Jacqueline Gadaleta
— Political party: Democrat.
— Age: 55.
— Years of residency: 27.
— Career: Controller for importing company.
— Degrees or certifications: B.A. accounting, MBA in finance
— Family: Husband, Peter; daughters Nicolette and Natalie, 20,
students at GWU.
— Past elected experience: three- term councilwoman and current council president for Woodcliff Lake.
Leadership, experience, collaboration and optimism are characteristics that best describe my candidacy. I’ve been married to my husband, Peter, for 28 years and we’ve been Woodcliff Lake residents for 27 years. Together, we’ve been blessed to raise our two daughters, Nicolette and Natalie, here in Woodcliff Lake, with its superb public-school system, friendly community, pristine environment and top-notch borough services. As my husband, Peter, says after a long day at work: “Coming home to Woodcliff Lake is an escape from the ‘rat race!’”
Over the past seven years, I have been honored to serve the community, first as a three-term Councilwoman and currently as Council President. Over that time, I have led by example and believe strongly in a proactive, hands-on approach to tacking the responsibilities of being a public servant. The town’s residents put their trust in me to ensure that our borough professionals, DPW, Police, and Park and Rec services are at a premium, and that our volunteer Fire Department is respected and outfitted to serve our community to the best of its ability.
The combination of my MBA in Finance and being Controller for an importing company has helped me hone my financial talents and, as a result, allowed me to manage the town’s finances wisely. I have practiced transparency, as we are fortunate to have an educated, articulate and well-informed community, whose thoughts and suggestions need to be heard.
My team and I are adamantly opposed to over-development that destroys the aesthetics of our town, as well as burdens our services, increases traffic and taxes our schools. My goals are to keep taxes in line, improve municipal services, and continue to enhance the charm and beauty of our natural landscape.
If I’m elected Mayor, my team and I will continue to devote our energy, experience and efforts to keeping Woodcliff Lake “Suburbia at its best.”
—Jacqueline Gadaleta
Carlos A. Rendo*
— Party: Republican.
— Age: 55.
— Years of Residency: 19.
— Career: Mulkay and Rendo, P.C. Partner
— Degrees: Rutgers University, B.A.; Temple University School of Law, J.D.
— Elected experience: Woodcliff Lake Mayor, 2016–present; councilman, 2013–2015.
Under my leadership as mayor, Woodcliff Lake has improved its financial position, recently receiving a Standard and Poor’s AAA Bond rating. We have been ranked by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as the seventh best municipality in the state. Throughout my tenure, I have generated over $2.1 million in grant money offsetting tax increases. I have advocated in support of Woodcliff Lake’s green initiatives, including protecting open space and the addition of new walking paths around our reservoir which is scheduled to open Spring of 2020. I introduced the popular Spring Blossom and Oktoberfest community events, as well promoted the arts by establishing the Woodcliff Lake Council on the Arts. I strongly support the Borough’s recreation program, investing in infrastructure improvements to our baseball/softball fields and town pool. I believe that it is the duty of government to be transparent and as such, one of my first initiatives as a councilman included televising live all public meetings, distributing a quarterly newsletter, sharing frequent email updates, and posting Facebook live broadcast before and after every Mayor and Council meeting.
I believe that Woodcliff Lake needs a leader that continues this progress and navigates through difficult challenges. I have taken on these challenges and won. BMW, the fight for fairer school funding formula, the Gables developer lawsuit, and the affordable housing threat. Together we will continue to bring you innovate ideas and tackle new challenges. Let’s continue to Move Woodcliff Lake Forward!
—Carlos Rendo
On Nov. 5, vote for Rendo, Howard and Falanga.
Sample Ballot
