Mahwah Township got a new mayor Tuesday morning — after years of contention, lawsuits and mudslinging among officials. Watch video
Mahwah Township got a new mayor Tuesday morning — after years of contention, lawsuits and mudslinging among officials.
John Roth was sworn in by Township Clerk Kathrine Coviello at 9 a.m. in Town Hall during a brief semi-private event.
Roth was joined by his wife, Andrea, who held the Bible while his son Brian looked on.
Roth will take over immediately as mayor of Bergen County’s largest municipality but will be ceremoniously sworn in at the Nov. 29 council meeting.
“It’s a new adventure in my life and a new phase,” Roth said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge and a lot of work. But I’m ready to step up and do it.”
Roth was elected Nov. 6 on the same ballot where former Mayor Bill Laforet was recalled from office. Roth got 5,015 votes to Laforet’s 3,995. Laforet, who served as mayor for seven years, was serving a term that was supposed to expire in 2020.
During Laforet’s time in office the council and mayor butted heads. The township was the subject of numerous lawsuits including two over perceived discrimination over the erection or eruvs and a ban on out-of-state residents using township parks.
Laforet blamed the council for passing the parks ordinance and fashioned himself as a civil rights advocate. Council members said the parks ban was pushed by the mayor until he got information from Police Chief James Batelli about the liability of enforcing it — which Laforet did not share with the council in a timely manner.
The recall of Laforet was launched in January by a group of citizens who were upset about Laforet accusing former DPW Director Ed Sinclair in 2015 of having pornography on his work computer, based on an anonymous letter he received. Sinclair, who ran against Laforet for mayor in 2012, was suspended by Laforet even after an investigation revealed the pornography was not accessed by Sinclair but by another employee. The council reinstated him during a raucous council meeting. Sinclair died a few months later and his family is suing the township for wrongful death saying the stress of the ordeal contributed to his demise.
“Today represents the beginning of a new chapter in Mahwah,” said Melanie Sue, who headed the recall effort.
The recall was approved by voters 4,968 to 4,628, according to official election results that were certified Monday night.
“This should be a message that is heard beyond the boundaries of Mahwah,” she said. “People can make change happen.”
Roth said the one thing that can be changed immediately is the relationship between the mayor and council.
“If we all behave with civility, we can expect the same from everyone else,” Roth said.
Roth previously served 12 years on the council, five years on the school board and two on the planning board. He let his expiring council seat go in 2016 in favor of running for mayor. He lost by less than 100 votes.
“I know the council. I’ve worked with all of them before,” he said. “We get along. I like them. They’re very smart people. I think we can manage this very well.”
Laforet, meanwhile, said he is proud of what’s he’s accomplished during his tenure as mayor — and that this is not the end of his political career.
“My accomplishments over the last seven years have been extraordinary. Lowest taxes in Bergen County, two AAA bond ratings, for six of those years and Mahwah ranked as one of the safest communities in the state,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
Laforet would not elaborate on his future political aspirations.
“Standing up for the civil rights of human beings gives me the strength to look to the future on a bigger stage serving a greater of audience of what taxpayers value the most,” he said. “I leave of the position of mayor … with no regrets and will forever be humbled by the opportunity to serve the residents of Mahwah.”
Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2018/11/new_mayor_sworn_in_after_recall.html